Rats

Rats are almost always present throughout cities and suburban areas due to the opportunities for food and shelter. In established suburbs, food and water is readily available from sources such as fruit trees and pet food.  

Baiting and trapping are the most common ways of eliminating rats and mice, however preventing them from breeding by improving sanitation around our homes and businesses is much more effective.

Types of rats

The 2 main types of rats that we are likely to see in Australia: Rattus norvegicus  (Common rat) and the Rattus rattus (Roof rat).

These rat species generally eat different types of food and live in different types of habitats. It is important to understand which type of rat you have on your property to effectively manage the rat problem you are experiencing.

Rattus norvegicus

Rattus norvegicus (also known as Common rat, Sewer rat and Brown rat) eat a wide variety of foods but mostly prefer cereal grains, meats, fish, nuts and some fruits or pet food.

They are burrowers, building their nests outside the walls of homes or in clumps of vegetation beneath rubbish or woodpiles. Nests can be lined with shredded paper, cloth or other fibrous material. When invading buildings, they usually remain in the basement or ground floor.

Trapping and baiting

Secure traps and baits close to walls, behind objects, in dark corners and in places where signs such as droppings have been seen.

Rattus rattus

Commonly known and Roof rats, Black Rats, Ship Rats, Rattus rattus prefers fruit, nuts, berries, avocados, slugs and snails. They often eat fruit that is still on the tree.

This species prefers living in trees as well as elevated areas of homes, such as attics, eaves and rafters. They often can be seen at night running along fences. They move faster than Rattus Norvegicus and are very agile climbers.

Trapping and baiting

Place baits and traps off the ground in locations where rats might be coming down from their nests to find food, such as on ledges, shelves, branches, fences, pipes or overhead beams, and must be fastened with screws or wire.

Management

Preventing rats from breeding is the most effective way to control rats.

Areas around the home and business must be clean and maintained otherwise rats will continue to breed and return, regardless of baiting or trapping.

Here are some ways to prevent breeding:

• Ensure pipes, wood, boxes, gardening equipment and other household goods are stored neatly and off the ground to reduce places for rats to hide or nest.
• Dispose of garbage, food scraps, garden waste and fallen fruit promptly and ensure all garbage bins have tight fitting lids.
• Vegetation on fences or buildings should be thinned or removed if possible and overhanging tree limbs should be kept within one metre of the roof.
• Store pet food in rat proof containers.

Baiting

Baiting involves laying poison baits along rodent paths and in roof and wall cavities.

When baiting, it is very important to ensure the bait isn’t accessible to children or pets.

Some rodent baits have the potential to cause secondary poisoning.
Secondary poisoning is where other animals, such as native birds, wildlife or pets, are poisoned from eating a poisoned rat or mouse.

This is why you must ensure that rat and mice carcasses are picked up, wrapped and disposed of immediately to prevent them being eaten.

Find out more about native bird-friendly rodent control options on the Birdlife website.

Documents

Rats information sheet