HOW TO GET RID OF RATS A Sunshine Coast guide
Rats in the roof? Here’s what to do first.
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The short answer
Rats on the Sunshine Coast usually live in the roof and get there from overhanging branches. To get rid of them, cut off the way in, remove food and water, then trap or bait them. Rats can become resistant to some baits and avoid others, so if DIY baits aren’t being eaten, a professional can identify the species from the droppings and choose a bait that works. Remember: rat bait isn’t safe for pets. See our rat and mouse control service.
Areas we service
- Caloundra area
- Kawana
- Mooloolaba & Maroochydore
- Coolum & the north shore
- Noosa
- Hinterland
From Caloundra to Noosa, including the hinterland. Local pages: pest control Caloundra, Pelican Waters, Caloundra West, Aura, pest control Golden Beach, Currimundi, Little Mountain, Kings Beach, pest control Moffat Beach, Dicky Beach, Kawana Waters, Mooloolaba, pest control Maroochydore, Buderim, Coolum Beach, Nambour, pest control Noosa. See every suburb we service.
Signs you have rats
- Scratching in the roof through the night
- Droppings in the roof, garage or pantry
- Gnawed fruit, packaging or wiring
- Burrows under sheds or along fences
Roof rat, brown rat or something else?
| Rodent | How to recognise it | Droppings |
|---|---|---|
| Roof rat (black rat) | Slim, agile climber with a tail longer than its body. Lives in roofs, trees and palms. | About 12 mm, pointed ends |
| Brown rat (Norway rat) | Heavier, with a shorter tail. Burrows under sheds, slabs and along drains. | About 20 mm, blunt ends |
| House mouse | Small with big ears. See how to get rid of mice. | 3 to 6 mm, like grains of rice |
| Native rodents | Bush rats and water rats live along creeks and bushland. | Protected wildlife in Queensland: don’t trap or bait them |
On the Sunshine Coast, the roof rat is the one most people hear at night. It’s a climber, which is why the roof and overhanging trees are the first places to look.
Getting rid of rats yourself, step by step
- Confirm it’s ratsRats scratch and scurry all night. Heavy thumping that starts at dusk and stops before dawn is more likely a possum.
- Cut off the highwayTrim branches, vines and palm fronds well back from the roof. This one step stops most roof rats getting in.
- Remove food and waterStore pet food, bird seed and chook feed in sealed containers, pick up fallen fruit and fix leaking taps.
- Find and block entry pointsCheck eaves, gaps where pipes and cables enter, and vents. Rats can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps.
- Trap along the wallsRats run along walls and beams. Set several traps where you’ve found droppings, at right angles to the wall, and check them every day. Wear gloves.
- Bait carefully, if at allIf you use bait, use a lockable bait station and keep it well away from pets and children. Rat bait isn’t safe for pets.
Cleaning up safely
Rats can carry diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonella in their droppings and urine. Don’t sweep or vacuum dry droppings, because it puts dust in the air. Wear gloves, wet the area with disinfectant, wipe it up with paper towel, bag it and put it in the bin, then wash your hands. Clean benches and pantry shelves the rats have walked over before using them again.
Protecting pets and wildlife
Poisoned rats don’t always die where you can find them. A dog, cat or owl that eats a poisoned rat can be poisoned too. If you bait, check for dead rats every day, pick them up with gloves, bag them and put them in the bin. Keep bait in lockable stations that pets can’t open, and never scatter loose bait in the roof or garden.
Why rats keep coming back
Most repeat problems come down to the way in staying open. If branches still touch the roof or there’s an open gap in the eaves, new rats will move into the space the last ones left. Food is the other half: a bird feeder, chook pen or compost heap can keep a whole colony going next door to your house.
When to call a professional
Hearing scratching all night? It’s probably rats. If you hear it mainly in the evening and early morning, it’s more likely a possum. If traps and baits aren’t working, our rat and mouse control starts from $157. Call 0437 238 277 and we’ll check.
Questions
Is it rats or possums in my roof?
Listen to the timing. Rats are active right through the night, while possums leave at dusk and return at dawn, so you hear them mainly in the evening and early morning. Heavy thumping usually means a possum; light scratching and scurrying usually means rats. If you’re not sure, we’ll get in the roof and identify the droppings.
Is rat bait safe for pets?
No. Rat bait isn’t safe for pets, and a dog or cat that eats a poisoned rat can be poisoned too. If you bait, use a lockable station pets can’t open, never scatter loose bait, and pick up dead rats with gloves. Tell us about your pets before we treat.
Should I use traps or bait?
Start with traps: you can see the result and there’s no poison near pets. Set several along walls where you’ve found droppings and check them every day. If numbers are high or the rats are hard to reach, a professional treatment is quicker: our rat and mouse control starts from $157.
Are rats dangerous?
They can be. Rats can carry diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonella in their droppings and urine, and they gnaw wiring. Don’t sweep or vacuum dry droppings: wet the area with disinfectant, wipe it up wearing gloves and bin it. If rats are in the roof or kitchen, deal with them quickly.
Why do rats keep coming back?
Usually because the way in is still open. If branches still touch the roof or there’s a gap in the eaves, new rats move into the space the last ones left. Food is the other half: bird feeders, chook pens and compost heaps can keep a colony going next door. Close the way in and remove the food.
How do rats get into the roof?
Usually from overhanging branches. Roof rats are agile climbers that run along branches, vines and palm fronds onto the roof, then in through gaps in the eaves. Trimming everything well back from the roof is one of the most effective things you can do, and when we treat, we trim overhanging branches too.
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Call Patrick or Noah on 0437 238 277, or request a free quote online.
Last reviewed 8 October 2026 by Patrick Hart, Queensland Health licensed pest controller (licence 14530).