RODENTS

There are three species of introduced rodents in Australia. They are the Norway or brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), the roof or black rat (Rattus rattus), and the house or field mouse (Mus musculus). There reputation as a pest is legendary because of their ability to contaminate and spoil food, spread disease, and cause physical damage combined with the prolific rate at which they reproduce. In fact rats contributed to the deaths of over 25 million people in Europe by being the carrier of the bubonic plague (Black Death). Rodents are incontinent which means they basically dribble urine where ever they go, including your kitchen bench. Because rats and mice front teeth continually grow they must continually gnaw or chew to keep them to a functional size. Electrical wiring has been damaged in this way, resulting in house fires.

We often have phone calls from people believing they have possums in the roof which turn out to be rats. This is due to two reasons firstly most people don’t want to acknowledge the idea that they have rats in their roof because to most rats are a sign of dirtiness but the fact is rats aren’t that discriminate! The second reason is the noise to most is way too loud to be a little rat, but roof cavities tend to amplify any noises especially non-insulated ones. I often describe to clients that mice sound like their wearing sneakers, rats sound like their wearing footy boots and possums sound like their wearing gumboots!

People often spot a rat in their garden and believe it’s a native rat, the fact is native rats avoid human habitation and the culprit is more than likely a roof rat (Rattus rattus) which is physically different (see species notes) from the typical brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) that most people are familiar with. Rats and mice are highly adaptive meaning they occur in all types of environments from the very busy area of Hastings St, the classy homes of Noosa Waters, to the highly vegetated areas of Doonan.

By far the most effective method of control is baiting. The key to baiting is to be proactive rather than reactive. Most people wait until they have a problem, then wait until they go to the shop next, and then wait until the husband can be motivated enough to drag the ladder out of the garage and get up in the roof and so forth. By this time the problem has gotten bigger and the truth is you tend not to hear or see rodents when there is only one or two, you tend only to hear them when once they’ve bred and the dominant male is trying to drive the younger males out of his territory. And you tend only to see the younger more inexperienced rodents rather than the older, wiser and shyer individuals. So basically waiting until you hear or see rodents means you end up using more bait and increase the risk of one dying in your roof. Having bait waiting in your roof for those individual rodents when they first enter your roof will prevent them from setting up camp and raising a few families. Then simply mark on your calendar to inspect and/or replace the bait every 3-6 months depending on the rodent pressure. Avoid using rodenticides (rat bait) which contains the active ingredient warfarin, although a very effective rodenticide it is known as a multi-dose rodenticide which means that if you don’t put enough out some rodents will recover and this bait tends to have a very high incidence of mortality in your roof. If baiting I cannot stress enough the importance of not placing baits where non-targets such as children and pets can access it. Use tamper resistant bait stations whenever in doubt.

Some people don’t like to bait for several reasons, but the fact is rodents won’t go away on their own, in fact the longer the problem goes on, the harder the problem is too control. Rats especially, establish pathways around your property leading into your house, which can lead other rats passing through straight into your house. The bigger and longer the problem goes on the more bodies will die in your roof even without baiting.

You can however take some measures that can make your house less rodent friendly. Pruning back any trees or shrubs that are in contact with your roof line can reduce their accessibility to your roof. Proofing possible entry points can reduce access into your house. Remember the rule “mice can fit through a space as small as your little finger and rats can fit through a space as small as your thumb”. Service pipes to facilities such as your dishwasher are common entry points. Be sure to use durable materials, expandable foam is not one, but steel wool is and can be handy if packed tightly. Don’t forget your door seals especially the one into your garage (roller doors are not very rodent proof ). Bird aviaries and chook sheds are magnets for rodents, so try making them rodent proof, build them away from your house and use bait in tamper resistant bait stations around them. Don’t leave any uneaten dog or cat food out overnight.

Traps are not very effective, they tend to only catch young and gullible rodents not the older wiser ones. Independent studies have shown ultra sonic devices to have limited affect despite their claims.

If you are unsure as to whether you have possums or rats in your roof, place an apple inside the manhole entry to your roof and check the next day. If the apple is virtually gone then it’s probably a possum, if the apple is only partially eaten and lots of teeth marks evident then it’s probably rats. You don’t want to accidently bait a possum so if you are unsure its probably best to contact your pest manager.

What This Means for Your Property

Where second-generation rodenticides are used:

• Bait stations must now be inspected at intervals not exceeding 35 days
• Traditional servicing schedules such as quarterly or reactive programs are no longer suitable during active infestations
• Increased accountability and structured management is now required

Our Practical, Two-Stage Approach

We implement a flexible, staged rodent management strategy designed to balance compliance, cost, and efficiency across residential homes, strata complexes, and commercial properties.

Stage 1 – Active Control (When Activity Is Present)

When rodent activity is identified in your property or reported by occupants:

• Targeted baiting using high-performance rodenticides
• Servicing every 4 weeks (in line with legislation)
• Monitoring and documenting activity levels

Outcome:

✔ Rapid reduction in rodent activity
✔ Full compliance with current regulations
✔ Fewer complaints and reactive call-outs

Stage 2 – Maintenance & Prevention (Stabilised Sites)

Once activity is reduced to acceptable levels:

• Removal of higher-toxicity rodenticides
• Transition to lower-toxicity, maintenance-based solutions
• Adjustment of service frequency based on site risk and history

This may include:

• Bi-monthly or quarterly servicing for stable sites
• Ongoing monitoring of high-risk areas such as bin rooms, carparks, and building perimeters

We also provide recommendations on:

• Waste management and bin hygiene
• Proofing entry points (gaps, doors, service penetrations)
• Reducing conducive conditions that attract rodents

Outcome:

✔ Long-term control without unnecessary servicing costs
✔ Safer environment for residents, guests, and pets
✔ Reduced likelihood of recurring infestations

What to Expect Moving Forward

• Properties with active rodent issues will require temporary monthly servicing
• Once under control, services will transition to a tailored maintenance schedule
• Sites currently on quarterly or reactive programs may require short-term increases in service frequency

Our Commitment

We understand the pressures of managing properties, budgets, and occupant expectations.

Our role is to provide:

• Practical, compliant solutions
• Clear communication and reporting
• Reliable service that reduces issues—not just responds to them

In Simple Terms

We increase service frequency during active infestations to gain control quickly, then transition to a lower-maintenance schedule once the site is stable.

Why This Matters

• Compliance is now a legal requirement—not a choice
• Outdated pest control practices may no longer meet regulatory standards
• Effective rodent management now requires a structured, compliant approach

Laguna Pest Control – Leading the Change

• We follow the legislation—no shortcuts
• We prioritise safety for people, pets, and the environment
• We’ve already adapted our systems to meet the new standard

New rodent laws are here—make sure your pest company is too.
Compliance isn’t optional—it’s the standard.