How do I get rid of mice in my house?

Mice don’t just spread disease. They also cause electrical and structural damage to homes across Christchurch and the wider Canterbury area.

Why do mice invade homes in Christchurch?

The Pacific rat or kiore were introduced to New Zealand by Māori. Along with the Black rat and Norwegian rat, these rodents have caused great damage to both our nature and homes. Today the kiore are found only in Fiordland, Stewart Island and some off-shore islands. But the larger European rodents have few native predators or competitors in New Zealand. So, since their arrival, their numbers have exploded, particularly in Christchurch.

After the Mega Mast year of 2019, where trees produced a significantly high volume of seeds, rodent numbers around Christchurch have boomed. Rats will climb trees and drainpipes, entering houses under the eaves or through the roof. Once inside, they eat through plastic bags to get to your food, pet food left in bowls or fruit sitting on the counter. Rats leave greasy marks along skirting boards and can even chew through wires.

Mice leave a trail of urine and are prolific breeders. A female mouse gets pregnant about 5 to 10 times each year and can give birth to a litter of 3 to 14 pups.

How to stop rodents from entering our homes

With the cooler months of autumn, rats and mice will seek warmth and food indoors. Since the earthquake, the Eastern suburbs such as Avondale, Bexley and Bottle Lake have seen increases in rodent activity.

Sealing cracks, clearing out your roof gutters and trimming branches away from the house can slow down mice and rats. But the best way to stop rodents from entering your home is by getting professional help.

Flick will tailor the treatment according to the rodent species and infestation. They may need to leave a secure bait so the rat doesn’t take the bait away and harm other animals. They’ll leave the bait along the perimeter of the property, such as along a fence or side of the house. Bait stations are tamper resistant to keep pets, native birds and kids safe. Accumulative baits are used to reduce the chances of secondary poisoning to our wildlife.
Setting a mouse trap is a short term fix. To get rid of rodents once and for all you need professionals to treat the nest with a long term solution.

Contact Flick Christchurch on 0800 101 969