With More Than 15 Years’ Experience in Possums and Pest Management , 1800 Possums Makes Taking Care Of Your Possum, Rodent And Pest Problems Simple.
Rats and mice are rodents. Some of our clients refer to possums as rodents too but they are not and nor do they behave the same. We have created this page to help you understand some of the habits and behaviours of rodents that will help you when dealing with them.
Is a Dead Rat Better Than a Living One?
This is your call, we are humane in every way possible and happy to discuss options for humanely treating your rodent issue, the options below should be considered when making these choices. As possum people we avoid baiting any roof or building cavity until we are certain there is no risk of harming our possum friends by allowing them to access baits.
Rats are Neo but rarely disappear into the Matrix!
Rats are neophobic, thats not a super hero, it means they don’t like new things. This effects us when applying any sort of edible baits or traps. As a general rule it can take up to 2 weeks for a rat to decide to eat anything new in its immediate territory. Anytime rat noises begin in your roof it can take 2 weeks to resolve.
Rule of thumb !
Get back home no matter how hard it is! And it only takes rats a thumb hole to squeeze back into your building and mice a little finger. Where possible you may have entry points identified and sealed. Some companies offer rodent prevention at a fee but it’s nearly impossible or very expensive to truely rodent proof an entire building. We have solutions like gutter guard and weepa seals that reduce activity but it rarely comes with a guarantee across the whole building, unfortunately baiting is the only thing we can guarantee.
Eat Sh#t
Rats are common where you find possums. They eat their poo. It’s gross but true! This applies for a few animals including chickens. Any building with possums or chickens near buy is at a higher risk of having rodents eventually.
Heading out for a Drink?
Many pest managers claim rodents will feel thirsty and head outside when effected by rodenticide. We wont lie to you. There is no guarantee. Imagine a thirsty rat pokes its head our of your roof and finds a gutter full of water. Sip sip and back into the roof or wall. Its not ideal but we want to avoid surprises, so there it is. Peace of mind in knowing 1 in every 20 jobs we have clients dealing with a smell for a few days and then the problem is resolved and most have decided a dead rat in the wall is better than a living one.
Put on some Pink Floyd!
Ok so if you want a hole in the wall you know what to do. If the album isn’t resolving the issue then maybe we can help. Rats, mice and possums live in walls. We can often identify whats in your wall BEFORE it dies. Heat cameras can be used in emergency cases to assist in correct treatments. Unfortunately this does not work as well if animals die within your building.
Long in The Teeth?
Rats have ever growing teeth. Yep they constantly deal with their two front teat pushing out their mouths. Unfortunately for our buildings they have a solution for this, CHEW! Yes that gnawing or sometimes tapping noise you hear is them literally eating your timber, plastic, rubber, even metal fittings and structure within your roof and wall cavities.
Male rodents get around!
Male rats have multiple partners and colonies. This effects our treatments as we often resolve the issue and provide peace and quiet for weeks, then suddenly there is a bigger, noisier visitor back in the roof or walls. Once again neophobia passes and within 2 weeks the problem is solved due to remaining baits waiting for hungry, house eating rats. Treating as soon as or before initial rat noises arrive is best way to keep on-top of these critters.
Eats Everything!
Omnivorous is the term. Plants or meats no problem. And also as discussed, our buildings. This is good to know when trying to limit activity around the house. Dog food, cat food, chicken food, any fruit or vegetables. All on the menu. With this in mind its essential to keep food sources to a minimum in order to reduce activity and ensure rats actually eat any baits laid out. No use trying to feed a rat thats already happy dining on its favourite dish of Chum every night.
Scary Mice!
OK a mouse phobia is totally accepted in our industry, they are sneaky little critters and can actually frighten the hell out of the toughest of us. This is perhaps due to their inquisitiveness. Mice are the opposite to rats, they love new things! Leave something to eat in a mouses path and there is a dam good chance they will have a nibble. All you need to do is find their path and make sure they have reduced choice of foods. This is important to note as mice will eat the first crumb they find, so imagine a tiny mouse in a messy kitchen…soooooo much to choose from its not likely to head for anything you want them to eat. A major clean up of problem areas is vital in keeping mice at bay and helping attract them to any baits or traps.