No one expects to share their home with uninvited guests of the four-legged kind, but for tenants and homeowners across Auckland, living with rodents is a daily reality. Long summers create optimal breeding conditions for rodents, and cool winters draw them inside, rightfully upsetting residents. 

While many people bury their heads in the sand after seeing a solo mouse in or near their home, left unresolved, a rat or mouse problem can soon escalate, causing unseen damage to the electrical systems and structure of your home. As rodent control experts, we’re sharing a few of the most common signs to look out for, so you can act quickly before the problem gets out of control.

When an intruder comes to your house, there are telltale signs that will let you know something is amiss. Here are the most common:

Signs Your Building May Have A Rodent Problem

If you suspect your home may have a rat or mouse problem, there are a few common hallmarks to look out for. If you identify any of these in or around your home, call our rodent control team for further investigation.

• Rodent Droppings

One of the most obvious signs that you have a rodent problem is the presence of droppings in your home. Rat droppings are shiny, black, and 12-18mm long, while mouse droppings are smaller with slightly tapered ends. Droppings will likely be found in areas of high rodent traffic, such as cupboards under the sink and around food. 

• Gnaw & Scratch Marks

Known for their gnawing habits, rodents will chew through almost anything. Gnawed food packaging is a sure sign that rodents have been in your home, but you may also find bite and scratch marks on walls, floors and pipes. 

• Nocturnal Noises

Rats and mice are nocturnal, meaning that they’re most active after dusk. So, while you may not have seen any rodents scurrying around your home, you’re likely to hear them as you try to drift off to sleep. From the rustling of nesting to the screeching of fights, rodent noises are unmistakable.

Why Rodent Removal Is Necessary

Although the phrase may be “breeding like rabbits”, “breeding like rodents” may be a more accurate way to describe the prolific nature of mice and rats. Both have a gestation period of less than a month, meaning that in as little as a year, two rats can become 1,250. 

While it’s unlikely you’d let the problem get this out of control, every month that you ignore the problem, it becomes exponentially bigger. Each of those rodents has the potential to destroy the cables, wires, piping and wood that lies within your walls and ceiling. Not to mention spreading a range of diseases. 

Rat Exterminator Auckland

With over 35 years in the rodent control industry, Ajet Services Pest Control is your trusted rat and mouse exterminator. Our team has the equipment and experience to stop rodents in their tracks with minimal disruption to you. If you have a rodent infestation, addressing it quickly is the best course of action. Speak to a member of the team for an obligation-free quote.