Rodent control: why one mousetrap won’t solve it

Why rodents are dangerous

Rats and mice spoil food, containers and packaging, gnaw through cables and insulation, and contaminate premises with droppings and urine. Rodents spread leptospirosis, salmonellosis, haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and other infections.

What to know about rodents

• A mouse can get through a gap of about 6 mm, a rat through about 1.5–2 cm.
• Rodent incisors grow throughout life, so they gnaw constantly.
• Rats are wary of new objects and unfamiliar food: bait does not work on day one.
• With food and shelter available, rodents breed all year round.

Why mousetraps don’t solve the problem

A trap catches individual animals, not the colony. As long as rodents have food, shelter and ways in, new ones replace those caught. You need a system: find, eliminate, monitor and close the entry points.

What rodent control involves

1. Survey — tracks, droppings, gnaw marks, burrows, runs, food sources.
2. Control measures — closed bait stations along the perimeter and rodent runs; traps and glue boards in food areas.
3. Monitoring — regular visits, checking bait uptake, topping up bait.
4. Prevention — advice on sealing entry points and storing food.

Prevention

• Close holes around pipes, cables and foundations with metal mesh.
• Store food and feed in sealed containers; don’t leave waste open.
• Clear debris and rubbish near the building — they shelter rodents.
• For warehouses and catering — regular rodent control under contract.