Facts on Rats and Rat Baiting
Information Sheet
Facts on Rats
Rats are excellent swimmers and can swim up to 800 metres and can tread water for
three days.
Rats can jump up to 1.2 metres horizontally and 1 metre vertically and can crawl
through gaps of 2cm in diameter.
Rats have very strong teeth that can gnaw through aluminium. Their front teeth grow
2.5cm per year.
Preventing Rat Harbourage
Residents can assist in controlling the number of rats and mice by:

Ensuring that creepers and vegetation are cut back regularly;

Woodpiles and the like are kept tidy and stored clear of the ground and
walls/fences;

Pet food and fallen fruit are not left out at night;

Bird and animal enclosures are kept clean and their food supplies kept in
vermin proof containers;

Compost is not kept in uncovered heaps, but rather in proper containers.

Carrying out proper baiting when rats are detected.
Rat Baiting
The bait that Council supplies is a potent anticoagulant. It is a primary rodenticide,
and does not require repeat feedings by a rat to cause death. An average sized rat
must consume approximately 6 grams of bait to cause death, which will occur within
3 – 5 days.
Instructions for Baiting
Using gloves, place the baits in sheltered locations where rats are thought to
frequent. Ensure that pets and young children do not have access to the baits. You
need to be vigilant and dispose of dead rats so that animals are not put at risk of
secondary poisoning. This can occur if an animal (e.g. a pet dog) consumes a
poisoned rat.
Trim Ref: M09/8376
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Date last revised: 1 May 2009
City of Nedlands
Facts on Rats and Rat Baiting
A simple bait station can be constructed as shown below. Once baits are placed do
not move them, as rats are suspicious of change.
Baiting will only be effective if other hygiene items are attended to. Fallen fruit, nuts,
grapes, etc. will attract rats. Trees overhanging the roof will allow rats easy access
to your roof. Wood piles and garden sheds may allow harbourage of rats.
Poisoning
It is important to ensure that the baits are only consumed by rats, and that dead rats
are disposed of promptly to prevent secondary poisoning. Some of the common
symptoms of poisoning include nosebleed, gum bleed and blood in urine/faeces. The
active ingredient of the rat baits you have been supplied with is Bromadialone, and
an antidote to Bromadialone is Vitamin K.
If suspected poisoning occurs, contact a medical professional or the Poison
Information Centre on 13 11 26 (24 hour service).
EXAMPLE 1:
EXAMPLE 2
If Rats Are Seen Running Along The Fence
Plastic PVC Pipe - 18 inches (450mm) long and
3 inches (75mm) diameter
place
bait
inside
House brick or
other weight.
Old ice cream
container. Cut
several entry
holes for rats.
Place block
under
container.
Trim Ref: M09/8376
Page 2 of 2
Date last revised: 1 May 2009