West Ryde Library and its after-hours chutes are closed until further notice for essential safety repairs following a water leak from a nearby property. Our other libraries are still open.
Rodents can contaminate food, surfaces and utensils with their droppings and urine, and transmit diseases such as salmonella, leptospirosis and typhus to humans. Rodents can also cause damage by gnawing and digging. Rodents are usually more active at night and shelter and nest in places such as:
To check whether rodents are present look for:
Controlling rodents around the home:
Traps should be left unset for a few days to avoid ‘trap-shyness’. Baits can include any foods attractive to rodents and should be securely attached to the trigger plate. Traps should be checked daily and any dead rats should be removed and sealed in a plastic bag before placing them in the garbage bin. Wear gloves when handling dead rats and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterwards. Poison baits should be used strictly in accordance with the label directions. Persistent problems may need to be treated by a licensed pest controller. Licensed pest controllers are listed in the Yellow Pages under Pest Control.