As the temperature drops in Mackay and the cane crushing season kicks off, you may notice an increase in Rodent activity.
Accurately identifying the type of Rodent is crucial for developing an effective treatment plan to eliminate these troublesome pests from your home.
Before using any poison in or around your home, it is essential to seek assistance from professionals to properly identify the animals residing in your home. The noises you hear could potentially be a possum, Bandicoot, or another native creature seeking shelter from the cold.
Simple adjustments around the house may be all that is needed to protect our native wildlife and keep our homes free of rodent infestations!
Types of Rodents - Identification
Rodents are like those elusive party guests who only show up when everyone else has gone home. But fear not, they always leave a little surprise behind - their not-so-subtle calling card: droppings! It's like they're signing their name with a flourish. So, if you ever play detective, just follow the trail of droppings to uncover their sneaky presence and help you identify a friend or foe!
How Do Pest Professionals Get Rid of Mice & Rats?
The initial step in addressing a rodent issue is to conduct an inspection with three main objectives:
Identify the species
Determine the extent of the infestation and locate any nests if possible
Spot potential entry points into the property
The treatment plan will be based on the inspection findings, influencing the choice of products and the positioning of baits or traps. Baits typically offer the most effective and rapid control of a rodent problem.
Depending on the seriousness of the infestation, multiple visits by our team may be necessary before complete elimination is achieved. We strongly recommend a follow-up visit in 1 -2 weeks time for active Rodent infestations.
Rodent baits are are our most common go to. These come in many forms; blocks, soft baits, powders and liquids and the type used depends on the Rodent identified. Traps may be considered in situations where safety is a concern.
Rodenticides are the killing agent that are used in Rodent baits. Many are anti-coagulants and are best left for the professionals. This is due to issues around safety of second degree poisoning and Rodenticide resistance that can occur in areas with frequent baiting.
During our visit, we'll suggest measures to prevent rodents from entering the building.
It may be required to engage a builder or handyman to implement the recommendations to ensure a successful treatment.
Safe Use of Rodent Baits
When establishing a rodent control plan, the pest manager will conduct a risk assessment and address any specific safety concerns.
Three key safety considerations include:
The presence of children
The presence of pets and other animals
Risk of secondary poisoning (when animals consume rodents that have ingested bait).
These factors will determine the choice of products All Things Pest Control will use and influence the placement of bait/traps.
Secondary Poisoning from Rodent Baiting
Regarding secondary poisoning, a recent study on powerful owl deaths in Melbourne revealed that over 80% of the owls had detectable levels of rodenticide in their bodies, with more than 60% having toxic levels.
The study suggested that the public may unintentionally or intentionally poison possums, which are then consumed by the owls. This highlights the importance of engaging a professional pest manager for rodent control programs.
Do Rodents Die Outside When Poisoned?
It’s a bit of an urban myth that rodents that are affected by bait go outside to die. Some will go outside to look for water as they get thirsty when affected by bait. However, if a water or food source is close by in the home, most will die in or close to their nest. This is why it is important to try and identify the nest(s) so that the dead rodents can be removed.
Obviously with traps, there is no danger of a dead rodent dying within a wall cavity.
If a rodent does happen to die in an void that is inaccessible to our technicians, All Things Pest Control can provide odour neutralizer sprays or bags that will absorb the smell!
How to Prevent A Rodent Infestation
Why did the rodent bring a suitcase to the building? To look for a five-star hotel with complimentary meals, of course!
Tips to Outsmart Those Sneaky Rodents:
All stored food needs to be locked up like a treasure chest, or the rodents will have a feast!
Rubbish should be kept in bins that even Houdini couldn't escape from.
Pet food is for pets, not for uninvited rodent guests.
Implement a feeding schedule for animals to avoid turning your place into a rodent buffet.
Don't give rodents a reason to throw a party - clean up spills and dirty dishes pronto!
Pet food on the ground is like a five-star buffet for rodents - keep it out of reach!
Seal up food like it's the last slice of pizza - rodents will do anything for a nibble.
Seal & block any holes & cracks in the floors, walls and roofing.
Seal gaps around pipework.
Protect weep holes with specialised weep hole protectors.
Make it difficult for rats to access the roof by pruning any branches that overhang the building.
Make the perimeter of the building less attractive for rodents to build their burrows by removing any dense vegetation or long grass.
Rest assured, rodents are not the sole creatures seeking a snug refuge in your home. Should you detect any pests making an unwelcome appearance, confidently reach out to the specialists at All Things Pest Control in Mackay.
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