Rats
Frequently Asked Questions
 Rat infestations are serious and the problem needs to be addressed as early as possible.
Do They Carry Disease?
Yes. They can carry diseases such as leptospirosis (Weil's disease), salmonellosis and campylobacter.
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Do they cause Damage?
Yes. They cause structural damage to buildings by gnawing and burrowing.
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What is the most common rat found in the UK?
The brown rat. (Rattus Norvegicus).
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Where do they live?
The brown rat is a burrowing animal, and will live indoors, outdoors and in sewers. When brown rats are found in buildings it is usually because there are holes in the fabric of the building and/or defective drainage.
Rats require the following to survive and breed successfully:
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What do I look out for?
Signs of rat activity include:
- Sightings
- Droppings
- Musky odour (similar to rodent pets such as hamsters)
- Smears along walls from greasy fur
- 'Rat Holes' - burrows in the earth
- Footprints in dust
- Gnaw marks on food or building structures
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When will I see them?
Rats are timid creatures and normally forage at night. They are wary of new objects and tend to run alongside the base of walls, sometimes leaving a characteristic smear.
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How can I stop rats entering my property?
Seal gaps under doors and holes in brickwork with a hard, gnaw-resistant material. Maintain drains especially at ground or sub-ground levels. Remove any obvious food supply around dustbins etc.
Most poisons work by preventing the blood from clotting which causes the rat to die from internal bleeding. If it dies in a place where you cannot access it, it will rot and may give off an unpleasant smell for up to 2 weeks.
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Are Poisons Dangerous?
Yes. All poisons are dangerous and must be kept away from children and pets at all times. Please remove any excess once the infestation has gone.
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How do you get rid of rats?
Treatment involves assessing the extent of the problem, laying baits or traps as necessary, checking the baits or traps regularly and removing the material at the end of the treatment. Sometimes more than one treatment will be required to ensure control.
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Will the Council Help?
Yes - Arrangements can be made with the Call Centre on 020 8303 7777 Option 2.
For cost of this service please see pricing table
For Commercial properties please see pricing table
Alternatively, you can contact a private pest control company and arrange your own treatment. Numbers for these companies can be found in the Yellow Pages.
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What if the rat is in my house?
The Council will respond within 24 hours to remove it.
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