Preventing Rodents

There are ways to deter rodents or bait them safely and effectively.

Providing baits to residents is a practice that is not commonplace in the Shire and it is the responsibility of owners and occupiers of premises to prevent rodents from living and breeding on their property. Rodents are well adapted to living in human environments.

To reduce their numbers on your property you can:

• Remove accumulations of disused materials and junk including building materials, woodpiles and old furniture etc.
• Prune and remove overgrown vegetation
• Remove fallen fruits and nuts from trees and rotting vegetables from vegetable gardens to reduce food sources for rats (this also assists with fly prevention)
• Ensure compost heaps/bins are covered and protected from rodent access
• Keep pet food dishes clean and only feed pets (including birds) enough food for the day
• Store pet food, poultry and bird feed in sealed air tight containers
• Clean out chicken pens and aviaries on a regular basis
• Set traps in areas of suspected harbourage
• Block any potential access points/holes around your home, such as around air conditioning services or electrical conduit entries into the roof cavity (please ensure that you do not seal up 'weep-holes' or other ventilation bricks required to remove moisture from your home cavities).
• Older properties in the Shire may have open eaves; chicken wire is a common method of preventing entry by rodents and other pests.

Alternatively, a licensed pest control operator may assist by completing a pest control treatment.

Further information is available on the Department of Health’s website below; https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/N_R/Protect-your-health-keep-rats-under-control