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Invasive Rat Control Victoria
The brown rat, also known as the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), is a highly adaptable invasive pest species that causes significant environmental, agricultural, commercial and public health impacts across Australia.
Along with the black rat (Rattus rattus), the brown rat is one of Australia's most common pest rodent species and has become widely established around human habitation, agricultural areas, waterways, industrial sites, poultry farms and urban environments.
Brown rats are not native to Australia and have spread globally due to their ability to adapt to a wide range of conditions. Their success as an invasive species is largely due to their rapid breeding rates, opportunistic feeding behaviour and ability to exploit food sources and shelter associated with human activity.
Brown rats can cause extensive damage through contamination of food supplies, damage to infrastructure, destruction of crops, and the spread of diseases affecting humans, livestock and wildlife.
They pose a particular risk to poultry farms and agricultural enterprises, where they can contaminate feed, damage buildings and equipment, reduce production efficiency, and contribute to biosecurity risks through the transmission of pathogens. Rodent activity can result in significant financial losses for farmers and commercial operators through feed wastage, structural damage and increased management costs.
In natural environments, invasive rats can compete with native species for resources and threaten biodiversity, particularly where they impact ground-nesting birds, reptiles and small mammals.
Effective rat control and management is essential to protect agricultural assets, poultry production facilities, commercial properties, public infrastructure and environmental values. CVPM provides professional invasive rodent management services using targeted, integrated pest management strategies designed to reduce pest populations while minimising risks to non-target species and the surrounding environment.
Our evidence-based pest management programs utilise site assessments, monitoring, risk evaluation and proven control techniques to deliver effective long-term outcomes. CVPM works with poultry farms, agricultural enterprises, commercial operators, government agencies, landholders and asset managers to implement responsible rodent control solutions that protect property, productivity, animal health and environmental values.
Through strategic invasive pest management programs, CVPM helps safeguard agricultural operations, poultry facilities, commercial assets, public spaces and ecosystems across Victoria.
Methods of Control
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Trapping
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Shooting with PCP Rifles Thermal / Night vision
Brown Rat
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Black Rat
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Economic & Enviromental impacts
Brown Rat
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Brown rats are considered a significant pest due to their ability to adapt to various
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environments and their potential to cause damage to property and agriculture.
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They can contaminate food stores, damage buildings by gnawing on structures and electrical wires.
Environmental impacts
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They compete with native Australian wildlife for resources and can negatively impact native species,
particularly through predation on eggs and young.
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Brown rats are ground-dwelling and often burrow, though they are also known to climb.
They are strong swimmers and commonly found in areas like sewers and wetlands.
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They are known carriers of various diseases that can be transmitted to humans through contact
with their urine, feces, or saliva, or through bites and scratches.
Economic impacts
Black Rat
Economic impacts
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Black rats are known to damage crops, including citrus and other fruits, leading to significant yield losses and reduced farm income.
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Rodents can cause damage to buildings and infrastructure by gnawing on wires, pipes, and other materials.
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Black rats contaminate food storage and processing facilities, leading to spoilage and economic losses.
Enviromental impacts
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They compete with native Australian wildlife for resources and can negatively impact native species, particularly through predation on eggs and young.
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Brown rats are ground-dwelling and often burrow, though they are also known to climb. They are strong swimmers and commonly found in areas like sewers and wetlands.
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They are known carriers of various diseases that can be transmitted to humans through contact with their urine, feces, or saliva, or through bites and scratches.
