Pest control

Rats and mice

Treating a rodent problem and proofing where they get in.

Whether this needs a licence in Ireland

Ireland

Licence required

Registered professional user of biocidal products

Registered professional user of biocidal products, issued or supervised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Ask for the registration number before the work starts and check it on the public register. Check the register: www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie

Wording approved by Talqero; not yet reviewed by a solicitor

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marinewww.pcs.agriculture.gov.ieChecked 11/10/2026

Rats and mice: what the job involves

Getting rid of rats or mice and stopping them coming back: a survey to find how they get in, a treatment with traps or tamper-resistant bait stations, and proofing the gaps — around pipes, vents, doors and drains — that let them in.

Also asked for as: rat exterminator · pest control rats · mice in the house · mice in attic · rodent control

How the job is usually done

Survey inside and out: droppings, runs, gnawing, nests and smears, and the likely entry points.
Identify the rodent — house mouse, brown rat — and how serious the activity is.
Set traps or secured bait stations where children, pets and wildlife cannot reach them, and record where.
Return visits to check and replenish, typically over two to four weeks.
Proof entry points: wire wool and mortar around pipes, mesh on vents, brushes on doors, and drain checks.
Remove all bait and carcasses at the end, and leave a written report.

Rats and mice: what is included

Usually included

Survey, treatment and the agreed follow-up visits
Removing carcasses found and all bait at the end
A written report with what was used and where

Usually not included — agree it separately

Building repairs and major proofing, unless quoted
Drain repairs found by a survey
Cleaning and sanitising contaminated attics or insulation, unless quoted

Materials and who supplies them

Traps, bait stations and rodenticides — supplied by the pest controller, and professional products stay with them
Proofing materials: wire wool, mesh, sealant and mortar — supplied by the pest controller

How long it takes

An hour for the first visit, then two to four short follow-ups over a few weeks; a rat problem from a broken drain lasts until the drain is fixed.

When to book

Mice and rats move indoors in autumn as the weather cools, so problems often start from October; proofing before then helps.

Rats and mice: the rules in Ireland

What the official sources say, checked against them on the date shown. A summary, not legal advice — follow the link to read the rule itself.

Anybody offering a pest management service with products authorised for trained professional use must register with the Department as a Pest Management Trained Professional User. Since 1 January 2018, the PMU number (format PMUxxxxxx) is the proof of competence needed to buy trained-professional rodenticides for use outdoors, in open areas and in sewers. The number belongs to the individual, not the company.
Applies to: the pest control technician
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine · pcs.agriculture.gov.ie · Checked 9 October 2026
Rodenticides, insecticides and other biocides may only be sold and used as their authorisation allows, including who may use them — products authorised for professional or trained-professional use are not for householders. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the competent authority and keeps the register of authorised products.
Applies to: the pest controller and anybody using a biocide
EU Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) 528/2012; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Pesticide Registration and Control Divisions · pcs.agriculture.gov.ie · Checked 9 October 2026
A rented home must be kept in a proper state of structural repair, and where necessary adequate provision must be made to prevent harbourage or ingress of pests or vermin.
Applies to: the landlord
Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 17/2017), regulation 4(4) · irishstatutebook.ie · Checked 9 October 2026
The trader must give the total price, or how it will be calculated, before you agree, and must supply the service with reasonable care and skill and with materials fit for purpose.
Applies to: the pest control company
Consumer Rights Act 2022; Citizens Information · citizensinformation.ie · Checked 9 October 2026

Paperwork to ask for at the end

A treatment report: products, locations of baits and traps, and visit dates
The technician’s PMU number
Proofing done and any recommended repairs

Safety

Keep children and pets away from bait stations, and never move them yourself.
Wear gloves to handle droppings or a dead rodent, and do not sweep dry droppings — spray them with disinfectant first.
Rats spread leptospirosis (Weil’s disease); cover cuts and wash hands well.
Tell the pest controller about pets, so they choose the right method.

Rats and mice: before you hire

Questions to ask a tradesperson

What is your PMU registration number?
Will you find and proof where they are getting in?
How many visits are included, and what if they come back?
Is it safe for my children and pets?

What you can do yourself

A householder can set snap traps for an occasional mouse and seal small gaps with wire wool; rats, recurring mice or anything involving professional rodenticides is for a registered pest controller.

What to put in your task

What have you seen or heard?
Where is the activity?
How long has it been going on?
Are there children or pets in the home?
What type of property is it?

Photos that help

Droppings, with something for scale
Gnawing, holes or gaps around pipes and doors
The outside of the house near the activity, including vents and drains

Pest control

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Questions about rats and mice

Does rats and mice need a licence in Ireland?

Yes. Registered professional user of biocidal products, supervised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Source: www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie. Ask for the registration number and check it on the public register. Wording approved by Talqero; not yet reviewed by a solicitor.

How do I know if it is rats or mice?

Mouse droppings are small, like grains of rice; rat droppings are larger, like a fat grain of wheat or bigger. Rats leave greasy smears along runs and dig burrows outside. Heavy thumping at night is more often rats.

Can a rat come up through the drains?

Yes. Broken or disused drains and missing caps are a common route, especially in older homes. A CCTV drain survey can find the defect, and a non-return valve can stop rats getting back in.

I rent — who pays for pest control?

Landlords must keep a rented home in repair and make adequate provision against pests getting in. Tell your landlord in writing as soon as you see signs; if nothing is done, you can contact the council or the Residential Tenancies Board.

Often booked with rats and mice

Pest controllers