Common Types of Rodents That Are Attracted to Rubbish
As the holiday approaches, more food is on the table for the celebration. However, only some of this food is consumed, and much is thrown away in bins.
Trash is like a welcome home for rodents, especially rats and mice. It offers suitable hiding spots, breeding grounds, and plenty of food.
Keeping your home and property clean will prevent rat infestation. Discover the reasons for rat infestation and how to prevent them from being attracted to your rubbish.
Why Rubbish is a Rodent Magnet
Rodents are attracted to trash for many reasons: they seek food and shelter.
Food Scraps & Organic Waste: When food scraps and organic waste accumulate, rodents scavenge for food. Poorly or even sealed containers, especially overflowing bins, will emit odours, multiplying pest problems.
Warm and Hidden Spaces: Rodents love to breed in warm, hidden spaces where they can find refuge and protection from predators. They gather plastics, paper, cardboard, and fabric or fast fashion waste to keep them warm.
Poor Waste Disposal Habits: Unprotected rubbish is food and nesting material for these rodents to establish breeding grounds next door. Overflowing bins or unsecured lids, on the other hand, become entry points for rodents.
5 Most Common Types of Rodents Attracted to Rubbish
Rats, especially in the cities, find rubbish alluring because it provides them with convenient food and has some cover to hide. Let us consider the five most common rodent species in Australia attracted to rubbish.
1. Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
The brown rat is a fairly large rodent with brownish-grey fur, a flat nose, and a long tail. It is also known as the Norway rat, as it enjoys infestations in places abundant with food, like overflowing garbage bins and communal refuse spots. Indeed, this species proliferates rapidly and causes serious infestations in urban environments. Waste-rich areas often indicate abysmal waste management, where the brown rats love to thrive.
2. Black Rat (Rattus rattus)
A black rat is more petite than a brown rat and has a slim body with a sharp nose and big ears, usually found in cities in Australia. These small critters are nimble climbers and are often noticed in neighbourhoods where garbage is overlooked. They love to rummage in the rubbish as it provides food and raw materials for nesting.
3. House Mouse (Mus musculus)
Measuring about 7-10 cm, these little rodents range in colour from light brown to grey and have large ears and very small eyes. They are very clever little scavenging rodents, often going into rubbish bins to find foods that people throw away. They are very good at munching paper, cardboard and even fabric. Their small stature enables them to get into very tight places, such as holes in garbage bins, so they can find food in the trash.
4. Roof Rat (Rattus rattus – Roof Variation)
Roof rats typically fall short of brown rats in stature, with slender bodies and long, pointed noses. They measure about 12.75 to 18.25 cm in length, excluding the tails. Their fur is usually black or dark brown, with a lighter belly as camouflage to fit into the environment. They are probably the greatest climbers, occupying an area mostly in trees, roofs, and other elevated places completely different from rodents that naturally prefer on-ground nesting.
5. Field Mice (Apodemus sylvaticus)
Field mice, also called wood mice, are identified by their big ears and long tails. The back fur is generally a combination of brown, reddish, and grey shades, while the bellies tend to be paler, often white to greyish. Their habitats include forests, meadows and farmlands, but they can also be found in parks, gardens, and outdoor compost piles.
Although they primarily feed on seeds, fruits, and leftover scraps in gardens, they will be bold in rummaging through trash bins if food gets low.
How Rodents Impact Your Health, Home, and Business
The proliferation of rats and mice in towns generally is a potential health hazard because those rodents may spread diseases causing human infection.
Diseases Transmitted by Rodents
Rodents are capable of being host to numerous infectious diseases that threaten human health. Some of these diseases are mainly hantavirus, leptospirosis, and salmonella, which can be contracted through urine, droppings, and saliva.
Property Damage Caused by Rodents
Rodents are damaging when they make a mess by chewing, building their nests, and searching for food. It could ultimately lead to major damage to the homeowner and some serious bills.
Impact on Commercial Premises
Rodents in businesses can result in a huge financial backlash, regulatory problems, or damage to their reputation. Such industries as food processing, restaurants, and retail can suffer more from rodent issues when other sectors might take the nuisance for granted.
How to Prevent Rodents From Being Attracted to Your Rubbish
Keeping your trash area clean and free from debris is vital. Here are effective strategies to keep rodents out of sight.
Use Rodent-Proof Bins
Procure durable trash canisters that prevent the attraction of rodents; utilise tightly fitted lids. Select the types with trustworthy locking systems to keep those pesty rodents away from the trash. Ensure bins are off the ground and not leaning against walls or fences.
Dispose of Food Waste Properly
Seal food waste in closed containers just before waste collection days. Freezing scraps until you can dispose of them is also a good way to combat odours. Avoid leaving food scraps in plastic bags next to bins.
Clean Your Rubbish Area Regularly
Always keep clean, whether trash bins or compost containers, along with their respective areas due to spillage or leakage because it easily attracts pests. Also, remember to apply disinfectants to eradicate the smell-causing rodents.
Schedule Regular Rubbish Removal
Removing trash regularly, especially food scraps, could reduce odours and prevent rodents from getting attracted to the house. The best approach would be to empty containers where perishable stuff is placed daily. Schedule frequent collections with All Gone Rubbish Removals at 0420 102 118 and book before 2 PM for same-day service.
Remove Potential Nesting Sites
Remove piles of wood, cardboard, and paper waste, which provide nesting areas for rodents. Rodents in the surrounding area will also encourage predators, such as snakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What attracts rodents to rubbish?
Rodents are drawn to food scraps, warmth, and hidden spaces. Overflowing bins with unsecured lids also attract them.
2. Which rodents are most commonly found in bins?
Brown rats, black rats, house mice, and roof rats are the most common rodents found in household and commercial bins.
3. How do I stop rodents from accessing my bins?
Use bins with secure lids, keep food waste in sealed bags, and clean up any spilled food or liquids near bins.
4. How often should I remove rubbish to prevent rodents?
Weekly or bi-weekly removal is recommended, especially for food waste.
Driven by a passion for helping customers achieve clutter-free spaces, All Gone Rubbish Removals has become a go-to resource for waste management, featuring over 100 expert articles on rubbish removal and sustainability. Aaron’s dedication to efficiency and customer satisfaction ensures his business remains a leader in the industry.
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