Rats & Mice

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Rats and mice are almost always present throughout cities and suburban areas due to the opportunities for food and shelter afforded by human activity.  In established suburbs, food and water is readily available from such things as drainage systems, vines, fruit and palm trees. So, it’s not unusual to expect a background level to be ever present.  Rodent numbers, like those of many wild animals, fluctuate according to a number of factors, including the season.

On the City’s part, maintenance of infrastructure, including weed/grass control in parks and drainage basins, helps to reduce harbourage opportunity for rodents.

You can control rodent populations by limiting the food and shelter available and by following these steps:

  • Stacking wood about 40 cm off the ground and away from sides of sheds and fences;
  • Removing fruit and nuts from vines and trees at the end of the season, picking up rotten fruit from the ground and removing fruit from palm trees when in bloom;
  • Keeping the backyard as clean and as free of debris as possible;
  • Maintaining rubbish and compost bins in good repair, with secure lids and free from holes;
  • Keeping pet dishes clean and storing bulk pet food in closed containers; and
  • Regularly removing garden waste from sheds and the yard.

Eradication

Baiting and trapping are the most common ways of eliminating your unwanted guests.

Baiting involves laying poison baits along rodent paths and in roof and wall cavities that are easily accessible. However, ensure the bait isn’t accessible to children or pets. Most supermarkets and hardware stores sell rodent bait, with the active ingredients of Bromodiolone or Brodifacoum.

There are two types of rodent traps – the old-fashioned snap back trap and the more recent, capture-box style of trap. Different types of bait can be used including peanut butter, bacon, chocolate and nuts. Placement of the trap should be in the rodent’s pathway, but never above food or food preparation surfaces, to avoid contamination by urine, droppings or blood.

For more information on rats see the Department of Health's website Rodents and Rats

Reporting issues

If after following the advice above you still experience rodent problems you may report the issue to the City for further investigation either by telephoning 9267 9267 or following the link to our investigation request form.

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