Body Structure

Rodents possess powerful incisors that grow continuously throughout life and must be worn down by constant gnawing. Their whiskers are highly sensitive, helping them navigate in darkness, while their keen sense of smell and hearing assists them in locating food and avoiding danger.

Life Cycle

Rodents are mammals and give birth to live young. Under favourable conditions, many pest species breed throughout the year and mature quickly, allowing populations to increase rapidly.

Reproduction: Most pest rodents reproduce throughout the year when food, water and shelter are readily available.

Growth & Lifespan: Young rodents mature quickly, with many species capable of breeding within just a few months of birth.

Behaviour: Rodents are primarily nocturnal and spend much of the day hidden in burrows, roof voids, wall cavities, false ceilings and storage areas.

Habitat: Rodents occupy a wide variety of environments, including homes, restaurants, warehouses, farms, drains and sewers.

Diet: Most pest rodents are omnivorous and readily feed on cereals, grains, fruits, vegetables, pet food and many other human food products.

Rodents don’t just look for existing gaps — their constantly growing incisors let them gnaw new ones. Small gaps around doors, utility pipes, drainage systems and foundations provide easy access, while kitchens, pantries, storage areas and roof spaces offer ideal nesting sites once inside.

In nature, rodents are preyed upon by snakes, owls, hawks, cats, foxes and other carnivorous animals. Indoors, however, these natural predators are largely absent, allowing rodent populations to establish if favourable conditions persist.

Rodents contaminate food and food preparation areas with urine, droppings and hair. Their continuous gnawing damages electrical wiring, insulation, plastic pipes, timber, packaging materials and stored goods, resulting in costly repairs and, in some cases, increasing the risk of electrical fires.

In addition to property damage, rodents are associated with numerous diseases and parasites, making them an important public health concern in homes, commercial premises and food-handling establishments.

Rodent Sightings: Rodents are primarily nocturnal. Regular daytime sightings may indicate a well-established infestation as competition for food and shelter increases.

Droppings: Small, dark droppings are commonly found along walls, inside cupboards and near food sources.

Gnaw Marks: Fresh gnaw marks on timber, cables, plastic materials or food packaging indicate active rodent activity.

Scratching Noises: Scratching or scampering sounds from ceilings, walls or roof voids are often heard at night.

Grease Marks: Dark greasy rub marks may develop along walls and frequently used travel routes.

Burrows & Nests: Burrows, shredded paper, insulation, cloth or other soft materials may indicate active nesting.

Rodents remain active throughout the year, but heavy rainfall is often the biggest trigger for a sudden indoor influx, rather than warmth or humidity alone.

In Arunachal Pradesh’s hilly terrain, this is most relevant to properties near rivers, rivulets or low-lying nallas, where flash floods can quickly overwhelm underground burrows. Bandicoot rats, given their extensive burrowing habits, are especially affected — when their burrows flood, they’re displaced and move indoors seeking dry shelter. This means sightings can increase sharply after a heavy downpour, particularly for properties close to these waterways, rather than building gradually across the season.