Specialist rodent control from the experts

When you have a rodent problem, you want them gone and you want them gone fast! However, eliminating a rodent problem is often a bit more difficult than simply buying some bait from the hardware store, throwing it in the roof void and hoping the problem will be solved. Success in controlling rats and mice comes from understanding which rodent is causing the problem, applying the appropriate treatment and correcting the conditions that allowed the rodents to enter the building in first place, so that re-infestation does not occur.

Typically rodent control programs use baits that are toxic to other animals, so attention to safety is vital in any treatment. Gold Coast Pest Services have a range of products that allow bait to be applied safely or, in cases where baits may not be appropriate, we can utilise a range of alternative (non-bait) techniques to get control.

Whether at home or in a business, Gold Coast Pest Services can provide control programs to eliminate your rodent problem.

What rodent control programs do we provide?

The first part of any rodent control program is to carry out an inspection. It is vital to identify the species, map the areas of activity, understand how it is accessing the property and if possible locate the nest. The correct pest control program can then be put in place to solve the problem. This may involve the use of rodent baits or traps to control the non-native species, or traps to remove and re-home any native species. 

A rodent control program will require our qualified technicians to determine how many stations or traps are required depending on the size of the home, the surrounding environment and the severity of the infestation. For more involved problems or serious infestations, it may take several visits to gain control and sometimes an ongoing control program may need to be put in place.  

The use of any rodent product not only takes into account the species, but any safety considerations – children, pets, food areas, etc. We always use lockable bait stations in our baiting programs and stations will be placed out of the reach of children and pets. However, sometimes this is not possible and so alternative techniques, such as traps, may need to be used.

How to keep rats and mice out of your home

There are two main activities homeowners and business owners can carry out to minimise the chances of rodents or possums taking up residence.

1) Rodent / possum proof the building

• Seal any holes / cracks in the floors, walls and roofing

• Remove vegetation from the immediate perimeter of the building

• Prune any branches overhanging the building 

 2) Improve sanitation

• Place garbage in sealed, rodent proof containers

• All stored food to be place in sealed, rodent-proof containers

• Do not leave pet food outside

• For chickens, rabbits and any other animal that is provided with grain foods, implement a feeding regime that minimises waste food that would be available to rodents. 

More tips on how to rodent proof your home…

More information on rats and mice...

Rodents and possums (which are marsupials), are nocturnal animals. They feed on a wide range of food materials and are more than happy to live around buildings which provide many nesting areas in a warm, safe environment... with a readily available supply of food and water!

When they move into our buildings they are certainly unwanted guests disturbing us with their activities: causing physical damage to buildings and wiring, consuming and contaminating food and making noise. Rodents are associated with the spread of several diseases such as typhus, salmonella, Weil's disease and Rat-bite fever. These are either spread by the rats directly or by the fleas and ticks they carry. Their presence can also set off allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

With the ability of rats and mice to breed quickly, numbers can quickly get out of control. If you suspect a rodent problem, quick action is key.

There are 3 rodents that are commonly found in and around houses and commercial buildings. These are the common mouse, the roof rat (or black rat or ship rat) and the brown rat (Norway rat or sewer rat). 

Identifying the species is a bit trickier than comparing the rodent to these photos as colour and size can vary greatly.... and often you will not get more than a fleeting glimpse of the rodent (if you are lucky). Our inspections will look for other evidence, droppings, gnaw marks, damage and nesting sites. Depending on the species the rodents may be nesting in the roof, in the walls, in your cupboards or furniture or in burrows outside. With rats often travelling up to 400m from their nest to their feedings sites, if often takes a bit of detective work out what is going on and then design the appropriate treatment program.

There are four native animals whose activities may also be confused with these rodents. Antechinus can be confused with the house mouse, the native bush rat can be confused with the black rat, and sometimes even brush-tailed and ting-tailed possums can be confused with the brown rat.  

Of course it is illegal to harm any native wildlife, so identification and treatment of suspected rodent problems is a job best left to the professionals.