If you think you have a rat in your property, it is unlikely to be alone. Rats can spread and cause significant damage to property from their constant chewing of wires, plumbing, timbers and other materials. Their droppings and urine can contaminate food items and create a serious health hazard.
Rats reproduce quickly, and so it is important to take action to prevent a minor infestation becoming a more significant problem that is more difficult to eradicate. If you think you have a problem with rats in your property, contact us today.
There are two species of rats found in the UK:
Both species are considered pests, and can both cause damage, spread disease and contaminate food sources. It is important to take measures to control their numbers to prevent more serious infestation.
As full members of The British Pest Control Association, you can be assured that we are both trained & qualified. We are fully insured and follow all industry Code of Best Practice, using only the most humane and effective methods available.
There are several signs that you may have a rat problem at your property. Here are some common indicators:
Runs and smear marks – rats are creatures of habit. They will often use the same route repeatable as they go about their daily routine. To a trained eye they can leave smear marks from their fur grease as they repeatedly pass areas, and wear runs into loft insulation.
Fully clearing a problem with rats can be challenging. Rats have been successfully living beside humans for thousands of years.
Getting rid of rats can require a combined approach of various methods, some only available to professional pest controllers. Methods may include:
Rats are naturally neophobic (fear of new things), and so any methods used have to take this into account in order to maximise success.
Our experienced team can produce a bespoke treatment plan that effectively removes any rat problem. We can then investigate their source to avoid them re-occurring in the future.
Prevention is always better than a cure. Unfortunately there are many products on the market that claim to deter rats, but have evidence that they actually work.
Ultrasonic deterrents claim to deter everything from rats, other mammals, birds and insects. We find they at best cause a temporary disturbance to pest activity, but soon have no effect. Home remedies also, such as peppermint, citrus oil, hot pepper (the list is endless), we often see attempted with little to no effect.
There are a few practical steps you can take however to help reduce the attractiveness of your property to rats;
Rats can be an unwelcome visitor to your garden, and will often make their home beneath decking, garden sheds, compost heaps and green houses. These locations can be dry, warm and protect the rats from predators.
Bird feeders are a common cause of attraction. Taking feeders in on a night can help since rats are generally nocturnal. However we have known rats learning to venture out on a morning when they know the bird feeders will appear.
Rats need a water source to survive. In the garden this might be a pond, a bird bath, or simply empty plant pots that are collecting water. Any standing water that you can remove will help deter rats.
Try and keep your garden tidy. Overgrown vegetation or other debris can provide good cover for rats to move around, or dig their burrows.
Hearing sounds in your loft? This is either rats, mice, squirrels or sometimes birds. From a site survey we would be able to identify the source of the noise, and implement an effective treatment plan to remove the problem pest.
Lofts provide a safe, warm and dry area for rats to nest and sleep. They may be accessing the loft from the outside of the roof directly, or climbing up wall cavities from a lower entry point. Wall cavities also allow the rats access into other areas of the property, including the kitchen and bathroom spaces following the properties plumbing.
If left, rat urine and droppings can collect on loft insulation reducing its effectiveness and requiring replacement. Damage can occur to personal belongings, wiring and plumbing.
The most common entry points into a property! Rats live in our sewer systems, enjoying the constant supply of food and water from our kitchen and toilet waste. Faults in the drain lines can allow access out of the drainage system into the surrounding ground and under/into the wall and flooring of buildings.
Even rats in the loft often are linked to drain issues, as they quickly escape the drains and travel up wall cavities to entry the warm and dry loft space.
This is why we often recommend a CCTV drain survey as part of a rat treatment, to identify any possible entry points.
Long standing rat problems which have plagued a property for many years can often be attributed to a fault in the drainage system.
A professional and competent pest controller would always take into account the risk to none target pets and wildlife when designing a treatment plan for rats.
In some cases the use of rodenticide may not be appropriate. However we can often use our experience to present bait in a way that is protected by children, pets and other animals. This might be through the use of secure bait boxes, or placing baits where only the rats can access. We can also use products or formulations that poses a lower risk to none target animals.
As registered supporters for the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use, we adhere to all codes of best practice of the UK Rodenticide Stewardship Scheme.
Getting to the Root Cause
At The Pest Company, we don’t just treat the symptoms of a rat infestation—we aim to identify and eliminate the root cause. Whether it’s a domestic home or a commercial premises, rats need only a small opening to gain access, and without finding and sealing this entry point, the problem is likely to return.
In homes, rats commonly gain access through:
Our experienced technicians will conduct a thorough inspection of your property—internally and externally—to trace the routes rats may be using to enter.
We’ll look for:
Where a potential drainage issue is suspected, we may recommend a CCTV Rat Drain Survey to get a clear view of underground pipework.
For businesses, rat infestations pose serious risks to health, reputation, and legal compliance. Common commercial entry points include:
We take a proactive approach for commercial sites, including:
A CCTV drain inspection is often essential in persistent commercial infestations, especially in food premises, hospitality, warehouses, and multi-unit buildings.
Rats commonly live in the sewer network and exploit faults in drains to enter homes and buildings. They often remain undetected for long periods, emerging to forage before returning to the safety of the drainage system.
Our CCTV Rat Drain Surveys allow us to:
By combining our pest control expertise with building and drainage knowledge, we offer more than just a short-term fix. Our goal is to help you:
If rats keep coming back to your home or business, there’s likely an underlying access issue. Let us help you find it.
Every branch is run by local pest professionals who live and work in your area. We know your community, and your pest problems – better than anyone.
Our process is built around expertise, safety, and long-term results. From the first inspection to prevention, every step is tailored to your property and pest issue.
We begin with a detailed inspection to identify the pest and assess the severity. This helps us plan the best next steps.
Each pest issue is different. We create custom plans based on the pest type, property layout, and infestation level — from fleas and bed bugs to ants and wasps.
As BPCA members, we prioritize safe, non-toxic pest control wherever possible — protecting your property without harming wildlife or the environment.
We offer preventative measures like sealing entry points, traps, or monitors — helping stop pests from coming back and giving you long-term peace of mind.
No more guessing, no more damage. Let our trained professionals assess your space and implement a treatment that works.
Rats are considered a serious health risk. They can spread harmful diseases such as Leptospirosis (Weil’s disease), Salmonella, and E. coli through their urine, droppings, and contaminated surfaces. Rats also pose safety risks by gnawing on electrical wiring, which can lead to fires, and damaging pipes and structural materials. For these reasons, prompt professional rat control is strongly recommended.
While rat poison (rodenticide) is available for public use, it must be handled with caution. Incorrect use can harm pets, wildlife, and children, and may lead to rats developing bait resistance. Professional pest controllers use licensed products and apply them safely in line with the CRRU UK Code of Best Practice. In many cases, a combination of proofing, trapping, and habitat management works better than relying on poison alone.
The time required varies depending on the scale of the infestation and how quickly the entry points can be identified and sealed. In most cases, noticeable activity reduces within a few days, and full eradication typically takes 1–3 weeks, including follow-up visits. Long‑standing or drain‑related infestations may require further investigation, such as a CCTV drain survey, to ensure rats cannot return.
