From 24 March 2026, new national rules introduced by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) change how certain rodent bait products can be supplied and used in Australia. These changes relate to a group of products commonly used by professional pest managers to control rats and mice. Because there has already been confusion online about what this means, we’ve created this page to clearly explain the changes and how they may affect rodent control services.
Quick summary
- Rodent bait has not been banned in Australia.
- Professional pest managers can still use certain rodent baits under new national permit conditions.
- The new rules start on 24 March 2026.
- One of the biggest changes is the 35 day review rule.
- This will affect some quarterly and six-monthly rodent services.
- In many cases, once rodent activity is under control, bait may be removed and stations may become monitoring stations.
- DIY retail rodent bait products will also face tighter restrictions.
What has actually changed?
The APVMA has suspended current registrations for SGAR products and put in place a deemed permit that sets the legal conditions for how those products can be supplied and used from 24 March 2026. This is an interim arrangement while the broader regulatory review continues. According to the industry update you received, the SGAR active ingredients affected are:
- Brodifacoum
- Bromadiolone
- Difenacoum
- Difethialone
- Flocoumafen
The APVMA’s stated concern is the risk these products can pose to non-target wildlife through secondary poisoning.
What this means for homes and businesses in the Limestone Coast
These regulatory changes apply across Australia, including South Australia and Victoria.
For customers in Mount Gambier, the Limestone Coast and the Green Triangle region, the most noticeable change will be how rodent bait stations are managed over time.
Rather than leaving bait in stations indefinitely, pest managers will increasingly focus on:
- inspection and monitoring
- confirming whether rodent activity is still present
- removing bait once infestations are under control
- reintroducing bait only if activity returns
This approach reduces unnecessary pesticide use while still ensuring rodent problems can be managed effectively.
Why did these changes happen so suddenly?
Although the regulatory review of anticoagulant rodenticides has been underway for several years, the timing of the interim permit announced in the APVMA Gazette on 10 March 2026 came as a surprise to many pest management professionals. The permit introduces new conditions from 24 March 2026 while consultation on the broader regulatory review is still ongoing.
Because this decision was announced while consultation on the broader review is still open, many in the pest management industry have described the change as sudden. The permit conditions are intended to manage environmental risks in the short term while the longer-term regulatory framework is still being developed.
The Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association (AEPMA) is currently liaising with the APVMA as this process continues. Spiderman SE Eco Pest Management is proud to be an AEPMA member and to stay actively engaged with industry discussions so we can keep our customers informed and ensure our services remain safe, compliant and effective.
Are rat and mouse baits banned?
No.
Rodent control products are not banned in Australia, and professional pest control services remain available.
What has changed is that some products now sit under stricter interim permit conditions. These rules affect how products are supplied, where bait can be placed, how long baiting can continue without review, and how pest managers must monitor and manage infestations.
Why are these changes happening?
The regulator is trying to reduce the risk of wildlife being harmed when poisoned rodents are eaten by predators or scavengers. In plain English, the concern is not only the bait itself, but what can happen further up the food chain.
That means the focus is now on:
- more controlled bait placement
- safer station use
- stronger monitoring
- better review of whether bait is still needed
- reducing unnecessary long-term poison exposure
For a business like Spiderman SE, this actually aligns well with an environmentally responsible pest management approach.
The 35 day rule explained
One of the biggest changes for customers
Under the new permit conditions, certain rodent baits must not be used continuously for more than 35 days without evaluating the infestation and treatment effectiveness.
This is the biggest operational change most customers are likely to notice.
In the past, some rodent programs across the industry involved bait being left in stations and serviced on quarterly or six-monthly cycles. Under the new rules, that approach may no longer be appropriate in many cases.
The key idea is that bait cannot simply be left there indefinitely without checking:
- whether rodents are still active
- whether baiting is still needed
- whether the treatment is working
This shifts the industry further toward monitoring, review and targeted intervention, rather than long-term continuous baiting.
What this means for existing quarterly and six-monthly customers
If you currently have a quarterly or six-monthly rodent service, your service arrangement may need to change.
Depending on the property, infestation history and level of risk, this may mean one of the following approaches:
Option 1 - Monthly monitoring may be required
Where rodent activity is ongoing, or where the site risk is higher, monitoring may need to happen more frequently so the infestation can be properly reviewed within the required timeframe.
Option 2 - Bait may be removed once the rodent problem is under control
Once the infestation has settled down, the bait inside the station may be removed.
The station can then remain in place as a monitoring point rather than an active bait point.
Option 3 - Bait can be reintroduced if activity ramps up again
If monitoring shows fresh rodent activity, bait can then be reintroduced as part of a targeted treatment response.
This means some customers will move away from the old idea of always having bait sitting in stations just in case. Instead, there will be a clearer split between:
- active treatment
- monitoring
- response if activity returns
That is safer, more compliant, and more consistent with modern integrated pest management.
What happens to your bait stations?
Bait stations are not disappearing.
Bait stations will still play an important role in rodent management, but the way they are used may change.
For many residential customers, the practical model will look like this:
- We treat the active rodent problem.
- Once the problem is under control, we remove the bait from the station.
- The station stays in place as a monitoring station where appropriate.
- If rodent activity increases again, you contact us and we reassess.
- If needed, bait is reintroduced as part of a targeted treatment.
This lets us keep a close eye on rodent activity without leaving poison in place unnecessarily.
What else has changed for pest managers?
Under the new permit conditions, pest managers must also follow stricter rules around how bait is placed and managed.
These include:
- outdoor bait stations must not be placed more than 2 metres from buildings
- outdoor stations must be tamper resistant, weather resistant and secured in place
- Mouse stations must not be used outdoors.
- bait must not be used where pets, children or non-target animals could access it unless properly secured
- bait must not be placed directly into burrows
- dead rodents should be searched for and removed during visits to reduce wildlife exposure
- disposable gloves must be worn when handling bait, stations and rodent carcasses
For customers, this means professional rodent control is becoming more controlled, more deliberate and more environmentally accountable.
What about DIY rat bait products from shops?
The new rules also affect some consumer rodent bait products sold in retail settings.
The customer-facing takeaway is simple:
- some retail products will have smaller pack sizes
- outdoor use restrictions will become tighter
- these changes are aimed at reducing risks where products are used by untrained users
Professional pest control products used by licensed technicians are treated differently from retail DIY products during this interim period.
Why this change actually fits the way we work
At Spiderman SE Eco Pest Management, we have always believed rodent control should be:
- targeted
- practical
- reviewed properly
- mindful of pets, people and wildlife
- based on the actual level of activity at the property
We have been proud AEPMA members since the beginning, and we stay closely across industry updates so we can keep our services compliant, effective and responsible.
A lot of what is now being emphasised nationally already fits how we believe pest management should be done:
- inspect first
- treat what is there
- monitor what happens next
- avoid unnecessary pesticide use
- respond quickly if activity returns
Our Technicians Are Trained for Complex and Sensitive Environments
All technicians at Spiderman SE Eco Pest Management are trained beyond the minimum requirements needed to obtain a pest management licence.
Every member of our technical team has completed the Complex and Sensitive Sites training modules within the national pest management qualification framework. These units cover pest management in environments where safety, compliance and careful planning are critical, including locations such as:
- food premises
- hospitals and healthcare settings
- schools and childcare facilities
- commercial kitchens
- sensitive public environments
Many pest technicians only complete the minimum training required for licensing. At Spiderman SE we have chosen to train our team to a higher standard so they understand how to manage pest risks responsibly in environments where people, food safety and environmental protection matter.
This additional training supports the way we approach rodent management under the new regulatory changes. It ensures our technicians understand how to:
- assess pest risks properly
- apply rodent control measures responsibly
- protect non-target animals and wildlife
- follow regulatory requirements and industry best practice
- document and review pest activity effectively
It is part of our commitment to delivering professional, responsible and environmentally aware pest management for homes and businesses across the Limestone Coast and Green Triangle regions.
Rodent bait changes myth busting
Myth: Rat and mouse bait has been banned
No. Professional rodent control is still available.
Myth: Pest controllers can no longer help with rats and mice
Not true. Licensed professionals can still use the relevant products under the new permit conditions.
Myth: All bait stations must be removed
No. Stations may remain in place, but in many cases they may be used as monitoring stations once bait is no longer needed.
Myth: Rodent control will stop working
No. The changes do not remove the ability to control rodents. They place more emphasis on inspection, review and targeted use.
Myth: Every customer will need monthly services forever
Not necessarily. Some customers may need more frequent monitoring during active infestations. Others may move to a monitor-and-call-back approach once activity is under control.
FAQs
No. Rat bait has not been banned. Licensed pest management professionals can still use certain rodent baits under the new national permit conditions.
The interim changes start on 24 March 2026.
The APVMA is trying to reduce the risk of secondary poisoning to wildlife, especially where predators or scavengers eat poisoned rodents.
Yes. Professional rodent control remains available. The main difference is that there will be tighter rules around how bait is used, monitored and reviewed.
It means certain rodent baits cannot be used continuously for more than 35 days without evaluating the infestation and whether the treatment is still needed and working.
Not necessarily, but it may need to be adjusted. In some cases, quarterly arrangements may shift to monitoring-based services or involve reassessment if bait use needs to continue.
It may. If bait is being used, the new rules may mean it cannot simply remain in place between long service intervals. Depending on the situation, bait may be removed once the problem is under control and the stations may remain as monitors.
No. The stations themselves are yours. What may change is whether they contain active bait all the time, or whether they are used as monitoring stations until rodent activity returns.
A monitoring station is a bait station or similar device used to detect rodent activity without leaving poison in place unnecessarily. It helps us identify whether rodents are active and whether treatment needs to restart.
For many residential customers, the bait may be removed from the station once activity settles down. The station may then remain in place for monitoring, and if rodent activity ramps up again we can reassess and treat as needed.
Some properties may need more frequent monitoring while an infestation is active. Others may not. It depends on the level of activity, the property type and the risk profile.
Yes, but under stricter conditions. Outdoor stations must be secured, weather resistant, tamper resistant and placed close to buildings.
No. Under the new permit conditions, bait must not be placed directly into burrows.
Retail products are also affected by the new rules. They are likely to face smaller pack sizes and tighter restrictions, particularly for outdoor use.
Yes. The changes affect certain rodenticide products used for both rats and mice.
Yes, especially sites that have relied on long-interval bait servicing. Many commercial sites may move further toward documented monitoring and targeted treatment models.
Under the new national permit conditions, certain rodent baits cannot be used continuously for more than 35 days without reassessing the infestation.
Once a rodent problem has been brought under control, the bait inside a station may be removed and replaced with a monitoring block or left empty so technicians can check for signs of rodent activity.
If rodents become active again, bait can then be reintroduced as part of a targeted treatment program.
Yes. We are AEPMA members and we stay up to date with regulatory changes that affect how pest management services are delivered.
Contact our team and we can explain how these changes apply to your property and what, if anything, needs to change.
Yes. All Spiderman SE Eco Pest Management technicians are fully licensed pest management professionals and meet all regulatory requirements for pest control work.
In addition to the licensing requirements, our technicians complete further training to ensure they can safely manage pests in a wide range of environments, from residential homes to commercial and food premises.
We believe professional pest management should go beyond the minimum requirements and focus on responsible, well-informed decision-making on every site.
Complex and Sensitive Sites training is part of the national pest management qualification framework and covers pest management in environments where safety, compliance and documentation are critical.
These environments include food premises, healthcare settings, schools, and other locations where pest management must be carefully planned and managed.
All Spiderman SE technicians have completed these training modules, not just the minimum units required to obtain a licence. This ensures our team understands how to assess risk properly, follow strict safety procedures and manage pests responsibly in environments where people, food safety and environmental protection are priorities.
Useful Links
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)
National regulator responsible for pesticides and veterinary medicines in Australia. - APVMA Gazette – 10 March 2026 Notice on Rodenticide Changes
Official notice announcing the suspension of certain rodenticide registrations and the introduction of the deemed permit conditions. - Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association (AEPMA)
National industry association representing professional pest management businesses across Australia.
Staying informed
Spiderman SE Eco Pest Management stays closely across regulatory changes affecting pest management in Australia. As long-standing members of the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association (AEPMA), we remain actively engaged with industry discussions and updates so we can continue providing safe, compliant and responsible pest management services for our community.
Questions about your rodent service?
If you are an existing customer and want to understand how the new rodent bait rules may affect your property, get in touch with our team.
We can explain whether your current setup still suits the new rules, whether monitoring is the better option, and what the next steps look like for your home or business.