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Buy products to control rats and mice by clicking the circular icons at the top of this page.
RATS are introduced pests that threaten the long-term survival of New Zealand’s native species. The three most destructive are the kiore (Pacific rat), the ship rat (black or roof rat) and the Norway rat (brown rat). THE HOUSE MOUSE, THE NORWAY RAT AND THE ROOF RAT are called ‘commensal rodents’ – commensal meaning ‘sharing one’s table’ and rodent meaning ‘to gnaw’. Besides eating our food they also spoil it by contaminating it with their faeces, urine and fur. RATS AND MICE are able to squeeze through very small openings: 6 mm for mice and 12 mm for rats. TO REACH A LOCATION rodents can gnaw through many types of material including lead sheathing, aluminium siding and concrete. They also gnaw on electrical wiring and cables – both above and beneath the ground! THE MOVEMENT OF RATS AND MICE is limited under stable conditions. A Norway or roof rat will move within a diameter of 30–50 m; a house mouse, 3–10 m. If conditions are unstable, or there are changes (eg alterations to a building), they may expand that diameter. They will also expand their range in protected areas such as sewers, passages between buildings and where there is underground cover. REMOVE RODENT FOOD SOURCES without disturbing their habitat or they will run to another area. Be especially careful about this the first time you lay bait. You must complete rodent elimination in one area before they move on to another location. After baiting is established keep the area as clean as possible, removing any other food sources, and any debris that could be used for nesting purposes. This will ensure additional rodents from nearby areas are not attracted to your location. |