They are major pests because they are commonly found near human dwellings and are most likely to benefit from human structures, food and waste. They are curious, focused, flexible, tireless, adaptable little creatures and can have a huge negative impact on your home or business. Rats and mice pose an issue for humans living within the same vicinity for a number of reasons. They can:

• Chew through electrical wires and cause fires.
• Destroy property and belongings such as clothing.
• Eat drywall and tear insulation.
• Die in your walls, or hidden corners creating foul odors.
• Leave droppings behind.
• Make disturbing noises in your rooms, walls and attic.

Rats and mice are both capable of transmitting disease to humans through their hair, droppings and urine. A single mouse can excrete 40 to 100 droppings per day.

Rats and mice might also bite, although it is not common. Sometimes a bite can result in rat-bite fever, a potentially fatal disease if not treated. Some people develop an allergic reaction to the excrement of rats or house mice, which can cause asthma-related symptoms.

In addition to causing disease, food contamination by rats and mice can cause billions of dollars in damage. A single rat can consume about 1 ounce of food per night. Some rat colonies can harbor more than 100 rats.

By their nature, rodents are conditioned to expand their nests. They’ll never stop multiplying, and they’ll chew through everything in order to make more room.

The following signs most definately tell you of an impending disaster of rodent infestation:

• Droppings: House mouse droppings may be either soft and moist or dried and hard.
• The droppings measure about 1/8-1/4 inch long. They are rod shaped and pointed on the ends.
• Tracks: House mice leave 4-toed prints with their front feet and 5-toed prints with their hind feet.
• Rub marks: House mice often leave oily rub marks on walls along which they travel.
• Burrows: House mice burrow using nesting materials such as insulation.
• Runways: House mice usually use the same pathways. Active runways are sometimes visible, with rub marks, droppings, and footprints along them.
• Odor: The odor of house mouse urine may become distinct if there is a large number of house mice in a particular area. House mice use their strong-smelling urine to communicate with one another.
• Damaged goods: Mice prefer seeds or cereals but will readily eat insects trapped on glue boards.
• Actual rodent: If you see a mouse scurrying across the kitchen floor, there is likely a family of mice hiding out of sight.

Rats and mice are successful breeders. A female rat can reproduce every three weeks, and usually gives birth to about six to 10 young at one time. A female mouse reproduces every three to four weeks and usually gives birth to about five or six young, although sometimes up to 12. This means that both rat and mice colonies can grow large very quickly, although rats only live for about a year. Mice can live up to two or three years under ideal conditions. An integrated pest management approach using a combination of control measures (e.g. improving hygiene, proofing) is necessary in order to gain control of a rodent infestation. Baiting alone is not sufficient. A thorough survey of the infested site before treatment begins is an essential key to success when using any rodenticide. It is important to determine the exact source of the infestation so that the problem can be tackled at source. Typical signs of an infestation are the smudge marks left by a rodent’s oily hair, its droppings and any damage to goods or structures. Draw up a simple site plan or location list identifying areas of particular concern pertinent to the site and retain this on file.

To effectively control rat and mouse problems there are four golden rules which should be followed:

• Identification - By observing the rodent's identifying characteristics and by inspecting its droppings, you will know which of the three typical species you are dealing with and will then be able to focus on the correct tactics to eliminate the problem. Mice and rats have significantly different behaviour patterns and need to be controlled differently.
• Sanitation - Removing the rodent's food sources is a key factor in successful rodent control. Garbage, food or feed should be stored in sealed containers. Outside debris and vegetation, particularly where it is in contact with buildings, should be removed. In addition try to reduce the number of extraneous water sources where rodents are able to drink such as ditches, stagnant pools, fountains and ponds, etc.
• Rodent proofing - Keeping rodents out of buildings by closing off the typical places where they can gain access, is a key factor in successful rodent control. For example, close all holes in exterior walls, screen downpipes in gutter top and bottom and install self-closing devices on doors that are frequently used.
• Apply an effective rodenticide - The use of poison baits and the use of bait dispensers are strongly recommended. The feeding habits of rats and mice differ. Rats tend to eat at familiar places and need 15-30 ml water daily. They tend to feed for longer at a given place than mice. Mice nibble at food for a while, move on to the next place, nibble again and move on again. They get most of their water from food. This difference in feeding habits, require different methods of placing the bait. For rats, the bait must be placed next to walls, boxes, etc. next to their pathways. Less bait areas are needed, but more bait per station is needed than when mice are controlled. For mice, various bait stations must be placed with small amounts of bait at various places. Always ensure that the bait is placed out of reach of children and animals other than rats and mice. Always place bait in a secure bait station to avoid primary poisoning of non-target animals & humans!