Hong Kong’s climate, narrow and overcrowding environment are ideal of certain species of rodents for living and reproduction, such as:
- House Mouse
- Norway Rat
- Roof Rat
Rodents are social animals living in family groups or colonies, eat a variety of food and are generally nocturnal. They have good senses of smell, touch and hearing. They are good at climbing, swimming and have the ability to jump up high. A rodent can locate itself and direct movement by its strong memory. Rodents are a very high reproduction rate animal. Female rodents can produce around 50 young rodents every year. Once they find a suitable place to live, they have chance to hide and multiply.
Rodents can squeeze through very small openings to gain entry, They gnaw and damage fittings, pipes wooden products and household furniture. They may also bite telephone wires, computer cables and electrical wiring, which can lead to fire.
Rodents always stay around unsanitary environments, they have the opportunity to bring parasites like fleas, ticks and mites, or transmit diseases such as plague, dysentery and typhoid. Humans and animal may infected and sick when they crawl across, their droppings and hair polluted foods, utensils and other objects, or when they are frightened and attack or bite.