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Water Rat | FF0018 |
Ian Temby, Flora and Fauna Branch
September, 2003 |  |
Problem
Damage to water control structures by burrowing. Damage to linings of aquaculture ponds by burrowing. Eating yabbies and fish at fish farms. Fouling water craft used as eating platforms.
Background
The Water Rat is a common native rodent, found in most Victorian inland waterways, including irrigation channels. It also frequents estuarine areas, and may be found foraging in sea water. It is carnivorous, and its diet includes freshwater mussels, yabbies, other crustacea, fish and frogs. It lives in burrows that it constructs, or in hollows under trees, in piles of driftwood, etc.
All native birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, and some introduced species such as deer, are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975, and may not be captured or harmed in any way without an authority issued under the Wildlife Act.
Solution
Fill burrows in when the animal is not present and lay wire netting over the area adjacent to the control structures affected, to prevent further burrowing. Wire netting pegged to the banks of aquaculture ponds may also prevent burrowing in this situation.
Exclude Water Rats using electric fencing. Two wires, the lower one an earth and the top one live, have been used successfully on marron farms in Western Australia for this purpose. Water Rats must be forced to go over the lower wire and between it and the upper wire. A lower wire approximately 3.5 cm above the ground, and a 5.5 cm gap to the live wire should be effective, although some adjustment may be necessary.
On moored water craft, temporary barriers of metal, perspex or other smooth material no less than 30 cm wide, should be attached not more than 5 cm in from the edges of low-lying parts of the craft where Water Rats gain access. The barriers should be vertical or placed at an angle of at least 450and sloping up and away from the water.
Trap and humanely destroy the Water Rats responsible, under the conditions of an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW), issued by DSE, and fill in any burrows. Contact the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186 for an application fro an ATCW. DSE staff can provide details of trapping methods, if this is approved.
The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the products mentioned. The State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
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