Pest Control - Rodent Helpful Hints

Pest Control - Rodent Helpful Hints

• Some properties are invaded in autumn every year as rats and mice seek shelter in cooler weather.  Others may be invaded when nearby areas are developed.  If you are aware of a potential influx, contact your Pest Manager to introduce a programme before the event.

• Pet food is a major attraction for rodents.  Ensure that all pet food is never left outside overnight and by storing in metal containers.

• The house should be inspected for potential entry points, concentrating on gaps in the wall, such as weep holes, doors and windows and penetrations for plumbing and electrical services.

• Trim all tree branches away from the house.  Remove ivy and trellises from walls.

• Do not store timber or debris adjacent to the house.

• Repair leaky taps and remove other water sources.

• Rodents develop territories and have a social hierarchy.  Not all will have equal access to baits.  The most dominant and aggressive individuals tend to be the oldest and largest male members of the colony.  Treatment programmes must be designed to control the colony, rather than a few individuals.

• An adult house mouse produces 50 to 100 droppings and up to 3,000 micro-droplets of urine per day, a rat about 40 to 50 droppings per day or 15,000 droppings and 15 litres of urine per year.

• Rodents may die in inaccessible places such as wall cavities.  Odours from dead mice are seldom a problem but rats, because of their larger body weight may cause a problem.  Your Pest Manager may be able to find and remove the carcass or apply odour absorbing products.

Brought to you by Proven Pest Control. Serving New South Wales as a guaranteed, trustworthy business and will eliminate your pests of concern at an affordable cost.

The Australian Redback Spider

The Redback Spider

Habitat:

The Redback Spider favours proximity to human habitation, with webs being built in dry, sheltered sites, such as among rocks, in logs, shrubs, junk-piles, sheds, or toilets. Redback Spiders are less common in winter months. They are not found inside homes unless they are walked in on persons. This being said, they hide out in the above areas so you still may sight them in the winter months.

The bite:

Only the female bite is dangerous. They can cause serious illness and have caused deaths. However, since Redback Spiders rarely leave their webs, humans are not likely to be bitten unless a body part such as a hand is put directly into the web, and because of their small jaws many bites are ineffective. To avoid the risk of getting bitten at all, call Proven Pest Control.

 

It is so important to keep your home tidy. Removing overgrown trees, mowing the lawns, sweeping, hosing, cleaning gutters, rubbish piles, taking clothes off the line once they’re dry etc. If you have garden plants and pots around the outside of your home, ensure they are checked regularly. They have been found in cubby houses and sand pits in the past so checking them before playing is ideal. 

To avoid a bite, call Proven Pest Control for professional and effective advice!

Mouse Spider

 

The Mouse Spider

Missulena is a genus of spiders in the mygalomorph family Actinopodidae, sometimes called mouse spiders. As of 2016 there are 17 known species in this genus, all but one of which are indigenous to Australia. Both male and female Mouse spiders have very large fangs and fang bases. Mouse spiders are aggressive spiders and will bite if provoked. However, only several of the species have been found to produce serious symptoms similar to those by the Funnel Web spider.

Habitat:

Mouse spiders are found in east coastal and highland regions of Australia. Like trapdoor spiders, the mouse spider lives in burrows in the ground, often in the banks of rivers, creeks and other waterways, but is also found in suburban gardens. The burrows are built with double or single trapdoors and the entrance is oval shaped. The females tend to remain in or near their burrows throughout their lives. Males can be found wandering during early winter, especially after rain.

Diet:

Insects are the main prey of mouse spiders but their diet could possibly include small vertebrates and other spiders.

 

Reproduction:

Males reach sexually maturity at about 4 years of age. They leave their burrows during the breeding season to find a mate. They go looking for a female during the day and the mating usually takes place in the females burrow.

Brought to you by Proven Pest Control. Serving New South Wales as a guaranteed, trustworthy business and will eliminate your pests of concern at an affordable cost.