Needing Urgent Rodent Control in the Hills District? Weird Noises in Your Roof?
Spring Season Sends Rodents, Other Small Pests Indoors
As the leaves change colour and the warmer weather arrives, many small pests will begin to look for shelter indoors – and homes are the perfect refuge from all types of weather conditions.
A1 Pest Control reminds homeowners of the importance that exclusion can play in keeping pests such as rodents and other small animals from becoming unwelcome houseguests during the warmer months. It’s that time of year again, so you may have noticed mice starting to enter your home.
Here Are Some Hints for Keeping the Mice Out
A1 Pest Control reminds homeowners of the importance that exclusion can play in keeping pests such as rodents and other small animals from becoming unwelcome houseguests during the warmer months. It’s that time of year again, so you may have noticed mice starting to enter your home.
Here Are Some Hints for Keeping the Mice Out
Exclusion is the most successful and permanent form of home mouse control. Seal all gaps larger than 6-8 mm around entry points into your home with wire, caulk or other building materials.
Your yard should be free of debris. Ideally your wood pile should be away from the house.
Remove weeds, rake leaves out away from the house, secure wheely bins and garbage bins and try not to have them in your garage.
If you store dog food or bird seed in your garage have it in a sealed container. And if you are having problems with mice please call, we’d be happy to help.
Rodents will always be looking for a nice comfy nook in your house to set up their own home!
RATS!
Who needs them and who invited them anyway? Apart from spreading disease and fear, they can also cause other problems to your home and business.
The biggest pest species found in Sydney’s Hills District are the brown Norway Rat and the Black (Roof) Rat.
The most important and prevalent rat in the Hills District is the Norway Rat. A large bodied brown rodent, it is also referred to as a common or street/sewer rat. You will be aware of infestations through evidence of gnawing and an abundance of blunt ended droppings.
The average length from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail, which is quite short in relation to the rest of the body, is around 40 centimetres long and they can weigh up to 340 grams. Their fur ranges in colour from reddish brown to dark grey and due to high variation amongst rats, fur colour is not a reliable way to tell one rat from another.
Even though the Norway rats have only small ears their hearing is fine tuned and highly accurate. Not so their sense of sight. Relying on their keen sense of smell and taste, their eyes perform poorly and they are colour blind. Rats are what is called `crepuscular’ creatures, which means they are active around sunset and sunrise, but not during the day or the middle of the night. Norway rats are known to be exceptional leapers, runners, and swimmers as well as being capable of climbing pipes, bricks and tree trunks.
Contrary to its name, the Norway rat is originally from Eastern Asia but was readily spread by human movement over the last few centuries. It is especially adept at living with humans and tends to thrive in both urban and rural settings.
Norway rats tend to dig their burrows into the soil to use them as a shelter. Nesting sites within these burrows are common.
Within cities, they use the same tactics, using drains, sewers and holes in construction sites as homes!
Managing rodent infestations is usually a combination of exclusion (sealing up places that allow rats to come in and out of your house), trapping and baiting.
Rodents are quite crafty and complex and control of rats is a serious business that is best left to pest management professionals, so please call A1 Pest Control on 0417 251 911 or email bruce@A1PestControl.com.au if you are finding evidence of rodents in your home.
More Tips!Did You Know:
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- Mice are the number one cause of unexplained fires because of their tendency to gnaw on wires?
- Mice can contaminate food and transmit various pathogens, such as Salmonella, the causative agent of food poisoning, by walking across various foods or food preparation surfaces?
- Adults can produce nearly 40 offspring per year over four litters.
- Rodents carry disease, cause fires and property damage.
- The real concern is that rodents and other smaller pests pose serious health threats by contaminating food and transmitting bacteria.
- Mice and rats can spread diseases like Salmonella and Hantavirus.
- Rodents also put homes at risk for electrical fires by gnawing on wires and cause leaks by chewing through water lines.
- We know that exclusion (pest-proofing) is not always easy, but it’s important for homeowners to spend some time over the next few weeks taking steps to protect their properties from dangerous pests.
To Prevent Rodents From Inhabiting Your Home:
- Restrict all potential sources of water, especially dripping taps, leaking pipes and pooled water in your sub-floor.
- Firewood and long grass provide perfect havens and hiding places for our furry friends. Store firewood well away from the house and keep grass and shrubs cut short.
- Inspect all incoming food items before bring inside, store grain and cereals in airtight containers. Get rid of garbage promptly and make sure all bins are sealed and kept away form your home..
COMMERCIAL PEST PREVENTION TIPS
Prevention is critical in protecting you business from a pest infestation.
- Below are some tips to use in your commercial business which will help you avoid health and property risks that come with rat and mice infestations.
- “Pest-proof” your business by being vigilant of building maintenance needs.
- Dispose of garbage regularly and store in sealed containers.
- Seal cracks and holes on the outside of your business, including entry points for utilities and pipes.
- Don’t overlook proper drainage at the foundation; install gutters or diverts, which will channel water away from the building.
- Be sure your employees keep food sealed and stored properly.
- Clean high-volume areas daily, such as public eating areas and kitchenettes, where crumbs and rubbish are more likely to build up.
Call A1 today on 0417 251 911, your local Sydney Commercial Pest Control Specialists!