Professional rodent control helps identify entry points, reduce infestations and protect your property.
Rats and mice can become a serious problem in homes, businesses, warehouses, restaurants, farms and other properties. They can contaminate food, damage stored goods and gnaw on materials ranging from wood and plastic to electrical cables.
At Rafiki Pest Control, we approach rodent control by looking beyond the rodents you can see. An effective programme involves identifying how rodents are entering the property, where they are feeding and nesting, and what conditions are allowing them to remain there.
In this guide, we explain why rodents are difficult to control, the signs of an infestation, how we approach professional rodent control and what you can do to reduce the risk of rodents returning.
Why Are Rats and Mice a Problem?
Rodents are highly adaptable animals that can survive in a wide range of environments. They can live around homes, businesses, food premises, farms, drainage systems, waste areas and storage facilities.
A rodent infestation can create several problems.
Property Damage
Rats and mice have continuously growing incisors, so they naturally gnaw to wear their teeth down.
This behaviour can damage:
Electrical cables
Plastic pipes and materials
Wooden structures
Packaging
Stored products
Furniture
Insulation
Other building materials
Damage to electrical wiring can also create safety concerns, particularly when wiring is accessible to rodents.
Food Contamination
Rodents can contaminate food and food-contact areas through droppings, urine, hair, body contact and other forms of contamination.
This makes effective rodent management particularly important for restaurants, food businesses, warehouses, shops and other premises where food is stored or handled.
Disease and Hygiene Risks
Rats and mice can carry and transmit microorganisms and parasites associated with various diseases. Transmission can occur through contaminated food, surfaces, droppings, urine and other forms of contact.
The specific risks depend on the rodent species, environment and pathogens present. For this reason, controlling rodents is an important part of maintaining good hygiene.
Rapid Population Growth
Rodents can reproduce quickly when they have reliable access to food, water and shelter.
A small number of rodents can therefore become a much larger problem when favourable conditions remain unaddressed.
Why Do Rodents Gnaw?
Gnawing is a natural part of rodent behaviour.
Unlike human teeth, rodent incisors continue growing throughout the animal's life. Regular gnawing helps rodents keep their incisors at a functional length.
This is why rats and mice may chew materials that have no nutritional value, including wood, plastic and electrical insulation.
Gnawing behaviour can therefore provide useful evidence when investigating a rodent infestation.
Signs of a Rodent Infestation
Rodents are often active at night, so you may not see them directly.
Instead, look for signs such as:
Droppings
Rodent droppings may be found around food storage areas, cupboards, behind appliances, along walls and near nesting areas.
Gnaw Marks
Fresh gnaw marks may appear on food packaging, cables, wood, plastic and other materials.
Grease or Rub Marks
Rodents frequently travel along walls and established pathways. Repeated movement can leave dark or greasy marks along surfaces.
Scratching or Movement Sounds
Noises in ceilings, walls, roofs, cupboards or other concealed areas may indicate rodent activity.
Nesting Material
Rodents may use paper, fabric, insulation, cardboard and other materials to construct nests.
Unusual Odours
A persistent smell around concealed areas can sometimes indicate rodent activity or a dead rodent.
Damaged Food Packaging
Gnawed food containers and packaging are often an important indication of rodent activity.
How Rodents Enter Buildings
One of the most important parts of rodent control is understanding how rodents gain access.
Possible entry points include:
Gaps beneath doors
Holes around pipes and cables
Cracks in walls
Damaged vents
Open drains
Gaps around roofs
Broken windows or screens
Openings around utility services
Damaged building structures
A rodent can take advantage of surprisingly small openings, particularly when there is food or shelter available inside.
Why Rodent Control Requires More Than Poison
Using bait may reduce a rodent population, but baiting alone does not necessarily solve the underlying problem.
If rodents continue entering the building through the same openings, new rodents can replace those that have been removed.
For this reason, we approach rodent control as an integrated process involving:
Inspection → Identification → Exclusion → Baiting or Trapping → Monitoring → Prevention
The exact combination depends on the property and infestation.
Our Professional Rodent Control Approach
At Rafiki Pest Control, we assess the conditions supporting the infestation before selecting a treatment strategy.
1. Inspection
We inspect the property for signs of rodent activity and potential entry points.
We may examine:
Kitchens
Food storage areas
Roof spaces
Ceilings
Wall voids
Store rooms
Garages
Waste areas
External perimeter areas
Drainage and utility openings
2. Identifying Rodent Pathways
We look for evidence showing where rodents are travelling, feeding and nesting.
This helps us place control measures where they are more likely to be effective.
3. Exclusion and Proofing
Where practical, we identify openings that should be sealed or repaired.
This can include gaps around pipes, doors, vents, walls and other structural openings.
Proofing is one of the most important long-term components of rodent control because it reduces opportunities for rodents to enter again.
4. Trapping and Baiting
Depending on the circumstances, we may use appropriate traps and professional rodent baits as part of the control programme.
We select the method according to the property, level of activity, location and safety considerations.
Baits and traps should be positioned strategically rather than randomly distributed throughout a property.
5. Monitoring
We monitor activity to determine whether the rodent population is declining and whether additional action is required.
Monitoring can also help us identify areas where rodents are still entering or moving through the property.
Professional Rodenticides and Rodent Control Products
Different rodenticides contain different active ingredients and have different application requirements.
Examples of active ingredients used in professional rodent control products include anticoagulants and other rodenticidal compounds.
The appropriate product depends on the circumstances, and professional pest control should always follow the product label, applicable regulations and required safety procedures.
We do not recommend experimenting with agricultural fumigants or highly hazardous products in homes or occupied buildings.
In particular, products containing aluminum phosphide are fumigants that release highly toxic phosphine gas under suitable conditions. They are not appropriate for casual household rodent control, and their use requires specialised procedures, controlled conditions and properly trained personnel.
Why Professional Rodent Control Is Better Than DIY Baiting
DIY baiting can sometimes reduce visible rodent activity, but it may leave the underlying problem unresolved.
Professional rodent control helps us identify:
Where rodents are entering
Where they are nesting
What they are feeding on
How they are moving through the property
Which areas require exclusion
Where control measures should be positioned
Whether activity is declining after treatment
This makes the programme more structured and reduces unnecessary use of pest-control products.
Rodent Control for Homes
In residential properties, we pay particular attention to kitchens, food storage areas, roof spaces, garages, gardens and other locations where rodents may find food and shelter.
We can help identify potential entry points and recommend practical changes to reduce rodent access.
Keeping food sealed, managing waste properly and reducing clutter around potential nesting areas can also make the property less attractive to rodents.
Rodent Control for Businesses
Rodent control is particularly important for:
Restaurants
Hotels
Shops
Food-processing premises
Warehouses
Offices
Schools
Hospitals and healthcare facilities
Farms
Storage facilities
Residential apartment buildings
For commercial premises, we can develop a more structured monitoring programme where ongoing rodent activity needs to be tracked.
Preventing Rats and Mice From Returning
Professional treatment is only one part of long-term rodent management.
We recommend that you:
Seal Entry Points
Inspect and seal gaps around doors, pipes, cables, vents and other building openings.
Store Food Properly
Keep food in suitable sealed containers and avoid leaving food exposed overnight.
Manage Waste
Use appropriate waste containers and remove waste regularly.
Reduce Clutter
Cardboard, paper, fabric and other materials can provide shelter and nesting opportunities.
Keep Outdoor Areas Maintained
Remove unnecessary materials and vegetation close to buildings where they may provide shelter or concealment.
Repair Building Damage
Broken doors, damaged vents, holes and structural gaps can provide easy access for rodents.
Monitor for New Activity
Continue checking for droppings, gnaw marks, noises and other signs after treatment.
What Not to Do When You Find Rodents
Do Not Move Rodents Between Rooms
Chasing rodents from one area to another may simply cause them to relocate within the building.
Do Not Rely Only on Household Sprays
Insecticides do not provide a reliable solution to a rodent infestation.
Do Not Place Rodent Bait Randomly
Rodenticides should be used responsibly and according to their product instructions. Poorly positioned bait can create unnecessary risks to children, pets and non-target animals.
Do Not Ignore Entry Points
If rodents can continue entering the property, removing existing rodents may provide only temporary relief.
Do Not Ignore Electrical Damage
If rodents have been gnawing on electrical cables, arrange for the affected wiring to be inspected and repaired by a qualified professional.
Why Choose Rafiki Pest Control for Rodent Control?
At Rafiki Pest Control, we focus on solving the conditions that allow rodents to establish themselves.
Our approach can include:
Professional inspection
Identification of rodent activity
Entry-point assessment
Rodent proofing recommendations
Strategic trapping
Professional baiting
Monitoring
Follow-up inspections
Practical prevention advice
We provide rodent-control solutions for homes, businesses, commercial premises, institutions and other properties.
Our objective is not simply to remove the rodents you see. We work to understand how they entered, where they are active and what needs to change to reduce the likelihood of the infestation returning.
Final Thoughts
Rats and mice can cause damage, contaminate food and create significant hygiene and safety concerns when they become established.
Effective rodent control requires more than placing poison and hoping the problem disappears. Inspection, exclusion, appropriate control measures and continued monitoring all have an important role to play.
At Rafiki Pest Control, we combine these elements to develop practical rodent-control programmes suited to the property and the level of infestation.
If you are seeing droppings, gnaw marks, damaged food packaging, scratching sounds or other signs of rodent activity, contact Rafiki Pest Control for a professional assessment and an appropriate rodent-control solution.