Rodent control.
Roof Rat, Norway Rat & Mice — bait, trap, seal.
Scratching in the roof at night is almost certainly Roof Rats. Burrows under the shed are Norway Rats. Droppings in the kitchen are mice. Pest-Nett identifies the species, baits and traps in secure stations, and seals the entry points — so new rodents don’t replace the ones we remove.
Scratching in the roof at night? Roof Rats are the most common rodent pest in Brisbane homes — and they gnaw on electrical wiring. Exposed wires are a leading cause of unexplained house fires. The sooner we treat, the lower the risk.
Call 07 3206 6721Three rodent pests in Brisbane.
Brisbane has three main rodent pests. Each behaves differently, enters differently, and needs a different treatment approach. Identifying the species is the first step — a Roof Rat problem in the ceiling is not solved by baiting the garden.
Which one is in your house?
- Roof Rat — roof voids, ceilings, agile climber
- Norway Rat — burrows, drains, ground level
- House Mouse — wall voids, kitchen, behind appliances
The rodents Pest-Nett treats.
Identifying the species determines where we place baits and traps, how we seal entry points, and what monitoring approach we use.
Roof Rat
Rattus rattus · 16–24cm body, tail longer than body
Sleek, agile climber. Grey to black fur, large ears, pointed snout. Nests in roof voids, ceilings, wall cavities, trees and dense vegetation — the most common rodent pest in Brisbane homes. Enters via trees, power lines and overhanging branches. Nocturnal; active at night in roofs and ceilings.
Norway Rat
Rattus norvegicus · 20–25cm body, tail shorter than body
Stocky, heavy-bodied. Brown fur, small ears, blunt snout. Burrows in soil, under floors, in drains, sewers, compost bins and around buildings — common in commercial areas, warehouses, restaurants and near water. Strong swimmer. Enters via drains, gaps under doors and broken pipes. More aggressive than the Roof Rat.
House Mouse
Mus musculus · 6–10cm body, tail about body length
Small, light brown to grey with a lighter belly, large ears and a thin tail. Nests in wall voids, stored items, roof voids, behind appliances and in furniture. Can squeeze through gaps as small as 6mm. Breeds faster than rats — a single pair can produce 50+ offspring in months. Common in both homes and commercial premises.
Why rodents are a health and fire hazard.
Rodents are not just a nuisance. They carry disease, contaminate food, and gnaw on electrical wiring — a leading cause of unexplained fires.
Disease
Rats and mice carry leptospirosis, salmonella, toxoplasmosis and other pathogens — spread through urine, droppings and bites. They contaminate food preparation surfaces and stored food.
Electrical fires
Rodents gnaw on electrical wiring in roof voids and wall cavities. Exposed wires are a leading cause of unexplained house and commercial fires — a rodent infestation is a fire hazard.
Property damage
Rodents gnaw on timber, pipes, insulation and stored goods. In roof voids they destroy insulation, chew through ceiling materials and damage wiring. Burrowing undermines paving and foundations.
Food contamination
In homes and businesses, rodents contaminate food with urine and droppings. In food businesses, rodents are a reportable compliance breach under HACCP and food safety standards.
Rapid breeding
A single pair of mice can produce 50+ offspring in months. Rats produce 4–6 litters per year. A few rodents become an infestation within weeks — early intervention is essential.
Signs of a rodent infestation.
If you hear scratching in the roof at night, you almost certainly have rodents. Here is what else to check for.
- Scratching, scurrying or gnawing sounds in the roof, walls or under floors at night
- Droppings — rat droppings are capsule-shaped (10–20mm); mouse droppings are rice-grain-sized (3–6mm)
- Gnaw marks on timber, wires, pipes, food packaging and furniture — rodents gnaw constantly
- Rub marks — dark, greasy smears along walls, beams and entry holes where rats travel
- Nests — shredded paper, insulation, fabric or grass in roof voids, wall cavities and hidden spaces
- Burrows in soil around buildings, under sheds, in compost bins or near drainage
- Chewed food packaging in pantries, garages and storerooms
- Pet food disappearing or being moved overnight
How rodents enter your home.
Rodents don’t need an open door. Mice enter through 6mm gaps. Roof Rats climb trees and power lines. Norway Rats come through drains. Finding and sealing entry points is the only permanent fix.
- Gaps under doors, around pipes and through vents — mice enter through 6mm gaps
- Trees, power lines and overhanging branches — Roof Rats climb to the roof
- Drains and sewers — Norway Rats enter through broken pipes and drains
- Roof voids and ceilings — through gaps in eaves, vents and roof penetrations
- Stored items brought inside — rodents nest in boxes, furniture and appliances
- Wall cavities and subfloors — through weep holes, cracks and service entries
Professional rodent treatment.
We identify the species, bait and trap in secure tamper-resistant stations, and seal entry points — because baiting without sealing is a temporary fix. New rodents simply walk back in through the same gaps.
Inspection & identification
We identify the species (Roof Rat, Norway Rat or Mouse — they need different approaches), find entry points, locate nests and runs, and assess the extent of the infestation. Roof Rats need roof-void and access-point treatment; Norway Rats need burrow and drain treatment; mice need void and crevice baiting.
Baiting & trapping
Professional rodenticides and traps placed in secure, tamper-resistant stations in roof voids, wall cavities, subfloors and along runs — never where pets or children can reach them. We use the right bait and station for the species and environment.
Entry point sealing
We identify how rodents are entering and advise on or carry out sealing — gaps under doors, around pipes, in eaves, weep holes and roof penetrations. Baiting without sealing means new rodents simply replace the ones killed.
Monitoring & follow-up
We monitor bait stations and traps, remove dead rodents, and return for a follow-up if activity persists. For ongoing protection, we recommend an external bait station program that intercepts rodents before they enter.
How to stop rodents coming back.
Baiting kills the current rodents. Sealing entry points stops the next ones. Here’s what keeps a cleared home clear.
- Trim trees and branches away from the roof — Roof Rats climb to entry points
- Seal gaps under doors, around pipes, in eaves and roof penetrations
- Store food in sealed containers — including pet food and bird seed
- Keep rubbish in sealed bins and compost in closed systems
- Remove clutter and stored items from garages, sheds and roof voids
- Fix drainage and plumbing — Norway Rats enter through broken pipes
- Keep grass mowed and vegetation trimmed around the exterior
- Install external bait stations for ongoing protection at high-risk properties
Scratching in the roof? Droppings in the kitchen? Tell us what you’re hearing and seeing — we’ll identify the species and explain what a treatment involves.
Call 07 3206 6721Book a treatmentIdentify my pestRodent control FAQs
How do I get rid of rats and mice in Brisbane?
Pest-Nett gets rid of rats and mice by identifying the species, placing professional baits and traps in secure tamper-resistant stations in roof voids, wall cavities, subfloors and along runs, and sealing the entry points they used to get in. The species matters — Roof Rats live in ceilings and need roof-void treatment, Norway Rats burrow near drains and need ground-level treatment, and mice need crevice baiting. Baiting without sealing entry points is a temporary fix; we do both.
What is the difference between Roof Rats and Norway Rats?
Roof Rats (Rattus rattus) are sleek, agile climbers with large ears and a pointed snout — they nest in roof voids, ceilings and trees, entering via branches and power lines. Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus) are stocky, heavy-bodied with small ears and a blunt snout — they burrow in soil, under floors and in drains, entering through pipes and gaps under doors. Pest-Nett identifies the species first because the treatment location and method differ — a Roof Rat problem in the ceiling is not solved by baiting the garden, and a Norway Rat problem in the drains is not solved by baiting the roof.
How do I know if I have rats or mice?
Listen for scratching and scurrying in the roof or walls at night. Check droppings — rat droppings are capsule-shaped (10–20mm), mouse droppings are rice-grain-sized (3–6mm). Look for gnaw marks on timber, wires and food packaging, and dark greasy rub marks along walls and beams where rats travel. If you hear activity in the ceiling, it is almost certainly Roof Rats; if you find burrows under the shed or near drains, it is likely Norway Rats; if you find small droppings in the kitchen or behind appliances, it is mice.
Are rodents dangerous in a house?
Yes. Rodents carry leptospirosis, salmonella and other diseases spread through urine and droppings. They contaminate food and surfaces. Critically, rodents gnaw on electrical wiring in roof voids and wall cavities — exposed wiring is a leading cause of unexplained house fires. A rodent infestation is a health and fire hazard, not just a nuisance.
How do mice get into a house?
Mice can squeeze through gaps as small as 6mm — under doors, around pipes, through vents, weep holes and cracks. They also enter inside boxes, furniture and appliances brought into the home. Once inside, they nest in wall voids, behind appliances, in stored items and roof voids. Sealing entry points is the only permanent solution; baiting kills the current mice but new ones enter through the same gaps.
How fast do rodents breed?
Rats produce 4–6 litters per year, with 6–12 young per litter. Mice breed even faster — a single pair can produce 50+ offspring in months under good conditions. This is why a few rodents become an infestation within weeks, and why early professional intervention matters. Baiting and trapping must be combined with entry-point sealing or the population simply replaces itself.
Are rodent treatments safe for pets and children?
Yes. Pest-Nett uses professional rodenticides in secure, tamper-resistant bait stations placed in roof voids, wall cavities, subfloors and along runs — never in locations accessible to pets or children. We use the right station and bait for the species and environment, and we brief you on any precautions. Traps are placed in the same secure locations.
Do you treat rodents in commercial premises?
Yes. Rats and mice are a major problem in Brisbane warehouses, restaurants, food production, offices and strata premises. We install external bait station programs, internal monitoring and documentation for HACCP and audit compliance. See our Commercial and Warehouse pages for more on ongoing management programs.
Get rid of rats and mice — properly.
Identify the species, bait and trap in secure stations, seal the entry points. One Brisbane team, one treatment. Mon–Fri, 8:00–17:00.