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Mice and rats love living side-by-side with us and they’re very capable of moving into our homes undetected. Before you’re even aware you have a mouse problem, there may be a few generations living under your roof.
Mouse and rat plagues tend to get worse during cooler weather, when the animals are seeking shelter. It’s important to get any infestation under control as quickly as possible to avoid damage to your property and the spread of disease. We're sharing advice on how to identify and tackle a mouse problem, as well as prevent them from returning.
Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment. Always store products out of the reach of children and pets.
Trust your eyes, ears and nose. Look for droppings (which resemble dark grains of rice) in the corners and around appliances. You might spot chew marks on food packaging, or catch movement out of the corner of your eye as they move along the edges of rooms. You might also hear rustling noises or smell an ammonia-like scent. These are all signs that you have a mouse problem in your home.
There are three options for removing rodents from your home: repelling them, trapping them or killing them. Your environment will play a factor in which option is best for you. For example – whether you have children or pets you need to consider, or whether the problem is indoors or outdoors.
Repellents are plug-ins that use ultrasonic soundwaves. These soundwaves are inaudible to people and animals that aren’t rodents (including cats and dogs), but are unpleasant to mice and rats.
There are a wide range of traps to choose from.
When setting up traps, wear gloves as this helps to mask our scent. Set up multiple traps at a time in dark, safe locations. Rodents are cautious – lure them to new trap set-ups by placing food near the trap to entice them.
Tip: If you’ve noticed them enjoying a certain food from your pantry, use that in and around your traps.
Sometimes, however, the problem is bigger than just a few unwanted mice and rats around the home, requiring a solution that is stronger than traps and deterrents. Australia is a country that is susceptible to mice plagues, and occasionally that problem finds its way into our homes and businesses. Rodenticides are effective for dealing with larger infestations.
There are several different types of rodenticides. Natural rodenticides are manufactured using natural products – salt, for example. They are effective, posing little risk to other species, but they usually require more than one use (“feed”) to eliminate rodents and do generally take longer to kill the target species.
First Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (FGAR) use an older chemical technology, but are similar to natural rodenticides (requiring more than one feed for effective elimination and posing reduced risk to other species).
Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGAR) utilise more current chemical technology. They are the most humane option for eliminating rodents; however, they pose a greater risk of harm to non-target species. The rodents die quickly due to the efficiency of the rodenticide so the poison stays in the dead rodents and there is potentially a greater risk of secondary poisoning of non-target species; it’s important to remove any dead rodents that you find.
We choose our products with care, and the products we sell are approved by Australian and New Zealand regulators.
Prevention is still your best weapon against unwanted guests. Make sure that all food (including pet food) is sealed in airtight containers. Don’t leave any leftovers lying around or crumbs on the counters, tables or floors. Dispose of food waste in a timely manner.
Keep your outside area (including garden and waste bins) clean and remove any dead plant matter or stagnant water that is accumulating on your property.
Mice (and other pests) can enter your home through small cracks and holes, so check for these regularly and seal them off immediately.
Your safety should come first.
Place the sealed bag in another bag. Seal the second bag and throw it away. Remove your gloves and wash your hands thoroughly. Wash or dispose of the gloves.
Here’s how to achieve the dream clean.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
