Brown / Norway rat
Rattus norvegicus
Size: 20–25 cm body
Heavy, blunt-nosed rat that burrows in soil, lives in sewers and drains and enters ground floors and basements.
Pest guide · Chuha · چوہا
Rat & Mice (Rodent) Control
Rats and mice contaminate food, spread disease and chew through cables. We remove the current population, seal the gaps they use and set up monitoring so they don’t return.
Introduction
What are rats & mice?
Rodents are one of the most damaging pests in homes and businesses. Their front teeth never stop growing, so they gnaw constantly — through doors, plastic pipes, packaging and electrical cables. A single pair of mice can produce dozens of offspring within months, so a small problem grows quickly.
In Pakistan we regularly deal with the brown (Norway) rat, which burrows and lives around drains and ground floors, the agile roof rat, which lives in false ceilings, trees and upper floors, the house mouse, and the lesser bandicoot rat, a major pest in cities, markets and farmland. Monsoon flooding and cold winters drive rodents indoors in search of shelter and food.
Professional rodent control is not just about poison. Our IPM approach combines inspection, proofing entry points, sanitation advice, locked tamper-resistant bait stations and mechanical traps, and ongoing monitoring with documented reports.
- Size
- Mice 6–10 cm · rats 16–25 cm (plus tail)
- Entry gap
- Mice ~6 mm · rats ~12 mm
- Peak season
- Winter & after monsoon flooding
- Found in
- Kitchens, roofs, false ceilings, drains, stores
Species
Common rats & mice species in Pakistan
Correct identification decides the treatment. These are the types our technicians find most often.
Roof / black rat
Rattus rattus
Size: 16–20 cm body
Slim, excellent climber with a tail longer than its body. Nests in roofs, false ceilings, trees and upper storeys.
House mouse
Mus musculus
Size: 6–10 cm body
Small, curious and able to squeeze through a 6 mm gap. Nests inside walls, cupboards, appliances and stored goods.
Lesser bandicoot rat
Bandicota bengalensis
Size: 15–25 cm body
A common burrowing rat in South Asian cities and farms; digs extensive tunnels and causes heavy damage to stored food.
Health risk
Why rats & mice are a problem
Disease transmission
Rodents can spread leptospirosis, salmonellosis and rat-bite fever through urine, droppings and bites, and carry fleas and mites.
Food contamination
They contaminate far more food than they eat with droppings, urine and hair — a serious risk in kitchens, bakeries and warehouses.
Fire & equipment damage
Gnawed electrical cables can cause short circuits and fires; rodents also damage AC units, vehicles, computers and machinery.
Structural & stock losses
Burrows undermine floors and foundations, and gnawed packaging and stock lead to direct financial losses.
Warning signs
Signs of a rat or mouse infestation
- Droppings — rice-sized (mice) or bean-sized (rats) — along walls and in cupboards
- Gnaw marks on doors, cables, pipes and packaging
- Scratching or running sounds in ceilings and walls at night
- Greasy rub marks along walls and entry holes
- Burrows near foundations, drains and gardens
- A strong ammonia-like smell in enclosed spaces
Solution for this pest
How PestVira gets rid of rats & mice
Our Integrated Pest Management process for rats & mice — the least-hazardous effective method, applied exactly where it is needed.
Inspection & tracking
We trace droppings, rub marks, runways and entry points inside and outside, including roofs, false ceilings and drainage lines.
Proofing plan
We recommend (or fit) mesh, door sweeps, pipe collars and gap sealing so rodents can’t get back in once the current population is removed.
Baiting & trapping
Locked, tamper-resistant bait stations are placed on the perimeter and runways; snap traps and mechanical traps are used indoors and in food areas. Every station is numbered and mapped.
Monitoring & reporting
Regular checks record activity at every station. Commercial clients receive service reports and a site map suitable for audits.
Treatment methods we use
Rodent proofing & exclusionTamper-resistant bait stationsSnap & multi-catch trapsBurrow treatmentAudit-ready monitoring reports
Prevention
How to prevent rats & mice
- Seal gaps around pipes, doors, drains and cables — mice fit through 6 mm.
- Fit self-closing doors and door sweeps in kitchens and stores.
- Store food and grain in sealed metal or thick plastic containers.
- Keep garbage bins closed and remove waste daily.
- Trim trees and creepers away from roofs and windows.
- Keep store rooms tidy and stock raised off the floor.
People also ask
Rats & Mice: questions people ask
Answers to the most searched questions about rats & mice in Pakistan.
Ask us a questionHow do I get rid of rats in my house permanently?
Permanent control combines removing the current rats (bait stations and traps) with proofing — sealing every gap they use to get in — and removing easy food and shelter. Without proofing, new rats move in to replace the ones removed.
Is rat poison safe to use at home?
Loose poison is dangerous to children, pets and other animals, and poisoned rats can die inside walls and cause odours. Professionals use locked, tamper-resistant bait stations placed where only rodents can access the bait, and traps inside living areas.
What diseases do rats spread?
Rats and mice can spread diseases such as leptospirosis, salmonellosis and rat-bite fever through their urine, droppings and bites, and their fleas and mites can carry other infections.
How do rats get into buildings?
Through gaps around pipes and cables, drains and floor traps, open doors and vents, roof edges and tree branches. Rats need a gap of only about 12 mm and mice about 6 mm.
How long does rodent control take?
Most home infestations are brought under control within 1–3 weeks, depending on the population size and how quickly proofing is completed. Businesses usually continue with monthly monitoring.
Why do I hear rats in the ceiling at night?
Roof rats and mice nest in false ceilings and roof spaces, where it is warm and undisturbed, and are most active at night. Noises in the ceiling usually mean there is an entry point at roof level that needs sealing.
Related pests
Often found together with rats & mice
Get rid of rats & mice — book a free inspection.
Our technician will confirm the species, show you where they are coming from and give you a written treatment plan and quote.