Rats

Rat Prevention and Control

Rats thrive with humans and are a common problem in all areas. We provide food, water and places where rats can nest in our homes, gardens, parks, drains and watercourses. While rats are a common pest in the urban environment, there are some easy actions you can take to limit their ability to breed in and around your property.

Rats require food, water and shelter. They will eat practically anything including fruit, vegetables, nuts, flowers, snails and pet food. While rats can burrow, they prefer ready-made habitats in roof spaces, under floors, in garden sheds, under wood heaps or in dry, restricted areas between fences and buildings where miscellaneous items are often stored.

The presence of rats does not necessarily indicate nearby harbourage as rats can travel several house blocks, usually along fences and vegetation to source food and water

Obvious indicators of rat infestation

• Accumulation of droppings, black thin and approximately 1cm long
• “Rat run” created by the rats running along a wall or fence. Rats tend to leave greasy smears on walls or fences if they use that run for some time
• Gnawing of wood, plastic, wiring or other items
• Food scraps left, such as empty almond or snail shells

What can you do?

• If you feel there is a problem with rats in your area, the first step is to communicate with your neighbours to identify the extent of the problem. Encourage neighbours to undertake baiting, as treating at the same time which will be much more effective in controlling and eradicating rats
• While trapping and baiting is recommended, other rats may move in if living conditions are still favourable. For long-term protection against re-infestation, rats must be deprived of food and shelter
• If you have fruit trees, vegetable gardens or poultry it is likely that you will attract rats on an ongoing basis. In these cases it is recommended that you undertake baiting yourself regularly (weekly of monthly). Rat Bait is inexpensive and available from supermarkets and hardware stores. Be sure to store rat bait in bait stations to prevent unintended off target damage to native wildlife and domestic pets

Remove food sources

• Wrap food scraps before placing in the bin and keep the lid closed at all times
• Ensure a compost heap is enclosed in a compost bin
• Keep a poultry yard and aviaries clear of all waste materials
• Regularly clean poultry yards and aviaries and only provide enough food for one day
• Store poultry food and animal food in metal bins with tight fitting lids and regularly remove any left over animal food
• Protect fruit/nut trees by fitting metal collars to trunks to prevent rats from climbing them
• Harvest fruit and nuts or gather windfalls and dispose of them properly

Remove shelter

• Stack wood/timber and iron sheets off the ground (at least 30cm) and away from fences/sheds
• Clear house, sheds and land of all excess or unused materials, if such items are wanted then regularly check for rats and bait the area
• Maintain roofing iron or tiles so rats cannot force access into the roof space from the guttering
• Prune branches or vines which can reach onto or near roofs, guttering, downpipes or over-head electrical wiring
• Repair any damage to wall linings, vents or tiles to prevent rat access

Baiting stations

Rat baits need to be secured in the garden and designed to keep the bait fresh and protected. A short length of PVC pipe with the bait inside and secured in the area where the rats are active can make a good baiting station. Check the baiting station daily and replenish the bait as required

Disposal of rat carcases

For disposal, bury the carcases in the ground or place them in the domestic rubbish bin to ensure that native wildlife and pets don’t eat the poisoned animal. Be aware that if baiting occurs inside your house or roof cavity, odour problems may result due to the rat carcases being difficult to access and removed