The rodents guide
Identification, behaviour, risks and prevention: answers to the most common questions about rats and mice.
Rats and mice: how to tell them apart
The brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) measures up to 40 cm including the tail, weighs 200 to 500 g, and favours basements, pipework and outdoor spaces. The house mouse (Mus musculus) is far smaller (6 to 9 cm excluding the tail, 20 to 30 g) and can squeeze through gaps under a centimetre wide, making it a formidable presence even in well-maintained homes. If in doubt about which species you're dealing with, our rodent control treatment always starts with an on-site diagnosis.
Extremely fast breeding
A mouse reaches sexual maturity at 6 weeks old and can have up to 8 litters a year, with 5 to 6 pups each. An untreated rodent pair can produce dozens of offspring within a few months alone — which is exactly why acting quickly with a fast intervention at the first signs matters.
Real health and property risks
Rodents carry diseases transmissible to humans (leptospirosis, salmonellosis) through their urine and droppings, and constantly gnaw through electrical cables, insulation and wooden structures — a genuine fire and property-damage risk. Their presence in a business premises (catering, residential buildings) can also lead to health sanctions; our professional rodent control resolves this durably.
Preventing a new infestation
Sealing access points (pipework, vents, door thresholds), storing food in airtight containers and keeping vegetation away from façades are the most effective habits. Our Certibiocide-certified technicians install secure bait stations in line with official biocide product regulations and provide advice tailored to your home or business premises. In a condominium, this also raises a question of organisation — see our article rodents in a condominium: who acts, who pays.
How much does rodent control cost?
Rodent control for a home starts at €300 including tax for an area up to 50 sqm, with both necessary visits (2 in total) included. Learn more about our rodent control treatment or see the full breakdown on our pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
Rodents: the full FAQ
Droppings along skirting boards, gnaw marks on packaging or cables, scratching noises at night and a distinctive smell are the most common signs of rodents.
A rat is larger (up to 40cm including the tail) with a wider snout, while a mouse is smaller and slender, with large ears relative to its body size.
A mouse can squeeze through a gap of less than 1cm. The most common entry points are service ducts, air vents, poorly fitted doors and cracks in the façade.
Yes, they can carry diseases transmissible through their droppings, urine or bites, and can contaminate stored food.
Very fast: a mouse can have several litters a year, which is why an isolated sighting can turn into a full infestation within weeks.
Chewed electrical cables (fire risk), damaged insulation, contaminated food and damaged wooden structures are among the most common types of damage.
For an isolated sighting, this can be enough. But facing an established colony, a professional diagnosis is needed to identify all entry points and treat the problem for good.
Sealing identified access points, limiting access to food and keeping storage areas clean are the best long-term prevention measures.
A single mouse can sometimes be dealt with alone, but it can also be a sign of a larger colony. If in doubt, a professional diagnosis avoids nasty surprises.
Numerous fresh droppings, frequent noises in different parts of the home, and regular tracking marks along walls signal an advanced infestation requiring prompt action.
Signs of rodents at home?
The sooner we act, the sooner the situation is under control. Available 24/7.
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