Pest and Rodent Control 

Rats and Mice

Rats and mice prefer to live close to urban areas due to the readily available food and shelter created by human activity. They require only small amounts of food and water to survive and can therefore thrive in built environments.

In metropolitan areas, food and water are easily accessible through drainage systems, as well as fruit and nuts from vines and trees. As a result, sightings of rats and mice are not uncommon.

Rats and mice can cause a range of problems. They are capable of spreading disease, damaging fruit trees and garden crops, and, if they gain access to homes, contaminating food and utensils. They may also cause structural damage by chewing through conduits, insulation, and electrical wiring.

Signs of rodent activity

Look for the following signs of rats or mice:

  • Droppings that are oblong in shape and resemble small, dark pellets
  • Chewed or damaged food containers, boxes, or packaging in pantries and cupboards
  • Scratching, gnawing, or scurrying sounds coming from walls, ceilings, or floor cavities, particularly at night
  • Discoloured or greasy smear marks along floors, skirting boards, or beams
  • Pets behaving more restlessly or excitable than usual
  • Fruit and vegetables in the garden showing signs of being eaten or damaged

Preventing rat and mice problems

To help prevent rodents from entering your property and control their population, you can reduce the availability of food, water, and shelter by taking the following steps:

  • Remove garden waste and unused materials from sheds, yards, and storage areas
  • Remove fruit and nuts from vines and trees at the end of the season and regularly collect fallen fruit
  • Store bulk pet food and bird seed in sealed, airtight containers
  • Promptly remove excess pet food after feeding
  • Seal potential access points to roofs, walls, and building cavities
  • Avoid feeding birds or other wildlife, as this can attract rodents
  • Turn over unused containers to prevent the collection of rainwater

Use of Rat Baits (Rodenticides)

Rat baits should only be used as a last resort or in accordance with advice provided by a licensed pest control professional, as inappropriate use can result in secondary poisoning of pets and local wildlife.

A range of rodenticide products is available from hardware stores and supermarkets. However, residents are encouraged to select first‑generation anticoagulant rodenticides rather than second‑generation products due to their reduced risk to non‑target animals.

First‑generation anticoagulant rodenticides

First‑generation rodenticides are known as multi‑dose anticoagulants, meaning rodents must consume the bait over several feedings to receive a lethal dose.

Common active ingredients include:

  • Coumatetralyl,
  • Warfarin

Second‑generation anticoagulant rodenticides

Second‑generation rodenticides are referred to as single‑dose anticoagulants, as a lethal amount can be consumed in a single feeding. These products break down more slowly and persist longer in animal tissues, increasing the risk of secondary poisoning to pets and wildlife that may consume affected rodents.

Common active ingredients include:

  • Brodifacoum,
  • Bromadiolone,
  • Difenacoum,
  • Difethialone

Safe use and disposal

If you choose to use a rodenticide:

  • Always read and follow the instructions on the product label
  • Take all necessary precautions to avoid human or animal exposure
  • Keep rodenticides, whether in use or stored, out of reach of children and pets
  • Collect and dispose of poisoned rodents promptly to reduce the risk of secondary poisoning to pets and wildlife

If rodent activity persists or increases despite the use of alternative control methods and baiting, residents are strongly advised to contact a licensed pest control professional for further advice or treatment.

For further information on anticoagulant rodenticide, please visit Bromadiolone and the mouse plague | Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (apvma.gov.au)

City’s position statement

The City of Nedlands acknowledges there are risks associated with the use of second-generation rodent baits to non-target animals such as pets and local wildlife, where they could be harmed or killed by the residual poisons from poisoned rodents.

The City has ceased the dispensing of second-generation rodenticides and commenced dispensing first-generation rodenticides to its residents to reduce the associated risks.

The City encourages residents to cease using second-generation rodenticides and apply alternative methods to control rodents where appropriate such as:

  • Using first generation rodenticides with active chemical ingredients such as Warfarin, Coumatetralyl and Chlorophacinone,
  • Store firewood away from the sides of sheds and fences and keep it well clear (40 cm) off the ground,
  • Regularly remove or limit garden waste or other disused material in sheds or around your yard,
  • Remove fruit and nuts from trees or vines at the end of the season,
  • Block holes and other potential access points around all buildings.
  • Store bird seeds and chicken feed in airtight containers,
  • Keep pet food dishes clean and store bulk pet food supplies in containers and locations where rats cannot enter or chew through,
  • Ensure rubbish and compost bins have lids and are free from holes, and
  • Do not leave meat scraps in compost bins.

Residents are also encouraged to refer to the Department of Health’s website for further information - Protect your health – keep rats and mice under control (healthywa.wa.gov.au).

For general information on rodent control, please contact the City’s Environmental Health team on 9273 2500.

Mosquitos 

As well as being a nuisance, some species of mosquito carry viruses such as Ross River Virus and Barman Forest Virus. For simple preventative measures that you can take to protect yourself from mosquito bites and to help reduce mosquito numbers, please refer to the prevent mosquito bites information page on the Healthy WA website. 

European Wasps 

European wasps are a declared pest in Western Australia and must be eradicated when detected. The Department of Agriculture and Food provides a fact sheet to assist with European Wasps. If you believe you have seen a European wasp, please report the sighting via the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s MyPestGuide. For further information, refer to European wasp: declared pest | Agriculture and Food.

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