It is common to see mice or rats on your property, or hear them in your roof, during colder months, as they seek shelter in buildings and residential areas. There are ways you can deter rodents or bait them safely and effectively.
To discourage rodents from your property:
- Stack firewood uniformly and keep it away from the sides of sheds and fences, and off the ground
- Reduce garden waste and unused materials in sheds and around the yard
- Trim shrubs, hedges and undergrowth and remove dead branches from trees, especially palm trees
- Remove fruits and nuts from trees and vines as soon as they are ripe
- Block holes and other potential access points to areas in buildings that could provide shelter
- Store pet food in sealed containers and regularly clean pet dishes and bird cages
- Ensure compost containers and rubbish bins are sealed.
If you feel that rodents are becoming a problem on your property, you may choose to use baits. Please follow these guidelines for safe and effective rodent baiting:
- Place rodent baits in an area that is safe from children or pets
- Place baits in an area where evidence of rodent activity has been observed
- Limit hand contact with baits as much as possible
- Ensure that baits are checked daily and replaced as necessary
- The contents of sachet baits should be placed into a shallow dish or container
- Ensure that baits placed in roof cavities are close enough to the manhole to be regularly checked and replaced
- Eliminate any potential food or water sources
- Ensure that baits are placed in an area that is protected from moisture or rain, unless the rodent bait instructions state that the bait is water proof or weather proof.
For ore information, please contact Health Services 9411 3444 or at [email protected]. You can also visit the Department of Health Website for more information on rodent control and view BirdLife Australia's website for information about bird-friendly rodent control.