Rats & vermin control

How can you help rid Waverley of rats and vermin?

Waverley Council is working hard to reduce the number of rats in the area. Rats numbers increase when there is an abundance of food and places for them to live and breed You can help reduce rat numbers by doing the following:

  • Use bins and don’t allow rubbish to overflow
  • Ensure your bins have tight fitted lids with no holes or cracks
  • Make sure you place your recycling and rubbish out ONLY on your scheduled collection day
  • Vermin proof your premises by making sure there are no cracks, crevices, holes or other potential access points
  • Ensure access to cupboards containing food and food preparation materials are blocked
  • Make certain pet food is eaten soon after it is placed out and removed as soon as practicable
  • Ensure your home, shed and yard is free from overgrown vegetation and rubbish. Remember to trim vegetation away from roofs and external walls
  • Restrict access to water or water sources
  • Engage regular services of a professional pest controller

Why are they a problem?

Although they are little, rats and vermin can cause a lot of damage. They can:

  • Transmit diseases such as leptospirosis, typhus fever and rat bite fever
  • Contaminate food with their fur, droppings and urine - resulting in food poisoning
  • Carry harmful fleas or ticks
  • Generate unpleasant odours
  • Cause structural damage by gnawing and digging

Where do rats and vermin live?

  • In walls, ceilings and under floors
  • Under buildings
  • In overgrown vegetation
  • In accumulations of rubbish
  • In animal enclosures
  • Near hot water heaters
  • Behind cupboards, boxes, machinery and furniture
  • Garages
  • Gardens
  • Sheds

How do I know if there are rats and vermin on my property?

Check for the following signs to know if a rat is on your land:

  • Rat droppings (black, torpedo shaped between 10mm to 18mm in length)
  • Gnawed food
  • Damage to food containers, packaging, furniture,books, walls, wood, electrical cabling and floors
  • Runways (which are formed when rats use the same path)
  • Rub marks on walls and fences (rats leave a greasy rub mark from their fur)
  • Burrow holes (these are commonly located around buildings, sheds, under debris or overgrown vegetation)

What does Waverley Council do to assist?

Waverley Council regularly conducts inspections to monitor for the presence of vermin. Where hotspots are identified, professional pest controllers are engaged to conduct baiting. Preventative measures including the design of street furniture, public place cleansing and maintaining public parks and gardens also play a major role in reducing vermin.

Under NSW legislation, it is the responsibility of land owners and occupiers of premises to prevent rats from harbouring and breeding on their property. Council may however, investigate vermin infestations following complaints. If there is evidence of rats or conditions that are likely to attract vermin, Council may take further action to improve the situation.

For more information please contact the Customer Service Centre on 9083 8000.