Controlling rodents

Given the healthy wildlife environment that surrounds Shoreham, this does include pests, particularly rodents. This information we hope will help you rethink how you are controlling rodents on your property.

Be aware there is also an Australian indigenous critter that lives in Shoreham and loves making tunnels. It is the swamp antichinus and is protected. It has a rounded small nose and a short tail. Unfortunately many folks are not aware of this.

Leaving out poison can not only kill a rat but any other animal or bird in the food chain that has unwittingly eaten the prey that swallowed the bait.

A powerful owl was poisoned by catching a swamp rat that had ingested left out bait.

Even dogs have been vulnerable to bait.

The prodominant poison that people use is ratsak.  A definite NO.

Please read the labels on any poisons you buy. They need to be first generation anticoagulant rodenticides (FGARS) or other alternatives.

·      Look for active ingredients as warfarin or sodium chloride.

·      Only put out baits when you actually need to use them or preferably consult a pest controller.

Make your house and garden less friendly for rodents.

·      Seal roof/wall cavity access points

·      Pick up any fallen fruit

·      Ensure pet food isn’t accessible

·      Rodent proof chook pens and aviaries using rodent excluding feeder and fencing

·      Replace rat friendly palm trees with owl friendly trees.

·      Tidy up garden waste and limit access to compost and brush piles.

·      Keep your compost heap moist and turn it over often so that it breaks down faster. Big chunks are attractive to rats.

Encourage native predators

·      Plant habitat trees

·      Use logs, rocks and ponds in your garden to encourage frogs, lizards and other prey.