Rats and mice can damage property, eat or contaminate food and cause health problems (including transmitting disease).
Our responsibility
Our Environmental Health team uses different methods to reduce rat and mice numbers in public areas without harming our native wildlife, including native rat species such as the giant white-tailed rat (Uromys caudimaculatus).
We also respond to public complaints of vermin..
Your responsibility
Residents and landlords should ensure their own buildings and garden vegetation do not attract or provide shelter for vermin, or encourage rats and mice to breed. It is an offence to harbour or breed vermin on your property.
What you can do
The most effective ways to reduce the number of rats or mice is to remove their food source and shelter.
If vermin persist, engage a licenced pest controller who can check your property and give solid advice.
More advice and steps you can take to get rid of vermin is in the Rats and Mice factsheet in Related Documents on the right.
If you believe the pests are coming from a neighbouring property, Council is able to approach the property owner or resident and provide advice. In serious cases, Council may issue an order to have the property treated for pests.
