Hello again — Craig here. Rodents (rats and mice) are among the most common and troublesome pests we deal with at Combined Pest Control. They sneak in silently — but leave behind noise, damage, and contamination. Let me tell you how they work and what you can do about them.

Why rodents invade (especially in cooler months)

As winter approaches and food outside becomes scarce, rodents look for warmth, shelter, and easy access to food. Inside homes, barns, sheds — these all look inviting.

Also, rodents reproduce rapidly. Under ideal conditions, one pair of mice can multiply in a single season. So what might start as a minor problem can escalate fast.

How rodents access your home

• Rats can squeeze through gaps about the size of a thumb; mice, a little finger.
• They enter via breather holes, gaps around pipes, roof vents, or via overhanging trees or branches.
• Once inside wall cavities, they climb, nest, gnaw wiring, insulation, wood — damage is almost inevitable.

Signs you have rodents

• Scratching or scampering noises in roof or walls (especially at night)
• Droppings (small pellets) in cupboards, along skirting boards
• Chewed wiring, insulation, paper, packaging
• Smell of ammonia or stale odour in enclosed spaces
• Tooth marks or gnawed wood or plastic

If a rodent dies inside a wall cavity, we can’t always retrieve it — but we can offer odor-removing sachets to reduce smell.

How we treat rodent problems

• Use lockable bait stations (indoors or outdoors) that are safe for pets and children.
• Place bait strategically based on tracking and signs.
• Offer you service plans (monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly) to maintain control over time.
• Seal access points and reinforce weak areas (walls, eaves, vents, around pipes).
• Monitor and adjust treatments as needed (rodents can become “bait shy”).

We caution people not to scatter loose bait, and if your pet were to access it, vets know how to respond (Vitamin K1 is the antidote).

What you can do (your side of it)

• Trim branches and tree limbs at least 1 metre from the roofline.
• Seal gaps in walls, under floorboards, around pipes.
• Keep food stored securely and clean up crumbs, scraps promptly.
• Maintain cleanliness in garages, sheds — don’t give rodents hiding spots.
• Use rodent-proof bins or containers for compost, feed, or scrap food.

If you start hearing noises or seeing signs, don’t wait — call us before the issue escalates. We’ll come out, do a full inspection, and get ahead of the problem.

All the best,
Craig — Combined Pest Control