Rats and mice are usually found where people live. Rodents are usually a communal problem, nesting on one property and travel through other properties to get food or water. Working with your neighbours is the best way to resolve rodent issues.
How to deter or remove rodents
Prevent pests by inspecting the outside of your home:
- Pest proof your home by sealing gaps and holes under eaves, roof tiles and in external walls — mice can squeeze through the smallest of gaps.
- Keep trees and vines away from your house.
- Store firewood away from the sides of sheds and fences, and keep it off the ground.
Reduce food supply:
- Don't provide a source of food/water inside or outside your home.
- Don't compost meat scraps or large amounts of food.
- Ensure there is no leftover food/seed when feeding animals/birds.
- Remove fruit and nuts from trees or vines at the end of the season.
Reduce pest movement:
- Keeping your garden well maintained and the grass mowed to reduce places for rodents to pass through or live on your property.
- Trim back tree branches over hanging the fence line.
Pest control:
- Baiting is the most effective way of dealing with rats and mice.
- Being creatures of habit, rats and mice travel the same routes to food sources, which can assist you in knowing where to remove any food and where to put baits or traps.
- Use chemical baits in your roof, but avoid using baits in open areas or under the house where pets or native animals can find them.
If you need further assistance to remove rodent from your property, we recommend you contact a licensed pest controller.
Whose responsibility?
If you are having problems with rodents, then the following applies:
- On your own land: You can either treat the problem yourself, or engage the services of a professional pest control company.
- On your neighbour's land: If you notice rodents coming from a neighbouring property, and there are places for rodents to live on the property (for example, piled rubbish or overgrown grass), we recommend you first speak to the owner of the property and direct them to this page for information.
This is usually the most effective way to resolve the situation. The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria has some good advice on how to approach your neighbour.
If the property owner doesn't take any measures to reduce/treat the problem, you can contact Council's Community Health Services on 1300 88 22 33.
- On Council's land: If the rodents are on Council land, contact Council's Community Health Services on 1300 88 22 33. Please note Council does not bait park lands or drains due the risk of harming Australian Native Animals.
Further information
For more information on rodents VicHealth.