Across the world, rats in Australia are not just a nuisance and dangerous. Australian rats spread severe illnesses such as plague transmitted through flea bites and contaminated food with their droppings and urine. ’Most people don’t know what are the types of rodents in Melbourne and how to do rodents control? Their impact is more serious than most people realize. These pesky invaders are the major cause of house fires by chewing on electrical fires.
There are different types of mice in Australia, such as brown rats, bush rats, house mice and more. Due to their high growth of reproduction once rats & mice take place in your homes. It is difficult for the homeowner of Melbourne to get rid of it. It is essential to know rodent pest control techniques. This blog post will provide details about the important types of rodents in Melbourne.
What Are the Types of Rodents in Melbourne?
Here is the list of common rodents found in Melbourne.
Norway Rats/ Brown Rats (Rattus Norvegicus)
Norway rats are one the most widespread rodents in Melbourne. They are active at night having thick fur with the combination of gray and brown. It is usually found in large sizes up to 40 cm and might increase its size up to 500 g. The length of its tail would be 21cm. Their tail is smaller than the size of its head and body. These species are not social but build their nest underground or near the source of water. Their lifespan is a maximum of one year. Brown rats are very dangerous and may get attracted to homes in search of food. They cause serious damage to the home property. These invaders belong to the omnivore’s family and feast on dead animals, meat, fruits and as well as grains.
Roof Rats/ Black Rats (Rattus Rattus)
The roof rats are the second most common rats found in Australia, next to Norway rats. These invaders have long eyes, ears and a sharp nose with thick, long tails. Roof rats have soft fur. You can detect these species with climbing at ease. The lifespan of these rats is also a maximum of 1 year. A female roof rat can give birth to up to 40 new rats. These species also belong to the family of omnivores and prefer to eat nuts & fruits. Roof rats can affect food by the droppings of urine and rats poop. They are well-known for spreading diseases through their bites and the food contaminated by fleas that feast on the rodents.
House Mice (Mus Domesticus)
House Mouse belongs to the group of mammal species. It weighs up to 30 g and grows up to a maximum of 11cm. Moreover, its tail is as large as the size of its body. The house mouse varies in two colors.The adult mice have a brownish tone, and the lower portion is whitish. These species can easily adapt to all types of atmospheres. They can usually make their habitats near humans. You can easily detect these pesky insects by their droppings. They are well-known for swimming, jumping and climbing on roofs. House mice species are classified into the group of omnivores. They love to eat all kinds of food thus, they can damage the property. Their lifespan is about 3 years.
Water Rats (Hydromys Chrysogaster)
These rats are naturally found in water. They have thick fur that repels water and webbed feet for swimming. They are well-known for their aquatic home. These invaders have big eyes and small eyes. These rodents are predators and feast on fish and insects like mammals. Its tail is strong, muscular and covered with thick fur and has a distinct white tip at the end. Commonly, water rats are active at night. These invaders can make their nest near the source of water and hollow logs. Female rats are busy breeders, especially in spring and summer.
Ship Rats (Rattus Norvegicus)
A ship rat measures about 190 mm in body length, with a tail extending about 230 mm. These rodents vary in different colors, ranging from black to white. It has a longer tail than the size of the body and head. These species can be found in commercial, residential and warehouse areas. These rats are nocturnal and good climbers. A ship rat can feast on seeds, nuts and fruits.
Pale Field Rat (Rattus Tunneyi)
Pale field rats can grow up to 140 mm with a thick length tail is about 120 mm. It normally weighs about 80 g. It has a short tail that is less than the size of its body. These rats can easily be identified by their huge eyes and thick fur having colors of brown, gray and cream. They can nest near the crop fields and grasslands. It looks the same as ship rats, sewer rats and bush rats.
Conclusion
There are multiple types of rodents in Melbourne. Each native rat of Melbourne has different characteristics that pose a severe risk. Whether they are tiny or bigger rats in the house are more than a nuisance and cause serious damage. If you suspect any damaged property and hear strange noises in your place, it’s time to take action. Do not wait and call Zap It Pest Control Melbourne to provide you with organic rodent control services.
