Rat & mouse control in Sydney

Scratching and scurrying in the ceiling at night is usually the first sign. Rats and mice chew through wiring, insulation, pipes and food packaging, and they breed quickly, so a couple of visitors can turn into a colony if they're left alone.

Which rodent have you got?

• Roof (black) rats. Slim, agile climbers with long tails. They run along fences, power lines and overhanging branches into roof voids. These are the "thumping in the ceiling" rats in most Sydney suburbs.
• Brown (Norway) rats. Heavier, burrowing rats that live around drains, sheds, compost and under slabs.
• House mice. Small, can squeeze through gaps about the width of a pencil, and often turn up in pantries, wall cavities and garages.

Signs of rats and mice

• Droppings in the roof, pantry, under the sink or behind appliances.
• Gnawed food packaging, wiring, irrigation pipes or fruit on the tree.
• Greasy rub marks along walls, beams and entry holes.
• Scratching, squeaking or running sounds at night.
• Dogs or cats staring at, or pawing at, one spot on a wall.

Heavier thumping and larger droppings in the roof can also be a possum. Possums are protected and need a completely different approach, so it's worth getting it identified. See our possum removal page.

Why it matters

Chewed electrical cables are a fire risk, and rodents contaminate food and surfaces. NSW Health notes that rats and mice can carry infections such as leptospirosis, which spreads through contact with their urine, usually via cuts or contaminated water and soil.

What rodent control usually involves

1. Inspection to find entry points, runways, nesting areas and food sources.
2. Control using lockable, tamper-resistant bait stations and/or traps placed out of reach of children and pets.
3. Proofing: sealing gaps around pipes, roof lines, vents and doors so new rodents can't get in.
4. Follow-up to check stations, remove any carcasses and confirm activity has stopped.

If you have pets, or owls and other wildlife visit your yard, ask the technician about the products they use and options that reduce the risk of secondary poisoning.

When rodents are worst in Sydney

Rodents are around all year, but many people notice them more as the weather cools in autumn and winter, when rats and mice look for warm shelter indoors. Heavy rain and flooding can also push them out of drains and creek banks.

What you can do today

• Store pet food, bird seed and pantry goods in sealed containers.
• Pick up fallen fruit and manage compost so it's rodent-proof.
• Trim branches and vines back from the roof line.
• Keep sheds and garages tidy, with stored items off the floor.
• Wear gloves when cleaning up droppings, and dampen them with disinfectant first instead of sweeping dry.

Frequently asked questions