Rats & Mice Eliminated
Professional rodent control for homes and businesses across Launceston and northern Tasmania. Fast, effective, and safe for your family and pets.
What Launceston
Customers Say
"Had rats in my roof for weeks — scratching every night. Duncan came out the next morning, found exactly where they were getting in through a gap behind the eaves, set stations in the roof space and explained the whole process. Problem was gone within two weeks. Absolutely brilliant."
"We discovered mouse droppings behind our kitchen appliances. Called Duncan on a Tuesday, he was there Wednesday morning. Very professional, thorough inspection, explained everything clearly. He also pointed out a gap under the dishwasher we never knew about. Haven't seen a single dropping since."
"Duncan has been looking after our café on a quarterly contract for over a year now. Always on time, always professional, and the service records he provides are exactly what we need for council compliance. Wouldn't trust anyone else with our food premises."
"I manage three Airbnb properties in Launceston and Duncan is my go-to for rodent issues. Fast, discreet, and gets it sorted between guest stays without any fuss. Had a rat problem at one property mid-winter and he had it under control within a week. Highly recommend."
"Our warehouse had a serious Norway rat problem along the loading dock. Duncan set up a full perimeter baiting program and followed up twice. Completely resolved. He's now on a monthly contract with us and we haven't had an issue since. Very knowledgeable guy."
"Found mice in my rental property between tenants. Duncan fit me in same week, treated the whole property and gave me advice on sealing the gaps under the kitchen cupboards. Really went above and beyond. Will definitely use again and will be recommending to other landlords."
Launceston's
Rodent Expert
Duncan Lowry has been protecting Launceston homes and businesses from rats and mice for over 15 years. As the owner and lead technician at Pest Control Launceston, Duncan personally handles every rodent job — no sub-contractors, no shortcuts.
Whether it's a single rat in the roof or a full commercial infestation, Duncan brings a methodical, thorough approach that gets lasting results. He's licensed, insured, and knows Launceston's older housing stock inside out.
Winter Is Peak
Rodent Season
As temperatures drop across Launceston each May to August, rats and mice move indoors seeking warmth, food, and shelter. Tasmanian winters drive rodents out of gardens and paddocks directly into homes and businesses — and infestations can double in size within weeks.
How To Reduce Your Risk This Winter
Rats & Mice in Launceston
Two main species cause problems in Launceston properties. Knowing the difference matters — they behave differently and require different treatment approaches.
Roof rats and Norway rats are widespread in Launceston. Roof rats nest in ceiling cavities of older homes. Norway rats burrow in gardens and under foundations. Both are destructive and carry disease. Adult rats can cause serious structural damage by gnawing through timber, insulation, and electrical wiring — creating real fire risk.
House mice breed rapidly — a single pair can produce up to 60 offspring per year. They squeeze through gaps as small as 6mm, making them extremely hard to exclude without professional help. Common in kitchens, wall cavities, and roof spaces across Launceston homes and food businesses. Contaminate food and spread bacteria.
DIY vs Professional
Rodent Control
Most people try the hardware store first. Here's why it rarely works — and what Duncan does differently.
The Risks of
Rodent Infestations
Ignoring a rodent problem doesn't make it go away — it gets worse. Rats and mice breed rapidly and cause serious health and structural damage.
Which Situation
Are You In?
Rodent problems escalate quickly. Find your situation below and take action now.
Last Night
Scratching or scurrying sounds in your roof or walls at night almost certainly means rodents — most likely roof rats. You likely have a small number right now. This is the best time to act — before numbers grow and damage begins.
Call Duncan — Book This WeekDroppings
Finding droppings means rodents are actively moving through your space — foraging for food, contaminating surfaces, and potentially nesting nearby. The more droppings you find, the larger the infestation. Don't wait.
Call Duncan — Book ASAPRodent
Seeing a live rat or mouse during daylight hours is a serious sign — rodents are nocturnal, so daytime sightings usually indicate a large, established infestation with significant numbers. Call Duncan today for urgent treatment.
Call Duncan Now — 0419 373 845How Duncan
Treats Rodents
Every job is different. Duncan assesses each property individually and tailors a treatment plan that targets the specific species, entry points, and infestation level.
Every property is different, so Duncan provides a price after the initial inspection — not before. Pricing is based on the size of the property, severity of the infestation, number of bait stations required, and access requirements.
As a general guide, a standard residential rodent treatment starts from $180–$250 for a single-storey home. Commercial contracts are priced on scope and frequency.
Duncan will always talk through the cost with you before any work begins — no surprises. Call him on 0419 373 845 to discuss your situation and get a clear price.
What Type of Rodent
Do You Have?
Knowing the species helps Duncan tailor the treatment. Here's how to tell them apart.
| Also Known As | Black rat, ship rat |
| Size | 16–20cm body, long thin tail |
| Where Found | Roof cavities, ceiling spaces, trees |
| Signs | Scratching at night above you, elongated droppings |
| Common In | Older Launceston homes with timber roofs |
| Treatment | Roof space bait stations, entry point sealing |
| Also Known As | Brown rat, sewer rat |
| Size | 20–26cm body, heavy build |
| Where Found | Subfloor, garden burrows, under slabs |
| Signs | Burrow holes in garden, gnaw marks at ground level |
| Common In | Properties with gardens, sheds, compost bins |
| Treatment | Subfloor & perimeter bait stations, burrow treatment |
| Also Known As | Common mouse, field mouse |
| Size | 6–9cm body, large ears relative to head |
| Where Found | Kitchens, wall cavities, roof spaces |
| Signs | Small dark droppings, gnawed food packaging, musky odour |
| Common In | Kitchens, pantries, and rental properties |
| Treatment | Internal mouse stations, entry gap sealing |
| What It Is | Native marsupial — protected under Tasmanian law |
| Size | 32–58cm body, much larger than any rat |
| Where Found | Roof cavities, ceiling spaces, wall voids |
| Sounds | Loud thumping, hissing, coughing — heavier than rats |
| Active Time | Dusk to dawn — similar to rats, causing confusion |
| Key Difference | Much louder, heavier footsteps; distinct musty odour |
| Treatment | Cannot be poisoned — requires licensed wildlife removal and proofing |
Not sure if it's a possum or a rat? Duncan can help identify from a description or photos over the phone. Possums are protected and require a different approach entirely — don't bait until you know what you have.
Call Duncan to IdentifyCommercial & Short
Term Rentals
Rodents don't respect property type. Duncan provides professional rodent management for businesses, food venues, and short term rental properties across Launceston — with the documentation and discretion each requires.
Restaurants, Cafés & Food Businesses
A rodent sighting in a food venue can mean immediate closure by council health inspectors. Duncan provides discreet, scheduled rodent programs tailored for food businesses — with full service records for compliance audits.
- Tamper-resistant bait stations in key risk zones
- Monthly & quarterly service contracts available
- Full written service documentation for council compliance
- After-hours treatment to avoid disruption to trade
- Restaurants, cafés, takeaways, bakeries & food retail
Offices, Warehouses & Industrial
Warehouses and storage facilities are prime targets for rodents — stock damage, contamination, and gnawed wiring all carry serious cost. Duncan designs perimeter and internal rodent programs to protect your site and staff.
- Perimeter bait station networks around buildings
- Internal programs for storage and loading dock areas
- Entry point identification and exclusion advice
- Retail stores, warehouses, factories & industrial sites
- Ongoing monitoring with detailed service reports
Airbnb & Short Term Rental Properties
A rodent issue in a short term rental can trigger a negative review that affects your listing for months. Duncan offers fast-turnaround rodent treatments specifically for Airbnb hosts and property managers — timed between guest stays and designed to be completely discreet.
Managing a commercial property or short term rental in Launceston?
Call Duncan — 0419 373 845Serving All of
Launceston
Different Launceston suburbs have different rodent pressures — older homes, proximity to waterways, and surrounding bushland all play a role. Duncan knows them all.
Riverside and Trevallyn properties back onto the South Esk River corridor — a prime habitat for Norway rats. Riverside homes with gardens, sheds, and compost bins close to the water are particularly vulnerable to ground-level rat burrows, especially in autumn and winter when riverside vegetation dies back and food sources are reduced.
Kings Meadows and Youngtown feature many established homes with mature gardens and older subfloor construction — common entry points for both roof rats and Norway rats. Retail strip proximity means commercial waste also contributes to local rodent pressure. Duncan services numerous homes and small businesses throughout this area.
Newstead's heritage homes frequently feature older timber construction with gaps and voids that modern builds don't have — ideal for roof rat entry. Invermay's industrial and warehouse precinct borders residential streets, creating rodent pressure from both commercial and domestic sources. Duncan provides both residential and commercial programs across this zone.
The CBD and inner suburbs — including Newnham, Mowbray, and Prospect — have a mix of food businesses, older residential stock, and high foot traffic that sustains year-round rodent populations. Duncan works with restaurants, takeaways, and apartment buildings throughout the CBD on both one-off treatments and ongoing rodent management contracts.
Service Areas
Duncan services all of Launceston and surrounding suburbs for rodent control — both residential and commercial properties.