What Kind of Rodent Is in My House?

Have you ever heard a sound at night like scratching through the walls? Or spotted some droppings in your kitchen area? If so, then that’s the sign that you have a rodent inside your house.

As you may know, rodents are common in Australian homes, especially in urban area like Sydney. They are not just a nuisance, but they can also pose a serious threat to your health, home, and safety due to the damage they cause and the diseases they carry.

However, identifying the type of rodents in your house is the first step to solving the problem quickly and effectively. Let’s break down the household rodents, the signs they leave behind, and when it’s time to call in professional help from Sydney Pest Crew.

Common Rodents Found in Australian Homes

Most indoor rodent problems fall into two categories: mice or rats. While they may seem similar, they behave very differently, and knowing which one you’re dealing with makes control far easier.

Mice

Do you see tiny creatures scribbling around your space? That’s a mouse! They are small, fast, and curious. They can actually squeeze through incredibly small gaps and often go unnoticed until numbers increase.

Common signs of mice include:

• Small, rice-sized droppings.
• Light, quick scurrying noises at night.
• Chewed food packaging, often with small, fine nibble marks.
• Nests made from shredded paper, fabric, or insulation.

If you let them go around untreated, they'll reproduce so quickly it will seem as if they own your home.

Roof Rats

Rats are larger, more destructive, and often more cautious. In Sydney homes, Roof Rats (Black Rats) are especially common, nesting in ceilings and wall cavities. They are known for excellent climbers. They prefer to live up, which is why your classic "scratching in the ceiling at night" is almost always a sign of a roof rat infestation.

Signs: You'll see their movements high up: along beams, in the eaves, and hear them above your head.

Sydney Hotspot: Suburbs near parklands or dense gardens.

The Norway Rat

The Norway rat is much heavier and less agile. They are burrowers and prefer to live underground. While they can climb, they primarily enter homes at the ground level, often via broken sewage pipes or drainage issues.

• Signs: You'll find burrows or holes in the ground near foundations or under concrete slabs.
• Sydney Hotspot: Areas close to water, older city buildings, or commercial centres with extensive drainage systems.

If you’re hearing noises in your roof, you know your focus needs to be on sealing entry points up high. If you suspect rats are burrowing in your yard, the focus is on sealing ground-level gaps and drainage.

How to Tell Which Rodent You Have

Look at the Droppings

• Pointed and small, with a 3 to 7 mm size, most likely a sign of a mouse.
• A large and capsule-shaped object within the 12 to 18 mm size is a sign of a rat.

Listen for Noises

• Light, quick scurrying often means mice.
• Heavier movement or banging, or thumping points to rats, especially the common roof rat in your ceiling.

Check for Damage

• Minor, clean nibbling suggests mice.
• Deep, rough gnaw marks and severe chewing on structural wood or wiring suggest rats.

Notice Pet Behaviour

Pets often sense rodents before humans do. Excessive barking, sniffing walls, or staring intently at the ceiling can be an early warning sign of either a rat or mouse problem

Where Rodents Commonly Hide

Rodents prefer warm, hidden spaces close to food and water. Common hiding spots in a Sydney house include:

• Roof voids and wall cavities where rats often nest.
• Under sinks and behind appliances, kitchen and laundry areas.
• Garages and storage areas are less frequently used spaces.
• Inside cupboards and pantries often mice.

Expert Tip: If rodents are active during the day, it often means the infestation has grown very large, and competition for food is forcing them out. It’s important to call a professional pest control expert in Sydney immediately.

Let the Experts Pest Control Do the Job

When you’re unsure whether you have rats or mice, and if signs keep returning call our licensed rodent exterminator in Sydney from Sydney Pest Crew. Our rat removal solution can:

• Identify the exact rodent species.
• Locate hidden nests and primary entry points.
• Provide long-term, safe control solutions that target the root of the problem.

Professional rodent control in Sydney saves time, prevents damage to your structure and wiring, and protects your household’s health.

Act Early for Best Results

Rodents always find their way to your home if you don’t act right away. The longer they stay, the more damage they cause. By recognising the signs early and identifying what kind of rodent is in your house, you can take fast, effective action.

And, if you notice the problem feels bigger than a simple fix, don’t wait. Expert rodent pest control makes sure your home stays safe, clean, and rodent-free for the long term.