Rats Control

Most domestic rat infestations are fully resolved within 2 to 4 weeks, though this depends on how established the infestation is and the size of the property. Our process starts with a full survey to identify entry points, nesting sites and the extent of activity, followed by baiting or trapping under the UK’s CRRU stewardship guidelines. We then carry out a follow-up visit to check bait uptake, remove carcasses and confirm activity has stopped. Larger commercial sites or long-standing infestations can take longer, which is why every job includes a follow-up inspection as standard rather than a one-off treatment.

They rest in quiet, dark spaces: under floors, in lofts, behind kitchen units, inside wall cavities, sheds, compost areas, and near warm pipe runs.

Wear gloves, ventilate the area, and clean using disinfectant, not a dry brush. Dispose of waste safely. Avoid vacuuming droppings directly. Then arrange a professional survey to tackle the source, not just the mess.

Options include professional baits, snap traps, and monitored non-toxic blocks to track activity. The best results come from an integrated plan, proofing, hygiene, and targeted control, used safely and legally.

Can I get rid of rats myself without calling a professional? You can reduce a very small, very new rat problem yourself, but DIY methods rarely resolve an established infestation… There are also legal limits: under the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022, glue traps became illegal for members of the public in England from 31 July 2024.

Price varies by property size, severity, proofing needs, and number of visits. After a short survey, we’ll provide a transparent quote with no hidden extras.

Scratching in walls or lofts at night is one of the most reliable signs of a rodent infestation, because rats and mice are nocturnal and most active between dusk and dawn. Rats produce heavier, slower scratching and audible gnawing, usually lower down in wall cavities or under floors. Mice make lighter, faster scuttling sounds, more often in the loft or ceiling void. Either way, the noise means an animal is living inside the structure, and it will not leave on its own. The gnawing is the urgent part; rats chew on whatever is in reach, including electrical cable.

The clearest way to tell rats from mice is by their droppings. Rat droppings are 10–20mm long, dark, and capsule-shaped. Mouse droppings are 3–6mm and pointed at the ends, and there are usually far more of them because mice deposit up to 80 a day. Rats are also neophobic, wary of anything new in their environment, which is why traps sit untouched for days, while mice investigate new objects almost immediately. Rat gnaw marks are larger and rougher, and rats leave greasy smear marks along the routes they run repeatedly.

In England and Wales, rat control is usually the landlord’s responsibility where the infestation results from disrepair or a structural defect, such as broken drains, holes in external walls, or damaged floors. This falls under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, which require rented homes to be fit to live in. A tenant may be responsible where their own actions caused the problem, for example, uncontrolled food waste. Separately, under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949, occupiers have a duty to notify the local authority of substantial rat infestations. Report the problem to your landlord in writing and keep a record.

There’s no single best rat control company in West London, but there is a short checklist that separates a proper job from a callout. Look for membership of a recognised trade body such as the BPCA or NPTA, technicians certified to use professional rodenticides, a written survey rather than a phone quote, proofing included in the price rather than sold separately, and a guarantee with a stated length. CCS Environmental has operated as a family-run pest control company in West London since 2008 and meets all five. Ask any company you’re considering to confirm the same in writing.

One rat in the garden is worth investigating, because rats are social animals that live in groups and a lone rat is rarely a lone rat. A single sighting normally means a nest or burrow nearby, either on your property or on adjoining land. That said, a rat crossing a garden near a canal, railway embankment, allotment or building site may be transient rather than resident. The way to tell is to look for burrows, runs and droppings. If you find any of those, treat it as an active infestation and book a survey.

Rats come back when the entry points are still open, so proofing is what makes treatment permanent. Seal every gap wider than about 15mm with wire wool and mortar or steel mesh, fit sweeps to external doors, close gaps around incoming pipes and cables, and repair or replace defective drain covers and cracked drainage. Then remove what attracts them: secure bin lids, stop feeding birds on the ground, lift fallen fruit, store pet food in sealed containers, and clear dense ground cover, decking voids, and stacked material near the house. Proofing is included in every CCS rat control job for exactly this reason.

Yes. Rats gnaw constantly because their incisors never stop growing, and cable insulation is a common target in lofts, wall cavities and under floors. Stripped or severed wiring can arc against surrounding material such as loft insulation or timber, which is a recognised fire risk. This is why noises in the loft shouldn’t be left over winter. If you suspect rats near your consumer unit or cabling, treat it as urgent and have the wiring checked by a qualified electrician after treatment.