Rats and rodents are among the most dangerous pests threatening the safety of homes, warehouses, farms, barns, and food facilities, because of the major health and economic damage they cause. Their danger is not limited to destroying food and property but extends to transmitting many serious diseases to humans and animals, in addition to contaminating food and water with droppings and urine.
Rodents are distinguished by their high ability to adapt to different environments, their rapid reproduction, and their skill at hiding inside walls, ceilings, drainage networks, and storage warehouses, which often makes the infestation discovered late, after real damage has occurred. Weak prevention measures and the availability of food and water sources also help their numbers multiply very quickly in a short time.
Rat control is one of the hardest control programs, because it does not rely on a single measure but needs an integrated plan that combines prevention, baits, traps, and sealing entry points, to prevent the infestation from returning after it has been eliminated.
Quick Overview
Size and color: A mouse is 7 to 10 cm, and a rat is 20 to 25 cm, gray or brown in color.
Where they live: Ceilings, walls, storage rooms, sewers, and behind appliances.
Are they harmful: Yes, they gnaw wires and belongings, contaminate food, and transmit diseases.
The main sign: Small black droppings, gnaw marks, and scratching sounds at night.
Signs of Rats and Rodents
- Hearing movement or gnawing sounds at night
- Gnaw marks on electrical wires, doors, and wood
- Small dark-colored droppings
- Foul smells in corners and storage rooms
- Parts of food disappearing or bags being torn
- Footprints or scratches in dusty places
Rodent Life Cycle
Rodents are distinguished by high reproduction speed, as a female can give birth several times a year, with several pups each time, and the young reach maturity in a short time, which causes the infestation to multiply very quickly if early control is not carried out.
Damage from Rats and Rodents
- Transmission of serious bacterial and viral diseases
- Contamination of food and water with droppings and urine
- Damage to electrical wires, causing fires
- Damage to stored crops and animal feed
- Spreading foul smells and frightening residents
- Direct economic losses on farms and in warehouses
- Integrated Rodent Control Program
First: Preventive Control
- Seal all openings and cracks in walls and doors
- Store food in tightly sealed containers
- Dispose of waste daily
- Reduce water sources inside the place
- Keep warehouses tidy and leave no hiding places
- Trim grass around buildings and reduce dense vegetation
Second: Control with Poison Baits (Rodenticides)
This is the main method for eliminating rodents inside burrows and runways.
Suitable Active Ingredients:
- Brodifacoum: Strong, long-acting baits that kill rodents at small doses
- Bromadiolone: An effective bait for moderate infestations
- Difenacoum: Suitable for indoor environments
- Zinc phosphide: Used with caution in open areas and under the supervision of a specialist
- Repetition: The bait is checked after the interval written on the label and replaced according to consumption
Important: Baits must be placed inside safe bait stations to prevent children and animals from reaching them
Third: Control with Traps
- Used in: kitchens, food facilities, and sensitive places
- Environments where the use of poisons is prohibited
- Includes: mechanical traps, glue traps, and multi-catch traps
When Do We Use Each Method?
- Are there large numbers? We start with poison baits inside bait stations
- Sensitive places? We use traps only
- Continuous infestation? We combine baits, traps, and prevention
- The best result is achieved by applying an integrated program and not relying on a single method only.
Common Mistakes
- Placing baits in exposed places
- Touching the bait by hand without gloves
- Stopping control right after the rodents disappear
- Not sealing the openings after control
- Using one type of bait for long periods
- Leaving food sources exposed inside the place
Health Warning
Rodents are a primary vector of many serious diseases for humans and animals, and they may cause direct food contamination, so the infestation must be handled seriously and control must not be postponed however small the numbers seem.
Rodent Control Products Available at Orkida
- Professional Rodent Control Package: Orkida’s integrated package for mice and rats.
- Economy Rodent Control Package: Orkida’s package for an infestation in its early stage.
- Pro Catch BULLET Bait Station: An enclosed bait station made in England that protects the bait from children and pets.
- Rodex Granules by Belgar (UK): Granular bait for rodent control, 1 kg pack.
- Catchmaster Glue Trap (American): A poison-free glue trap for mice and rats.
You can find all the options in the Rodenticides category. Always place baits inside closed stations, out of reach of children and pets.
Orkida’s Advice
- Do not rely on the bait alone, but:
- Seal the openings
- Clean the place
- Then use baits and traps together
- This way you cut off the source of the infestation and prevent it from coming back.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rats and Rodents
How do I know there are rodents in the house?
Small dark droppings, gnaw marks on wires and packaging, scratching sounds at night, a distinctive smell, and greasy trails on the walls.
Which is better: traps or poison bait?
Glue and mechanical traps are more suitable inside the house because they allow the rodent to be removed directly, while poison bait is preferable outside the home and away from children and pets.
Why does the mouse come back after it is removed?
Because the causes remain: open holes, available food, and waste. Sealing entry points and cleaning food sources are the basis for preventing its return.
Are rodents a health risk?
Yes, they transmit diseases through urine and feces and contaminate food. Wear gloves when cleaning and disinfect the place after removal.