House mice and brown rats ( also known as Norway rats ) are two of the most common and harmful rodents in Europe , North America , and globally. The damage they cause is multifaceted and serious, far more than just a simple sighting of a rat .
Table of contents
Why are there so many rats in Europe?
Damage caused by house mice and brown rats
Warm suggestions
Aosion's Solution
Why are there so many rats in Europe?
Why are rats and brown rats so rampant in Europe? As summer ends, the weather turns cooler and rainfall increases, rodent pests begin to gradually shift from "outdoor invading type" to "seeking shelter type . "
Brief analysis of the reasons:
Seeking shelter : As temperatures drop in autumn and food becomes scarce outdoors, mice will seek warm, dry nests to spend the winter, with houses , basements, warehouses , and garages being their first choice.
Reproduction Needs: Once mice have settled indoors, they will continue to reproduce, and if not dealt with promptly, the indoor population can increase significantly during the winter.
Brussels and Kadir this year , the Brussels Times reports that the number of brown rats in Brussels has almost doubled in the past 10 years. This is thought to be due to warm winters, which create ideal mating conditions , and the popularity of compost bins is also thought to have boosted the city's rat population.
And in Cardiff, last year, Cardiff Council said its pest control service received 3,166 calls to reports of rodents - a 10% increase since 2023 and a 15% increase since 2022.
Damage caused by house mice and brown rats
They spread disease primarily through the following pathways: Their urine, feces, and saliva can directly contaminate stored food, kitchen countertops, and drinking water. The fleas and mites they carry can shed and bite humans and pets, spreading other diseases .
The Black Death first struck Europe in the mid-14th century, killing tens of millions. But it didn't stop there - the bacterium that caused the deaths , Yersinia pestis , lives in the black rat (Rattus rattus) and continues to cause small outbreaks hundreds of years later as fleas spread it from rats to humans . Other common rat-borne diseases include leptospirosis , hantavirus , and salmonellosis .

They also pose a safety hazard of fire and structural damage . Rats have a biological quirk: their teeth continue to grow throughout their lives, so they must constantly chew on hard objects to sharpen their teeth . They particularly like to chew on the insulation of electrical wires . Exposed wires can cause short circuits, and sparks can easily ignite surrounding insulation, wooden structures, or accumulated debris, causing fires. They will also chew on wooden doors, wooden floors, ceilings, furniture, clothing, books, documents, insulation, and any other material they can find to build nests or sharpen their teeth.

the impact on people's lives is significant . Knowing there are rats in the home can cause immense anxiety, stress, and fear, disrupting sleep and daily life . At night, the sounds of rats scurrying, gnawing, and hissing in ceilings and wall cavities can severely disrupt rest. Large amounts of rat urine produce a distinct, pungent, ammonia-like odor that's difficult to remove, polluting indoor air.
In summary, Rats and mice are not only unpleasant pests, but also serious health threats, fire hazards, and economic burdens. Any signs of their activity (such as droppings, bite marks, noise, or odor) require prompt, professional, and thorough control measures. These measures should never be taken lightly .
Warm advice for European families :
Seal entrances: Checking and sealing any cracks and holes in the exterior walls of your home, around windows, doors, and pipes is the most effective step in keeping rodents and insects out.
Keep clean: Clean up food scraps and garbage promptly, especially in the kitchen area, and store food in sealed containers.
Reduce moisture: Use a dehumidifier, fix leaks, and keep basements and garages dry to reduce the breeding of pests that prefer humid environments.
Clean up the environment: Clear away garbage, fallen leaves, weeds, and accumulated debris inside and outside the house to reduce hiding places for pests.
A osion's solution
If you discover signs of rodents or bedbugs, it's recommended to contact a professional immediately. Self-treatment is often ineffective and may exacerbate the problem , leading to a higher investment. Aosion is a manufacturer of animal repellents . Our products are specifically designed to repel a variety of animals . With 20 years of experience in pest control, we offer a variety of specialized rodent repellents (Electric Rodent Trap, Electric Rodent Killer, Electric Mice Zapper), which have earned widespread customer recognition.
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