Rat Removal Melbourne|Rats Out, Burrows and Gaps Closed
Rats in the yard, shed or house? We find where they live, treat them with locked bait stations and seal the way in. Call 0435 072 221 for a free quote.
- Burrows and runways mapped
- Locked bait stations and traps
- Entry points sealed
- Follow up check included
Rat removal that deals with the cause, not just the rats you see
Most calls for rat removal in Melbourne start with one sighting: a rat running along the fence at dusk, a hole under the shed, or droppings in the garage. By the time you see one, there are usually more.
Melbourne has two rats that cause trouble around homes. The brown rat (also called the Norway rat) is heavy, digs burrows under paths, sheds, compost bins and decking, and lives at ground level. The black rat (also called the roof rat) is a slimmer climber that travels along fences, vines and power lines and nests up high.
Good rat control starts by working out which one you have, because they live in different places and are treated in different places. A brown rat colony is dealt with at its burrows and runways in the garden and sub floor. A black rat problem is usually solved in the roof and along the routes it climbs.
We place locked, tamper resistant bait stations and traps where the rats actually travel, close off burrows and gaps, and tell you exactly what around the yard is feeding them. Bait alone removes the rats that are there today. Removing food, shelter and the way in is what stops the next ones moving into the same spot.
- Species identified before treatment
- Stations fixed in place, away from children and pets
- Written price before work starts
Signs you need a rat exterminator
These signs point to rats rather than mice, possums or birds, and tell us where to start looking.
Burrows in the garden
Holes about 6 to 9 cm wide under paths, sheds, slabs and compost bins, often with smooth worn edges.
Runways along fences
Narrow tracks worn into grass or soil, and greasy rub marks on fence rails and pipes.
Large droppings
Capsule shaped droppings about 1 to 2 cm long, much bigger than mouse droppings.
Chewed fruit and hoses
Half eaten citrus on the tree, gnawed irrigation lines, bins and timber.
Movement at dusk
Rats running along the fence top or across the yard as it gets dark.
Pet food going missing
Bowls left outside overnight emptied, and droppings near the pet food.
Want it sorted this week?
Call now and we will talk you through it, or get a written price in about a minute.
How our rat control works
Five steps, so the rats you have are dealt with and the next ones have nowhere to live.
- 1
Survey the property
Burrows, runways, food sources and entry points are found and marked.
- 2
Place stations
Locked bait stations and traps set along the routes rats use.
- 3
Close the way in
Gaps into the house, sub floor and shed sealed with mesh and mortar.
- 4
Follow up
We check the stations, record activity and top up where needed.
- 5
Report and advice
Photos of sealed points and a plain list of what to change in the yard.
What attracts rats to a Melbourne backyard
Rats need three things: food, water and shelter. Most suburban yards supply all three without anyone noticing. Fallen fruit from citrus and stone fruit trees, bird seed, chicken feed, dog food left out at night and open compost are the most common food sources we find.
Shelter is usually a woodpile against the fence, a shed sitting on the ground, dense ivy or creepers, or rubbish stored under the house. Brown rats burrow under these, and black rats use the creepers and trees as ladders onto the roof.
Pest control for rats works far better when the yard stops feeding them. We give you a short, practical list for your property, such as lifting the woodpile off the ground, picking up fallen fruit, moving the compost to a sealed bin and cutting back vines from the roofline.
If you keep chickens, we place stations where the birds cannot reach them and talk you through securing the feed, because a chicken run is one of the strongest rat magnets in any suburb.
Quick yard checklist
- Pick up fallen fruit
- Feed pets indoors at night
- Store chicken feed in a metal bin
- Lift woodpiles off the ground
- Trim vines back from the roof
Rat removal cost in Melbourne
Starting prices for a standard single storey Melbourne home. Your exact price is confirmed in writing before any work starts.
Rat treatment
from$199Yard, sub floor and roof checked
- Full property survey
- Locked bait stations and traps
- Burrows treated
- Yard advice
Treatment and sealing
from$349Rats out and the main gaps closed
- Everything in treatment
- Main entry points sealed
- Follow up check
- Photo report
- 6 month written warranty
Full rodent proofing
from$549Every entry point closed
- Roof, walls and sub floor
- Pipes, vents and weep holes
- Photo record per point
- 6 month written warranty
All prices include GST. Two storey homes, large blocks and properties with heavy activity are quoted in writing after we see them.
Rat Removal Melbourne questions
Talk to us directly. We will tell you honestly what the job needs and roughly what it costs.
Call 0435 072 221How much does rat removal cost in Melbourne?
Rat treatment starts from $199 and treatment with the main entry points sealed starts from $349, both including GST. You get the price in writing before we start.
How long does rat control take to work?
Activity usually drops within one to two weeks. Larger colonies or properties with a lot of food available can take longer, which is why a follow up check is part of the job.
Is a rat catcher the same as a rat exterminator?
People use both words for the same service. What matters is that the rats are treated where they live and the gaps they use are sealed, otherwise new rats move straight in.
Can rats get into the house from the garden?
Yes. Brown rats get under the house through broken vents and gaps around pipes, and black rats climb onto the roof from fences, trees and vines.
Should I block the burrow myself?
Not before treatment. Filling a burrow that is still in use just makes the rats dig another one nearby. We treat it first, then close it once it is inactive.
Are rats in the yard a health risk?
Rats can carry diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonella, and they contaminate food and surfaces with urine and droppings. Wear gloves when cleaning up droppings and wash your hands afterwards.
Do you offer rat control Melbourne wide?
Yes. We cover the whole metropolitan area, from the inner city to the outer suburbs. Tell us your suburb when you call and we will give you the next available time.
Will rat stations be safe around my dog?
We use locked, tamper resistant stations, fix them in place and put them where pets cannot reach them. We show you every station before we leave.
Ready to get rid of the rodents?
Treatment, gaps sealed and a 6 month written warranty on sealed points.