Pest control in Sydney: costs, city services and local pests

Quick answer: The City of Sydney does not provide pest control on private property: landowners hire a licensed pest management technician, and the NSW EPA licence can be checked on its public register. The council baits for rats in public spaces and can investigate when pests on private land put public health at risk.

Local pest issues in Sydney

Rats are the pest the City of Sydney deals with most visibly. In August 2019 the council resolved to review its rodent programme and study eradication options after cases of leptospirosis in dogs; the decision noted that the City had already increased its rat control budget from $50,000 to $150,000 and was maintaining 860 bait stations in public areas. Today the City says its programme uses poison bait stations and solar-powered SMART rodent control boxes across the local area.

Possums are the other common call-out, and they are protected native animals in NSW. NSW licence conditions for possum removal require the licensee to release the animal unharmed, after sunset, on the same property and within 150 metres of where it was caught, and to make a reasonable effort to have the roof cavity sealed. In practice that means exclusion and proofing, not relocation. Our guide to possums in a NSW roof explains the lawful route.

Termites are a risk across greater Sydney, and new homes in termite-risk areas need a termite management system and durable notice under the National Construction Code; see termite protection in new homes.

City of Sydney services

Issue	What the City does	Charge	How to contact
Rats on private land	Does not treat. Landowner engages a licensed pest controller. The City can investigate if community health and safety is at risk and act against the owner or occupier.	No service	02 9265 9333
Rats in public spaces or next door	Baiting and monitoring programme with bait stations and SMART rodent boxes; investigates reports.	Free to report	02 9265 9333 or the City’s online reporting
Rubbish attracting rats	Compliance officers can act on private land that is unsafe or unhealthy.	Free to report	02 9265 9333
Bee swarms	Responds on public land. Swarms on private land are the landowner’s job.	Free (public land)	02 9265 9333
Pigeons, cockatoos, mynas, gulls	No pigeon control; does not investigate wild bird complaints. Ibis are protected.	No service	Private licensed controller

The City of Sydney covers the CBD and inner suburbs only. Greater Sydney is split between many councils, so check your own council’s pages if you live elsewhere.

What private pest control costs in Sydney

We have not found a reliable published price list specific to Sydney, so use the national reported ranges in our Australia pest control cost guide. As a guide, hipages reports rodent removal at $250–$350, cockroach treatment at $215–$315 and bee or wasp nest removal at $100–$550, and puts a pre-purchase pest inspection at around $250. Termite work is priced separately and can run into the thousands for a full barrier.

Our checklist for comparing callouts, follow-up visits and quotes shows what to line up side by side. We are a comparison and referral service, not a pest control company; the form below passes your request to licensed firms that cover your area.

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We are a comparison and referral service, not a pest control company. We do not guarantee a quote, a price or a response time. If there is an immediate risk to health or safety, contact the relevant emergency service.

Renting in Sydney: who deals with pests

NSW Government guidance says landlords are generally responsible for pests and vermin at the start of a tenancy, as part of providing a reasonably clean property fit to live in. Tenants are generally responsible if the problem arises after they move in and was caused by their activities or lack of cleanliness. Where a tenant did not cause it, for example pests coming through a hole in the wall, the tenant may not be responsible, and the condition report and property history matter. NSW Fair Trading’s dispute resolution service (13 32 20) handles disagreements. See also pests in a rented home.

How to choose a pest controller here

In NSW anyone doing pest control work must hold a pest management technician licence issued by the NSW EPA. Ask to see the photo licence card, check the photo matches and the expiry date has not passed, and search the EPA public register by name or licence number. If you cannot find a licence, the NSW Environment Line is 131 555.
Get the scope in writing: which pests, inside and outside, number of visits, any warranty period and what it excludes.
For termites, ask whether the report follows the Australian Standard for inspections and whether a durable notice is on the property.
Ask what the treatment means for children and pets and when rooms can be re-entered; our guide to treatments around children and pets lists the questions.
Compare at least two quotes. See choosing a pest controller.

Pest control providers in Sydney

These businesses appear in public business listings for Sydney. We have not checked their EPA licences or insurance, so check the register before booking.