Rodent information
Understand the rodent before choosing the baiting approach.
Responsible rodent control starts with identification, inspection and clean bait placement. Use this guide together with the current label and documents on each Supa-Kill product page.
Rats
Three commensal rodents matter most in this context.
There are approximately 2,000 rodent species worldwide, but this field guide focuses on the main commensal species that share human food, shelter and infrastructure: Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus and Mus musculus.
Brown rat / Norway rat
The brown rat is slightly larger than the roof rat. It is commonly greyish-brown to reddish-brown, has a blunt nose, small ears and a scaly tail shorter than the head and body combined. These rats commonly burrow under structures, concrete slabs and along stream banks.
Black rat / Roof rat
Roof rats can travel considerable distances for food and may be seen at night running along overhead lines, pipes and elevated services. They are agile climbers, have excellent balance and can be cautious around new objects such as bait stations.
Quick distinction
When distinguishing a Norway rat from a roof rat, pull the tail back over the body. A roof rat tail can reach the nose. A Norway rat tail usually does not reach beyond the ears.
Baiting behaviour
Neophobia must be allowed for when bait stations are introduced.
Rats often avoid unfamiliar objects in their environment. A newly placed bait station can be treated as an obstacle for several days before the rat approaches it. Allow approximately one week before relocating a bait station if no feeding is found, unless the current product label or site risk assessment requires a different approach.
Rats rely strongly on smell, taste, touch and hearing. They generally see poorly and respond more to light and darkness than to colour. This makes route placement, bait freshness and station cleanliness critical.
Movement and harbourage
Rodents move for food, water, shelter and breeding partners.
These are voluntary movements. Rodents can also move involuntarily through transported goods, vehicles and other carried materials. Rat activity is often strongest two to three hours after darkness starts, with a smaller activity peak before sunrise.
Females can move significant distances in a night, and males may range further. This means inspection should follow routes, harbourage, feed and water points rather than relying on isolated bait placement.
Cleanliness
Dirty or contaminated bait reduces control performance.
Keep bait and bait stations clean. Contaminated bait can lead to poor rodent control. Common contamination sources include dirty hands, diesel or chemical smells, rodent urine, dust, feathers, insects, frogs or debris inside the station.
When inspecting bait stations, clean out debris and replace spoiled bait according to the current label and site procedure.
Inspection signs
Look for runs, grease marks, droppings, odour and damage.
A rat run is usually a route between food or water and a nest. Outdoors, runs may appear as narrow, clear pathways in grass or along structures. Indoors, runs often follow walls, overhanging pipes, cable routes and areas free of dust or cobwebs.
- Droppings: number and freshness help estimate activity level.
- Grease marks: oily dirt marks can appear where several rats pass through small entrances.
- Footprints: dust on beams, pipes and ledges can reveal active runways.
- Odour: persistent smell may indicate established harbourage.
- Damage: rodents chew continuously, including electrical wires, drinker pipes, timber, lead and fittings.
Mice
The house mouse feeds frequently and can persist without free water.
The house mouse mainly lives in and around buildings, but can also survive in fields for part of the year. Mice eat similar foods to humans, including meats, grains, cereals, seeds, fruits and vegetables.
Mice may visit a food supply many times per day, which increases damage and contamination risk. Unlike rats, mice can survive without free water for long periods when moist food is available. Bait placement for mice must therefore be closer, more numerous and aligned with active runways and nesting areas.
Product-specific instruction remains primary
This page is practical support material only. Product labels, registration certificates, safety data sheets, Trem cards and other current compliance documents remain the controlling source for product use.
Quick answers
Common rodent-control questions.
What should be checked before rodent bait is placed?
Inspect active runs, grease marks, droppings, footprints, odour, damage, harbourage, food and water sources before deciding where bait stations should be placed.
Why might rats avoid a new bait station?
Rats can be cautious around unfamiliar objects. A new station may be avoided for several days, so allow approximately one week before relocating it unless the current label or site risk assessment requires another approach.
How does bait placement for mice differ from placement for rats?
Mice feed frequently and can persist without free water when moist food is available. Their placements should therefore be closer together, more numerous and aligned with active runways and nesting areas.
Which instructions control how a Supa-Kill product must be used?
The current product label and applicable compliance documents remain the controlling source. This rodent-information page is practical support material only.