When the first heavy rains arrive and the evenings turn cool, many Maltese homeowners and businesses start hearing scratching in the ceiling or finding droppings behind the cooker. Good rat control in Malta starts with knowing which rodent you're dealing with, why it's coming indoors, and how to close the doors it's using.
- Malta has three common household rodents: the brown rat, the black rat and the house mouse.
- Black rats live high up (roofs, false ceilings); brown rats live low down (drains, yards, garages).
- A mouse can get through a gap of about 6 mm – sealing small holes is the single most effective step.
- Fresh droppings after cleaning, daytime sightings or activity in several rooms mean it's time to call a professional.
Which rodents live in Malta?
A 2012 study of the mammals of Comino and its islets, by Maltese naturalist and pest controller Arnold Sciberras and colleagues, summarises the three "commensal" rodents – the ones that live alongside people – found across the Maltese Islands.1
- Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) – widespread on the main islands and many small islets; common and sometimes very common.
- Black rat (Rattus rattus) – found on Malta, Gozo and Comino but more locally; most records come from Valletta and the harbour cities, and where it occurs it is numerous.
- House mouse (Mus musculus) – widespread, very common and abundant throughout the archipelago.
Black rat vs brown rat: how to tell them apart
The two species behave differently, and that changes where traps and baits should go. Here's how to tell them apart, based on guidance from the University of California's Integrated Pest Management programme.2
| Feature | Black rat (roof rat) | Brown rat (Norway rat) |
|---|---|---|
| Build | Smaller, sleek, agile | Larger, stocky |
| Weight | About 140–280 g | About 200–510 g |
| Tail | At least as long as head and body; uniformly dark | Shorter than head and body; dark above, pale below |
| Muzzle | Pointed | Blunt |
| Ears | Large – reach the eyes when folded forward | Smaller – don't reach the eyes |
| Nests | High up: roof spaces, ceiling voids, cabinets, trees | Low down: burrows, drains, ground floors, basements |
When both share a building, brown rats usually take the lower floors and black rats the upper ones. In Maltese terms that means brown rats around drains, wells, back yards and garages, and black rats along cables, in false ceilings, on rooftops and in the timber roofs of older houses and farmhouses. House mice can turn up anywhere – kitchen cupboards and behind appliances are favourites.
Why rodents come indoors in winter
Rats and mice need three things: food, water and shelter. In winter, rain floods burrows and drains and outdoor food becomes scarcer, so dry, sheltered buildings become far more attractive.
Malta's built environment gives them plenty of options. In an interview with MaltaToday, Arnold Sciberras pointed to rubbish left out overnight, food scraps on construction sites, and building work that leaves leaks, sewage problems and unsealed gaps.3 Shared drains in terraced streets, service shafts in apartment blocks and old limestone walls with gaps around pipes all act as rodent highways.
Why small problems grow fast: black rats can have 3–5 litters a year of up to 8 young, and a single brown rat female can wean 20 or more young a year.
Signs of rats or mice in your home
- Droppings near food, pet bowls, bins or along walls.
- Gnaw marks – about 4 mm wide for rats, about 2 mm for mice.
- Greasy rub marks on beams, pipes and skirting where rodents run repeatedly.
- Noises in roof spaces or false ceilings, especially at night.
- Burrows under paving, garden debris, sheds or bin areas.
- Chewed wiring – rats gnaw cables, which can create a fire risk.
Why it matters: health and property
Rats can spread leptospirosis, foodborne bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli and Campylobacter, and rat-bite fever, and their droppings and hair can trigger allergies. Damage to cables, pipes and stored goods is the other big cost.
Rats affect Malta's wildlife too: research by Sciberras and Schembri linked the sharp decline of the endemic St Paul's Island wall lizard (Podarcis filfolensis kieselbachi) on Selmunett to predation by rats, whose numbers grew on food waste left by visitors.4
How to rodent-proof a Maltese home or business
- Seal entry points. Seal any hole larger than about 6 mm to keep out both rats and mice – rats can squeeze under a door with a gap of about 12 mm. Check around pipes, cables and air-conditioning lines; fit door sweeps or brush strips under doors; cover vents and drains with galvanised wire mesh (not chicken wire); and check roof openings, chimneys and cable entry points.
- Remove food. Keep bins lidded and only put rubbish out on collection evenings, store pet food in sealed containers, don't leave food out for strays overnight, and pick up fallen fruit in gardens.
- Remove shelter. Clear clutter in yards, garages and roof spaces, store items off the floor, and trim plants or branches touching the house.
- Trap carefully. Snap traps along walls – or on ledges and beams for black rats – work well. Leaving traps baited but unset for a few days first reduces trap-shyness. Never handle rodents with bare hands.
- Be cautious with poisons. Rodenticides are toxic to dogs, cats and other animals, both directly and when they eat poisoned rodents. Always follow the label, use tamper-resistant bait stations and remove leftover bait. For homes with children or pets, and for food businesses, a professional programme is the safer route.
When to call a professional
If you see rodents in daylight, find fresh droppings again after cleaning, hear activity in several rooms, or run a restaurant, shop or hotel where food safety is at stake, it's time for a professional inspection.
For rodents in public areas such as valleys, streets or open land, the Environmental Health Directorate is responsible for rodent control,5 and you can also alert your local council.
Noticed any of these signs?
The Exterminator carries out inspections across Malta and Gozo. We identify the species, seal entry points and set up a safe monitoring and baiting plan for your home or business.
Book an inspectionFrequently asked questions
How do I know if I have rats or mice?
Look at droppings and gnaw marks. Rat gnaw marks are about 4 mm wide; mouse marks about 2 mm. Rats are also much larger, with bigger heads and feet relative to their bodies.
How small a gap can a mouse get through?
Pest experts recommend sealing any hole bigger than about 6 mm to keep out both mice and rats. Rats can squeeze under a door with a gap of around 12 mm.
Why do I hear scratching in my ceiling at night?
In Malta this is often the black rat, a strong climber that nests in roof spaces and ceiling voids. Mice are another possibility. Both are most active at night.
Are rats dangerous to my family and pets?
Rats can spread diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonella and can trigger allergies. Rat poison is also dangerous to pets, so baiting should always be done in tamper-resistant stations.
Who do I call about rats in the street in Malta?
For public areas, contact the Environmental Health Directorate or your local council. For your home or business, call a licensed pest control company such as The Exterminator.
- Sciberras, A., Sciberras, J., Sammut, M. & Aloise, G. (2012). Terrestrial mammalian fauna of Comino and its satellite islets. Biodiversity Journal 3(3): 191–200.
- University of California IPM. Pest Notes: Rats.
- MaltaToday. Rat Island: how we're creating the perfect environment for rodents.
- Sciberras, A. & Schembri, P.J. (2008). Conservation status of the St Paul's Island wall lizard. Herpetological Bulletin 105: 28–34.
- Times of Malta, 2 April 2024. Authorities move in on rat infestation in Wied Blandun.
