Rat and Mouse Control

Rodent Management, Not Just Bait Placement

Rats and mice can damage property, contaminate food, chew through wiring, create safety concerns, and become a significant issue if left unchecked.

At Spiderman SE Eco Pest Management, we provide professional rodent management using safe, controlled baiting systems and tailored programs designed for your property.

Our approach is not about placing bait and walking away. It is a structured management program based on inspections, installations, follow-up reviews, and strategic adjustments.

Understanding Rodent Management

While rodent products are widely available, effective control is not just about placing bait. A structured approach is needed to assess the situation, apply the right management strategy, and then review and adjust as needed.

The first step is understanding what is happening at your property.

Our technicians assess:

• Where rodent activity has been seen or heard
• Whether mice, rats or both may be present
• Where rodents may be entering the building
• What food, water or shelter may be attracting them
• Where bait stations can be placed safely and effectively
• Whether pets, livestock, children, food areas or wildlife risks need to be considered

Every property is different. Some rodent issues settle quickly, while others require ongoing monitoring and follow-up.

Effective rodent management focuses on controlling the problem safely and efficiently, and reducing the likelihood of it returning.

How Our Rat and Mouse Management Programs Work

Our rodent management programs follow a structured approach to assess, install, review and adjust activity, ensuring the safest and most effective outcome for your property.

1. Inspection and Assessment

We inspect relevant areas of the property, which may include the external perimeter, sheds, garages, kitchens, cupboards, roof voids, subfloors and other activity areas where safe and accessible.

We look for signs such as droppings, gnawing, urine staining, nesting material, entry points, food sources and likely movement paths.

2. Installation and Management

We install secure, tamper-resistant bait stations in key locations. These are positioned based on rodent behaviour, activity signs, safety and access for future checks.

Bait is placed inside locked stations. The bait type depends on the situation, level of activity, site risk and current product requirements.

3. Follow-Up Review

Follow-up is an important part of rodent management. We plan a review of stations around four weeks after installation.

At the review visit, we check whether:

• Bait has been consumed
• Fresh activity is present
• Changes to the program are needed
• Further preventative maintenance is required

4. Strategic Adjustment

Based on what we find, your program may be adjusted.

Where second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, known as SGARs, are used, regular monitoring is required, typically monthly, to meet current guidelines and ensure safe, effective use.

Monitoring may continue while activity is present or for higher-risk sites. Bait may be removed once activity reduces, with stations left in place for monitoring. Bait can be reintroduced if activity returns. In some cases, a first-generation bait may be used where ongoing frequent visits are not preferred.

Not every property requires ongoing frequent visits. We will guide you based on what we find.

Why Follow-Up Reviews Matter

Rodent management is not a set-and-forget service.

New national rules introduced from 24 March 2026 changed how certain second-generation rodent baits can be supplied and used in Australia. One of the biggest operational changes is the 35-day review rule. Certain rodent baits must not be used continuously for more than 35 days without evaluating the infestation and whether the program is still needed and working.

This means bait cannot simply be left in stations indefinitely.

Instead, rodent management now places greater emphasis on:

• Inspection and monitoring
• Confirming whether rodent activity is still present
• Removing bait once activity is under control
• Using stations as monitoring points where appropriate
• Reintroducing bait only if activity returns

This approach reduces unnecessary poison use while still allowing rodent issues to be managed effectively.

Why Professional Rodent Management Matters

DIY bait can sometimes assist, but rodent management is rarely as simple as placing bait and waiting.

Using the wrong bait, or using the right bait incorrectly, can lead to:

• Poor results
• Rodents ignoring or avoiding bait
• Incomplete control
• Increased risk to pets, wildlife and non-target animals
• Confusion about whether the issue is improving
• Unnecessary bait use

Professional rodent management considers:

• Pest species
• Activity level
• Bait type
• Station placement
• Access and safety
• Food competition
• Building entry points
• Monitoring requirements
• Environmental risk

The right product in the wrong place can still fail. That is why inspection, placement, review and adjustment matter.

What to Expect After Installation

After we have installed stations, it is normal to still see some activity at first.

Rodents do not usually die immediately after feeding. Depending on the bait and situation, it can take several days or weeks for activity to reduce.

If you are seeing increased activity, visible bait consumption or fresh droppings, that does not automatically mean the program has failed. It may mean rodents are interacting with the stations, which is important information for the follow-up review.

Why Our Bait Stations Are Locked

Our bait stations are locked for safety and management integrity.

They are designed to:

• Protect children, pets and wildlife
• Keep bait contained
• Allow our technicians to monitor activity properly
• Reduce the chance of interference with the program

Please do not open, move or tamper with bait stations.

Moving or opening stations can interfere with the rodent management program and may create safety risks.

If you notice a station has been damaged, moved or is missing, please contact us.

Safety for Pets, People and Wildlife

We understand that the safety and wellbeing of your family and pets are a top priority.

All rodent control products are used according to strict label instructions. As licensed pest managers, we are required to follow these instructions to protect people, pets, wildlife and the environment.

Bait is placed inside secure, tamper-resistant stations to help keep it contained and reduce the risk of accidental exposure.

Under current rules, outdoor bait stations must be tamper-resistant, weather-resistant, secured in place and placed close to buildings. The bait changes page also explains that outdoor stations must not be placed more than 2 metres from buildings, mouse stations must not be used outdoors, bait must not be placed directly into burrows, dead rodents should be searched for and removed during visits where practical, and disposable gloves must be worn when handling bait, stations and carcasses.

Please let us know if you have:

• Dogs or cats
• Poultry
• Livestock
• Wildlife concerns
• Children on site
• Food safety requirements
• Sensitive areas

We can tailor station placement and the management approach where appropriate.

Pricing and Ongoing Visits

Rodent management is a process, not a one-off installation.

Our initial visit includes inspection and assessment of the rodent control elements required, associated risks, bait and station selection, and setup.

Follow-up visits are used to monitor rodent activity and adjust rodent control strategies. These visits are charged based on time spent on site and materials used, typically starting at $100 and increasing depending on what is needed.

Carcass removal and odour control services are also available where required.

How to Prevent a Rodent Problem

Rodents are attracted to food, water and shelter. Reducing these makes your property less appealing and helps support the program.  Before our team arrives, there are a few simple steps you can take to help improve the result

Pack Up

Clear clutter from affected areas, both inside and outside.

This may include:

• Storage areas
• Sheds and garages
• Cupboards
• Gardens
• Areas around the building perimeter
• Beneath your manhole entry and exit point

If areas are not accessible, our technicians may not be able to inspect properly or place stations where they are needed.

Clean Up

Remove rubbish, food scraps, pet food and animal feed where possible.

Clean areas where rodents may be feeding or nesting, including under sinks, inside cupboards and around outdoor areas.

Keep grass and foliage trimmed, remove woodpiles or keep them well away from the building, and clear debris.

Seal and Maintain

Where practical:

• Install door sweeps on exterior doors
• Repair damaged screens
• Seal cracks and holes around the outside of the property
• Seal gaps where utilities and pipes enter the building
• Replace loose mortar and weather stripping
• Trim branches that may provide access to the roof
• Fix leaking pipes and blocked drains
• Store firewood at least 6 metres away from buildings
• Keep shrubbery cut back from the building

Good housekeeping and property maintenance make a significant difference to long-term rodent pressure.