Common brown rats and house mice are some of the most common pests homeowners and businesses will encounter. In fact, we’ve been called to carry out pest control for rats more than all other pests combined! 

 

These animals have been infesting homes for thousands of years, from facilitating the spread of devastating plagues to causing a minor nuisance in the pantry. And over these millennia, we’ve come to understand their unique behaviours. Many people even keep them as pets! In this blog, we’ll explore how rodents live, how these behaviours can clue you in to a sign of an infestation, and when to call a rodent exterminator.

What Are Rodents?

Rodents don’t just mean rats and mice. They are a diverse group of mammals that share certain characteristics: front teeth (that never stop growing), 5-digit “hands” with opposable thumbs, whiskers, stocky bodies and tails (not always long). They make up about 40% of all mammal species on Earth, including squirrels, guinea pigs, and hamsters!

 

This is where we see the first of their shared behaviours: a constant need to file down their ever-growing front teeth. Rodents like to gnaw and chew materials like wood, plastic, and even metal to keep their teeth short and sharp. And you will recognise this as a strange scratching sound coming from behind a wall.

What are Mice Doing When You Hear Scratching?

When you hear consistent scratching in your walls, ceilings, or sheltered voids, they are gnawing on building materials. They might be breaking it down to make their nests, but for the most part it's part of their dental care routine.

Most Rodents are Nocturnal

Rodents are common prey for birds, cats, snakes, weasels, foxes, and of course rodent exterminators. With these dangers present, the majority of rodents like to be active at night, or in the early hours of dawn or dusk to avoid being spotted. The exception is squirrels, though that doesn’t stop them from infesting a roof cavity and making a nest there.

Where Do Rats Hide During the Day?

Rats and mice stay in their nests during the hours they aren’t active, and this will be a safe space not in plain sight. Wall and cabinet voids, loft spaces, basements, and even underneath appliances like washing machines and cookers. Outside a property, you’ll find their nests in overgrown vegetation, wood piles, and sheds.

 

If you see a rat or a mouse during the day, they may be desperate for shelter or trying to run away from a predator, or they have run out of nocturnal hiding spots. If you spot rodents regularly during the day, this is often a bad sign that the population has grown out of control and you need to call emergency rodent control.

Rodents Prioritise Shelter First

It’s a common misconception that rats and mice are only attracted to unhygienic, decrepit properties with unsecured food and overflowing rubbish to eat. Don’t get us wrong, this is prime real estate for them, but rodents are well-prepared to travel for their food. When making a new nest, safety and security come first.

 

It’s why homeowners with an indoor-only cat will rarely see signs of rodent nests in their walls, but do see their pet drop a dead mouse by their feet. Rats and mice seldom build nests where they can smell cats, but will risk feline territory daily to search for food. 

 

Many clean properties with secure food storage and robust waste disposal practices can encounter rodents, especially in older terraced properties. 10 Downing Street itself frequently encounters mice. Cracks in wall cavities, disused pipes, unsealed vents - all these give rodents a secure place to rest and co-ordinate food runs to neighbouring properties. 

Why Have Rats Suddenly Appeared?

If you have never had any signs of rats, and suddenly you encounter one, it's likely their original nest has been discovered or disturbed. Rats are quick to move to avoid extreme weather conditions, construction and garden work, and disturbance from a predator.

Is it Okay to Live in a House With Mice or Rats?

It can be tempting to let wild mice shelter in your house, but it carries significant health and safety risks. Rodents can spread dangerous diseases like Salmonella and (very rarely) Hantavirus in their droppings and saliva. And their chewing habits can damage your house and increase the risk of fire if they damage electrical wires.

 

Simply put, if you want to live in a house with mice, get a secure terrarium. Our rodent exterminators have seen too many houses with electrical wire damage and businesses with Salmonella outbreaks to warrant letting these pests off the hook.

 

Rodent control is essential to keep unhygienic and destructive rodents from invading our living spaces. Sealing entry points, keeping food stored in rodent-proof containers, and maintaining cleanliness go a long way in preventing severe infestations, but as you have learned today, a clean home is not fully immune from infestation. When DIY pest control for rats fails, or you are facing recurrent infestations, our rodent control Cardiff team can help.

 

Exterminating mice and rats isn’t the only service we provide. We provide preventative control, diagnosing how and why rodents are infesting a property and what you can do to eliminate or manage your risks over the long term, professionally and discreetly. Call us for a no-obligation survey to see what our rodent control Cardiff team can do for you.