The hidden problem impacting millions of Aussie homes

A faint scratching sound in the roof might not seem like much. Many might assume it’s a possum, a bird or simply one of the strange noises houses sometimes make.

However, pest experts warn a growing number of Aussies are discovering something far less welcome has quietly moved in.

Rodent callouts are on the rise this winter as rats and mice seek warmth, food and shelter inside homes, with one pest controller reporting a noticeable jump in activity compared with the same time last year.

Damien Kneller from Brisbane Termite and Pest Control said enquiries and callouts for rodent problems are increasing, with activity starting earlier than expected this season.

“We’re attending more rodent-related jobs and in many cases the infestations are more established by the time homeowners realise they have a problem,” he told nine.com.au.

“What stands out this winter is how early the activity has started.”

While colder weather often brings rodents indoors, Kneller said Australia’s mild winters don’t help.

Instead, they simply encourage rats and mice to move closer to people.

“As the temperatures drop, rodents naturally look for warmth, shelter, food and water and homes provide all of these things,” he said.

Once inside, the pests can establish themselves alarmingly quickly and the problem isn’t limited to older homes either.

“Honestly, rodents can get into places most homeowners would never think to check. The house mouse just needs a gap of about five millimetres to get inside,” Kneller said.

“We regularly find rodents entering through surprisingly small openings, including weep holes, service penetrations and gaps around pipes and cables.”

One recent case involved mice entering a home through a small opening around plumbing in a laundry before travelling through the walls undetected.

The owners could hear sounds coming from the walls, but couldn’t work out how or where the rodents were getting in.

Often, homeowners miss the warning signs entirely.

Kneller said scratching sounds, grease marks along walls and beams, unusual smells and even changes in pet behaviour can point to a hidden infestation.

“Dogs and cats will often pick up on rodent activity long before people do,” he said.

“If your pet is constantly focused on a particular wall, ceiling space or corner of the home, it’s worth paying attention.”

The risks also go beyond a few chewed items, with Kneller explaining, “There are definitely genuine health risks associated with rodents and it’s one of the reasons we encourage homeowners not to ignore the early warning signs.

Rodents are known to gnaw through electrical wiring, insulation, timber, plumbing and air-conditioning parts, causing damage that can cost homeowners thousands of dollars to repair and posing “significant safety concerns”.

Rodents can also contaminate food by leaving droppings, urine and nesting material hidden inside roof spaces and wall cavities.

“Rodents aren’t just a nuisance. They can create health, hygiene and property damage risks, which is why it’s important to address an infestation before it becomes established,” the exterminator warned.

The biggest mistake homeowners make, according to Kneller, is assuming the problem will resolve itself.

“What starts as a couple of rodents looking for shelter can become a much larger problem within a matter of months if it’s left unchecked,” he said.

Experts recommend inspecting homes for gaps around doors, pipes, vents and windows, trimming branches away from roofs and removing food sources such as fallen fruit and pet food left outside overnight.

“The biggest piece of advice I’d give is not to wait until you’re hearing scratching in the roof before taking action,” Kneller said.

“Prevention is always easier and more affordable than dealing with an established infestation.”