Rats

Physical Characteristics: Brown rats are typically medium-sized rodents with brown or greyish-brown fur. They have a robust body, pointed snout, and a long, scaly tail that is shorter than their body length.

Size: Adult brown rats typically measure about 7 to 10 inches (18 to 25 cm) in body length, with a tail length of 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm).

Habitat: Brown rats are highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of environments. They are commonly found in urban areas, agricultural lands, sewers, and natural habitats. They often create burrows or nests in secluded places.

Diet: Brown rats are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders. They consume a wide range of food, including grains, fruits, vegetables, insects, small vertebrates, and even scavenged human food.

Behaviour: These rodents are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night. They are excellent climbers and swimmers, allowing them to access various food sources and escape predators.

Reproduction: Brown rats are prolific breeders. A single pair of rats and their offspring can produce thousands of descendants in just one year. The gestation period is about 21 to 23 days, and a female can have several litters per year, each consisting of 6 to 12 pups.

Disease Vectors: Brown rats can carry diseases such as leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and rat-bite fever, making them a potential health concern in areas with human populations.

Pest Control: Due to their adaptability and ability to reproduce rapidly, brown rats are often considered pests. They can cause damage to crops, property, and food stores. Pest control measures are frequently employed to manage their populations in urban and agricultural areas.

Intelligence: Brown rats are known for their problem-solving abilities and adaptability, which makes them challenging to control in some situations.

Natural Predators: Natural predators of brown rats include birds of prey, snakes, and some mammals. However, their adaptability and prolific breeding often allow them to maintain stable populations.

Brown rats are a common and highly adaptable species that have successfully established themselves in various environments worldwide. Their ability to thrive in urban areas has made them a frequent encounter in cities and towns

Mice

Physical Characteristics: House mice are small with a slender body, pointy snout, and relatively large ears compared to their body size. They have fur that varies in colour, often ranging from light brown to grey, but can also include shades of black.

Size: Adult house mice typically measure about 2.5 to 3.75 inches (6.35 to 9.5 cm) in body length, with a tail of similar length.

Habitat: As the name suggests, house mice are well-adapted to living in close proximity to humans. They are found in homes, buildings, farms, and various urban and rural environments worldwide.

Diet: House mice are omnivores and opportunistic feeders. They will eat a wide range of foods, including grains, seeds, fruits, insects, and even small amounts of human food. Their diet can vary depending on their environment.

Behaviour: House mice are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night. They are excellent climbers and can squeeze through small openings, allowing them to access food sources and shelter.

Reproduction: House mice are prolific breeders. A single pair of mice and their offspring can produce hundreds of descendants in a year. The gestation period is about 19 to 21 days, and a female can have multiple litters annually, with each litter typically consisting of 5 to 6 pups.

Pest Concern: House mice are often considered pests when they invade homes and structures. They can cause damage to property by gnawing on wires, wood, and insulation. They are also known for contaminating food stores with their droppings and urine.

Disease Vectors: House mice can carry diseases such as hantavirus, salmonellosis, and leptospirosis. Their presence in close proximity to humans can pose health risks.

Natural Predators: Natural predators of house mice include birds of prey, snakes, and some mammals. However, their rapid reproduction and ability to adapt to various environments often allow them to maintain stable populations.

Control: Pest control measures, such as traps and bait stations, are commonly used to manage house mouse populations when they become a nuisance in homes and businesses.

Wasps & Hornets

Physical Characteristics: Wasps vary in size and coloration, but many species have a slender body with black and yellow stripes. Some species may be black, brown, or even metallic blue or green.

Size: The size of a wasp can range from less than half an inch to more than two inches in length, depending on the species.

Habitat: Wasps are found worldwide and occupy a wide range of habitats, including forests, gardens, urban areas, and agricultural fields. They often build nests in sheltered locations.

Diet: Most wasps are omnivores. Adult wasps typically feed on nectar, pollen, and sugary substances, while they hunt insects, caterpillars, and other small prey to feed their developing larvae.

Behaviour: Wasps are social insects that live in colonies. These colonies can range from a few dozen to several thousand individuals, depending on the species. They play essential roles in pollination and pest control by preying on other insects.

Reproduction: In a wasp colony, there is typically a queen, worker wasps, and male wasps (drones). The queen lays eggs, and the worker wasps tend to the nest and forage for food. Male wasps are responsible for mating with the queen. Some wasp species can be highly territorial and defensive of their nests.

Nesting: Wasps build nests from paper-like material, which they create by chewing wood and mixing it with saliva. The nests can be found in various locations, such as tree branches, eaves, and underground burrows.

Stingers: Most female wasps have stingers, which they use primarily for defense and subduing prey. Unlike honeybees, which can only sting once, some wasp species can sting multiple times.

Sting: Wasps are known for their painful stings, which can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. While not all wasp species are aggressive, some can become aggressive if they perceive a threat to their nest.

Role in Ecosystem: Wasps play a crucial role in ecosystems by helping control insect populations, including agricultural pests. They are also pollinators for various plants.

Nuisance: While wasps have important ecological roles, they can be considered pests when their nests are in close proximity to human activity, leading to stings and potential allergic reactions.

Control: When wasp nests pose a threat to humans, pest control measures, such as nest removal or treatment, may be necessary to mitigate the risk.

Flies

Housefly (Musca domestica): These are the most common flies found in homes. They are often attracted to food waste and decaying organic matter. Houseflies can carry disease-causing bacteria.

Bluebottle Fly (Calliphora vomitoria): These large, metallic blue flies are often found around carrion and animal faeces. They are scavengers and play a role in breaking down organic material.

Fruit Fly (Drosophila spp.): These tiny flies are attracted to overripe fruits and fermented liquids. They are common in kitchens and fruit markets.

Cluster Fly (Pollenia rudis): Cluster flies are known for gathering in large numbers inside homes during the winter months. They are not harmful but can be a nuisance.