Identifying Pests by their Droppings
If you’ve noticed pest droppings around your home or business and aren’t sure what’s left them behind, you’ve come to the right place.
Identifying the source of your pest problem is important because different pests call for different treatment methods.
Read on to find out about the most common pest droppings you’re likely to find in your home or business premises in Australia (and what you can do about them).
Rat droppings
Rat faeces are usually a shiny dark brown or black colour and look like small pellets. Each dropping is typically between 12 and 18 millimetres long.
Rats have long been a problem in Sydney. Recent estimates place Sydney’s rat population somewhere between 500 million and one billion.
Health risks
Rats pose a serious health risk because they carry disease-causing bacteria on their bodies, in their faeces, and in their urine. They scavenge constantly for food and defecate and urinate frequently as they move.
What to do
The two main ways to get rid of rats are via traps and poison baits.
Mouse droppings
It’s easy to tell the difference between rat and mouse droppings. Though both are dark in colour and pellet-shaped, mouse scat is much smaller.
They’re usually about the size of a grain of rice (or even smaller). As mice are smaller than rats, their faeces are also smaller, with pointed ends and a brown, black or white colour.
Health risks
Like rats, mice can carry a range of diseases, bacteria and parasites that are harmful to humans.
What to do
As with rats, the two main ways to get rid of mice are via poison baits and traps.
Possum droppings
The size and appearance of possum droppings can vary depending on the species and what the animal has been eating.
A common species is the ring-tailed possum. Its scat is pellet-shaped, usually about one centimetre long, and either dark brown or black.
Health risks
Possum droppings can be dangerous if accidentally ingested. For example, if you handle it to clean up and don’t thoroughly wash your hands afterwards.
What to do
If you notice possum droppings in or around your property, remove and disinfect the area as soon as possible. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
You can also take some simple measures to make your property less attractive to possums, like:
- Removing potential food sources, such as outdoor compost bins or pet water bowls left in the yard.
- Blocking off any potential access points to the inside of your roof (where possums may be tempted to find cosy shelter).
- Adding outdoor sensor lights to act as a deterrent.
Cockroach droppings
The size of cockroach droppings varies depending on the size of the cockroach.
Smaller cockroach droppings resemble coffee grains or black pepper, while larger species leave behind solid, dark-coloured pellets. These are still much smaller than mouse faeces, though.
Health risks
Like nearly all pests, cockroaches can carry a range of bacterial and viral diseases on (or in) their bodies.
What to do
Cockroach baits, traps, sprays and repellents can help you get rid of this pest. And make sure you don’t leave food scraps lying around to attract them in the first place.
Pigeon droppings
If you’re seeing pigeon droppings, there’s a good chance you’re seeing a lot of them, even though each bird’s deposits are small. That’s because pigeons gather in flocks, so the mess builds up fast.
Healthy pigeon droppings tend to be firm and white or brown in colour. Those from unhealthy birds are similar in colour but softer in consistency.
Health risks
Pigeons and their droppings can carry pathogens that may trigger respiratory infections and other health issues.
What to do
One of the most effective ways to get rid of pigeons around your premises is to block their access to areas where they’ll be able to nest and congregate.
Termite droppings
Termite frass is very small, usually only about one millimetre long, and resembles fine dust or small wood shavings.
Health risks
Unlike many other pests, termites don’t carry diseases that are overly harmful to humans. But some people can have allergic reactions to them.
Termites can certainly damage your financial health, though. They feed on timber, which means they can silently compromise your property’s structural integrity and cause significant damage.
What to do
If you suspect that termites have infested your property, call a reputable termite control professional as soon as possible for a termite inspection.
You should also have a regular treatment to termite-proof your home.
Bed bug droppings
As the name suggests, bed bugs often leave their droppings in your bed, since they feed on blood while you sleep. You may also find their faecal deposits on nearby surfaces.
Wherever you find them, they appear as small, dark spots or rusty smear marks, roughly the size of a marker pen full stop.
Health risks
Bed bugs aren’t known to spread diseases to humans, but they can cause you to itch (which will disrupt your sleep). And no one wants uninvited pests in their bed.
What to do
Getting rid of bed bugs usually requires chemical treatments. Make sure you use a safe insecticide that’s suitable for use on bedding. Better yet, hire a licensed pest control professional to handle the treatment safely and effectively.
How can we help
At Forensic Pest Control, our expert team can help you get rid of any pests in your home or business premises. The simple truth is that finding pest droppings or other signs of activity means your property is already home to one or more pests.
We service a wide range of residential, industrial and commercial properties in the greater Sydney area. We guarantee our services, and we only use non-toxic, environmentally friendly pest control products.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you get on top of pests and keep them gone for good.