Also on this page Rat Control Mouse Control Rodent Baiting Rodent Trapping

Rodent Projects

Read about some of our recent rodent projects below.

• Rats
• Mice
• Rats and mice

Rodent management may require a reactive response to remove an existing rodent infestation, or it may be proactive to avoid rodents becoming established. In both cases, regular monitoring is essential to ensure control is accurately targeted to remove the problem.

Rat and mouse control can use rodent bait stations if wide area control is required, or if rodents have become trap shy. Alternatively, trapping can be employed if specific animals need to be removed, or if the use of toxins is unacceptable.

Contact us if you have a rodent problem, or complete our enquiry form.

Pest: Rats and Mice

Location: Childcare centre, Epsom, Auckland

The Problem

Situated in an older home, the centre noticed mouse droppings in storage cupboards and signs of rats in the roof space when installing new insulation.

Pest Assessment

Our Pest Assessment confirmed:

• mouse activity was widespread throughout the house
• animal sign was old so occurrence was infrequent
• signs of rats was restricted to the roof space
• an examination of adjoining properties found compost heaps and other sources of continual rat infestation

Our Solution

A rodent control network of permanent and locked mouse bait stations was discretely installed throughout the house where they were inaccessible to children. Locked rat bait stations were installed in the roof space and under the floor.

All bait stations are checked on a three monthly rotation and bait take from each station is recorded and replenished. A comparison of bait take between checks indicates areas and intensity of rodent activity, and this has consistently fallen since the control network was installed.

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Pest: Rats

Location: Transport terminal, Mangere, Auckland

The Problem

Rats gaining entry to the ceiling cavities of the building had gnawed on plastic water pipes connected to air conditioning units. The resultant water leaks had caused ceiling areas to become flooded and to collapse into offices below resulting in further water damage to carpets and furniture. The cost to reinstate the plumbing, repair the ceilings and remediate the flood damage totalled several thousand dollars.

Pest Assessment

Our Pest Assessment confirmed that the point of entry was a services cupboard associated with the fire sprinkler system. Rats were climbing along the sprinkler pipes and had learnt to chew through the plastic pipes to access water in an area where there was no freely available water.

Our Solution

We installed a mixed network of rodent bait stations and baited traps throughout the area with a concentration on likely focus points, such as where pipes were cut through walls. This mix of control devices was chosen as some rats are suspicious of new items and will not approach them. All devices were checked and rebaited as necessary and rodent control continued until no further sign of rats was evident.

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Pest: Mice

Location: Executive home, Lifestyle property, Huapai

The Problem

Mice entering the walls, ceiling and kitchen of a large executive home on a lifestyle property.

Pest Assessment

Our Pest Assessment confirmed mice were gaining access by climbing wiring in the walls of the house and moving along plumbing pipes under the floor. The problem was principally a result of mice moving inside for food, shelter and nesting material during cold winter nights.

Our Solution

A widespread network of secure rodent bait stations was established under the extensive decks and in the ceiling space. These were:

• locked to prevent children and pets having access to the poison baits
• labeled with warning signs, numbered and mapped for easy relocation
• regularly checked to determine the scope and intensity of mouse activity
• maintained in place until mouse activity ceased

Bait station results show that mouse activity can increase 130% in 13 days. By monitoring the trend of mouse activity our clients can have confidence that no residual population of mice remains after control is completed.

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Pest: Rats

Location: Private home, Manurewa, Auckland

The Problem

Rats living in a firewood store were moving about under the house and entering buildings. The homeowner's efforts to trap the rats had been unsuccessful as the rodents had learnt how to avoid capture.

Pest Assessment

Our Pest Assessment identified:

• the source of the infestation was a stack of kindling wood and paper in the firewood store
• key movement routes used by the rats under the house
• other potential rodent harbourages around the property, especially garden debris

Our Solution

Locked rodent bait stations were installed at the rodent nest, along all rat movement routes, and in other potential harbourages. These stations prevented children gaining access to the toxic bait and they were hidden to reduce tampering. All bait stations were loaded with a maximum bait load. Bait checks at 10-day intervals showed all the bait was eaten in the first period and subsequent checks confirmed the rat infestation was completely removed.

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Pest: Rats

Location: Private home, Mt Roskill, Auckland

The Problem

Rats gaining access to the ceiling space of the house had gnawed on cables and caused multiple breaks to wiring for the burglar alarm and telephone and internet connections. This damage had cost several hundred dollars to repair.

Pest Assessment

Our Pest Assessment identified the main areas of rodent activity in the ceiling space, but the rodent's entry point was not accessible because of the shape of the roof. The homeowner wanted a quick resolution to the problem to minimise the chance of further damage being caused.

Our Solution

A large number of traps were distributed throughout the ceiling space and were baited with a favoured food. These were strategically placed on ceiling joists that rodents were using to move between the ceiling insulation. Traps were checked every few days and trapping continued until there was no further evidence of rodents in the ceiling space.

For further examples of our rodent control experience see our Pest Wildlife Projects page.

Contact us if you have a rodent problem and we will deal with it for you.

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