Hardware store shelves are empty as people rush to stock up on bait and traps should the rodents find a place in their home.

The poison used to terminate mice, however, can be a risk for households with pets and raises questions about the safest choice for a household with animals.

The horrifying scenes at farms and homes in NSW have prompted the state government to throw $50 million at the problem to subsidise baits and traps.

The agricultural pest control product zinc phosphide has been doubled in potency for grain producers.

That has pushed the ACT government to begin preparations for a contingency plan, amid concerns the plague will move east to the territory.

Pest control businesses have reported a huge increase in rodent call-outs in recent weeks.

One Canberra-based business said there was a 100 per cent increase in call-outs for rodents.

John Dryden, from Bugalugs pest control, said he was receiving about 15 calls a day to deal with mice from across Canberra and the surrounding region.

The first thing to do is fill in all potential entry points, according to Mr Dryden.

Mr Dryden said holes around garage doors and gaps between bricks were typical ways mice got in.

"You can use steel wool or you can use expander foam in really big gaps," he said.

Removing clutter around the house to reduce the places they can hide, including piles of boxes or wood outside, is another top tip.

Mr Dryden said compost should also be kept in a secured container to prevent rodents getting in.

Pet food particularly should be stored in a sealed container.

"Make sure there's nothing for them to eat, everything in your kitchen is nice and sealed, all your food is kept in air-tight containers," Mr Dryden said.

"If you've got big bags of dog food keep them in sealed garbage bin."

Mr Dryden said the most important thing for residents to do was prepare early and have a bait plan ready for when the rodents come.

"If you don't have mice yet, get a preventative baiting program put in place for when it does happen," he said.

For most households with a small problem and a few rodents, standard mouse traps work well and avoid the issues poison can pose.

Traps should be checked regularly and be kept in areas inaccessible to pets and children.

Bait should also be changed every few days.

Mr Dryden said wax blocks, which are poison, were also secure and accessible bait to use for everyday households.

While poison can be the simplest answer to tackle a few mice around the house, it can pose a deadly risk to pets.

The RSPCA states poison can be fatal to pets and wildlife who ingest it or eat a mouse who has been poisoned.

Signs of bait poisoning will vary depending on the size of the dog or cat and may be delayed by three to seven days.

The RSPCA says signs include lethargy, weakness, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing or obvious haemorrhage which may show as bruising or vomiting blood.

If you think your pet has eaten mouse bait contact the vet immediately.

"Rat bait poisoning can be treated, but the chance of recovery depends on how severely the dog or cat is affected, amount of bait consumed, and what kind of bait they ate," the RSPCA states.

Animal rights groups have also raised concerns about the NSW government's decision to use bromadiolone, a highly lethal poison, to tackle the issue on a larger scale.

The poison takes a while to kill rodents, so they are likely to keep coming back and consume a highly toxic amount.

BirdLife Australia has raised concerns that could mean it kills native birds and other wildlife if they eat the dead mice.

Keeping poison away from animals can be difficult, and Mr Dryden said some types of bait were better suited to households with pets than others.

He said residents should avoid using pellets, which posed a higher risk to animals.

"Pellets can be spread around by the rats and the mice, they then drop and the cats and the dogs can then eat the poison," he said.

He said a more secure option was a wax block inside a secured rodent bait station.

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Most bait stations are lockable and designed to keep the poison away from animals and children.

The RSPCA said a poison-free approach was best when pets were around but if poison is used in a rat station, owners should be cautious to ensure their dog doesn't go near that area or eat mouse carcasses.

The RSPCA said cats could also pose an issue because of their hunting tendencies and should be kept inside or away from bait.

As the plague ravages parts of NSW and makes its way east, already shelves have been stripped as residents prepare for the infestation.

Mr Dryden said if standard mouse bait like traps and wax blocks weren't available, or the problem became too severe for a standard measure - they should get professional help.

He discouraged anyone taking on a do-it-yourself technique, saying it could be dangerous and likely a more cruel and inhumane way to deal with rodents.

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