Why winter is rodent season
In the Hunter region, rodent call-outs spike dramatically from late autumn through winter. As overnight temperatures drop, mice and rats that lived comfortably outdoors during summer — in gardens, sheds, compost heaps and vegetation — seek the warmth and food supply of homes. Roof voids are particularly attractive: they're warm, dark, undisturbed and close to the food source of your kitchen.
A single pair of mice can produce up to 60 offspring in a year. If you hear scratching in your roof at night, you likely already have an established population — not just one mouse.
Signs you have rodents
- Scratching or scurrying noises in the roof void or walls, particularly at night
- Droppings — small, dark, rice-shaped pellets in cupboards, under sinks or along skirting boards
- Gnaw marks on food packaging, wiring, timber or plastic pipes
- Rub marks — dark, greasy smudges along walls and entry points where rats travel
- Nesting material — shredded paper, fabric or insulation in hidden areas
- Unusual pet behaviour — cats and dogs may stare at walls or become agitated
How to prevent rodents entering
- 1Seal all gaps and cracks larger than 6mm — mice can squeeze through a gap the width of a pencil
- 2Check where pipes and cables enter the house and seal with silicone or steel wool
- 3Install mesh or one-way doors over subfloor and roof void vents
- 4Keep food in sealed containers — don't leave pet food out overnight
- 5Clean up fallen fruit from trees and secure compost bins
- 6Trim vegetation away from exterior walls — rodents use branches as bridges
- 7Store firewood elevated and away from the house
- 8Secure rubbish bins with tight-fitting lids
Why professional treatment is more effective
DIY rodent control — baits and traps from the hardware store — often fails because it doesn't address the root cause: how the rodents are getting in. Professional rodent control combines strategic baiting in roof voids and subfloors with exclusion advice to prevent re-entry. Universal Pest Control uses tamper-resistant bait stations that are safe for families and pets.
Rodents gnaw electrical wiring, which is a leading cause of house fires. If you hear scratching in your roof, don't wait — the risk extends beyond noise and contamination to genuine fire danger.