Rats and mice in Dubai
Rattus, Mus
Free DM service · 4 working days- Size
- Mice about 6–10 cm, rats about 16–25 cm (body, without tail)
- Moves
- Crawls
- Bites or stings
- Bites
- Season
- All year
- Where you'll see them
- Kitchen, Garden, Drains, Outdoors
Short answer
- Rodents follow food waste, so restaurants, bin areas and gardens with fruit trees attract them. Food businesses must have a licensed pest control contract.
- Covered by the Municipality's free public health service for residents, with a stated response of 4 working days (Khaleej Times, Nov 2024).
Signs of rats and mice
- Droppings along walls and in cupboards
- Gnawed packaging, cables or doors
- Scratching in false ceilings at night
- Greasy rub marks along regular runs
Does Dubai Municipality treat rats and mice for free?
Covered by the Municipality's free public health service for residents, with a stated response of 4 working days (Khaleej Times, Nov 2024). Read how the free service works.
Flats and villas
| Home | What's different |
|---|---|
| Flat | In flats, rodents usually follow shared bin rooms and service shafts, so the building manager needs to be involved. |
| Villa | In villas, gardens with fruit trees, outdoor storage and gaps under doors are the usual way in. |
What treatment costs
Estimates published by marketplaces and blogs, not quotes. Check what's included (VAT, visits, warranty). Full comparison: pest control prices in Dubai.
| Job | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rodent control (trapping and proofing; usually quoted after inspection) | AED 300–700 | Real Estate Club Dubai, 16 Jun 2026 |
How to keep them out
- Keep bins closed and take rubbish out regularly
- Store food, including pet food, in sealed containers
- Seal gaps around pipes, cables and under doors
- Pick up fallen fruit and clear garden clutter
- Report rodents in shared bin areas to your building manager
Guides that cover rats and mice
- Dubai Municipality free pest control: who qualifies and how
- Pest control rules for restaurants and food shops in Dubai
- Landlord won't pay for pest control in Dubai: what you can do
- Pest control prices in Dubai (2026): what marketplaces quote
- Pest control with cats and dogs at home in Dubai
- How to report illegal pest control or pesticide sellers in Dubai
- Who pays for pest control in Dubai: landlord or tenant?
Questions people ask
Does Dubai Municipality remove rats for free?
Yes, rodents are covered by the Municipality's free public health service for residents, with a stated response of 4 working days. Apply on 800900, the DM app or Dubai Now.
Do restaurants in Dubai need a pest control contract?
Yes. The Dubai Municipality Food Code requires food premises to use licensed pest control companies and keep the contract and records on site.
What should I do if a rat or mouse bites someone?
Wash the wound and see a doctor promptly; call 999 if it is serious. For a pet, contact your vet.
General information only. If you hire a company, check it is on Dubai Municipality's approved list, and ask for written safety instructions before treatment.
Sources
- Dubai: Got mosquitoes in your home? How to apply for free Municipality pest control service (Khaleej Times, Nov 2024)
- Public health pest control in Dubai (dubizzle, 29 Aug 2024)
- Fines await owners of Dubai buildings with rat infestation (Gulf News, 2018)
- Food Code 2013 (Dubai Municipality)
- Deep cleaning and pest control cost in Dubai 2026: move-in prices (Real Estate Club Dubai, 16 Jun 2026)