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Types of Rodents Typically Found in Victoria

  • House Mouse (Mus musculus): Small, grey-brown; often inside homes, sheds, and commercial buildings; contaminates food and damages insulation/wiring.
  • Roof Rat / Black Rat (Rattus rattus): Slender climber; nests in roofs, ceilings, and trees; gnaws wires, wood, and insulation.
  • Norway Rat / Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus): Larger; prefers ground-level nests, gardens, and sheds; chews wires, wood, and soft metals; carries diseases.
  • Native Rodents: Bush rats or swamp rats occasionally enter properties; can damage gardens and structures.
Rodents in Victoria

How to Identify if You Have a Rodent Problem

  • Noises at Night: Scratching, gnawing, or scampering sounds in walls, ceilings, or roof spaces.
  • Droppings & Urine: Small, dark, cylindrical droppings or strong ammonia-like odour around kitchens, pantries, and storage areas.
  • Property Damage: Chewed wires, insulation, vents, cupboards, or stored goods.
  • Nesting Signs: Shredded paper, fabric, leaves, or soft materials in hidden areas like cupboards, roof cavities, or basements.
  • Sightings: Rodents seen in attics, garages, basements, or outside around food and water sources.
  • Food Contamination: Gnawed packaging, droppings in stored food, or hoarded food in hidden locations.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s likely you have a rodent problem that requires professional inspection and safe management.

Rodent Problem Identification

Rodent Behaviour

  • Nocturnal Activity: Most rodents are active at night, foraging for food and water while avoiding humans.
  • Gnawing: Continuously gnaw on wood, wires, plastic, and packaging to keep their teeth sharp and prevent overgrowth.
  • Nesting: Build nests in hidden, warm, and sheltered areas such as roof cavities, wall voids, basements, and sheds.
  • Climbing & Jumping: Agile climbers and jumpers, roof rats can access high areas including ceilings, roof spaces, and trees.
  • Rapid Breeding: Female rodents can reproduce multiple times per year, quickly increasing infestation if not controlled.
  • Food Hoarding: Collect and store food in hidden locations, contaminating it with droppings and urine.

Understanding rodent behaviour allows for targeted treatment and prevention, reducing the risk of property damage and health hazards.

Rodent Behaviour

Risks & Impacts of Rodent Infestations

  • Health Risks: Rodents carry diseases such as Hantavirus, Leptospirosis, Salmonella, and Rat-bite fever.
  • Food Contamination: Droppings, urine, and hair can contaminate stored food, making it unsafe to consume.
  • Property Damage: Chewing wires, insulation, wood, and soft metals can cause structural damage and fire hazards.
  • Rapid Infestation: Rodents breed quickly, increasing the scale of damage and health risks in a short time.
  • Allergens & Odours: Urine, droppings, and nesting materials can trigger allergies, asthma, and unpleasant odours.
  • Impact on Gardens & Landscaping: Rodents can damage plants, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and lawns.

Rodent infestations pose serious health and property risks, making early detection and professional management essential for safety and peace of mind.

Rodent Infestation Risks

Our Rodent Control Process

  • Inspection: Comprehensive assessment of the property to identify rodent species, entry points, and nesting areas.
  • Treatment: Safe, effective rodent baits, traps, and exclusion techniques applied to key areas including roof cavities, walls, and storage spaces.
  • Proofing & Exclusion: Seal cracks, gaps, vents, and potential entry points to prevent re-entry.
  • Prevention Plan: Recommendations for hygiene, waste management, and property maintenance to reduce future rodent activity.
  • Eco-Friendly & Safe: All treatments are family- and pet-safe, environmentally responsible, and compliant with Australian standards.

Our professional approach ensures rodents are effectively removed while minimising risks to people, pets, and the environment.

Rodent Control Process

Prevention Tips

  • Seal all cracks, gaps, vents, and holes in walls, roofs, and foundations to prevent entry.
  • Keep food stored in sealed containers and maintain clean kitchen and pantry areas.
  • Remove clutter and debris from inside and around the property to reduce hiding places.
  • Maintain gardens and trim trees or shrubs away from the building exterior.
  • Regularly empty bins and ensure lids are secure to prevent attracting rodents.
  • Install rodent-proof screens on vents, chimneys, and exhausts where possible.
  • Schedule regular inspections and professional pest control to catch early infestations.

Consistently following these prevention tips helps protect your home or business from rodents and reduces the need for reactive treatments.

Rodent Prevention Tips