If you suspect a rat infestation in your drains in the UK, it’s important to act quickly as rats can cause damage to property and pose some health risks.
What are the signs of rats in drains?
You may hear scratching noises in pipes or drains, or you may find droppings around drain areas. Unpleasant odours may come up from the drains, and there may be evidence of rats entering or leaving the external drain pipes.
Keep hygiene at the top of your list
Always maintain hygiene around the property, and try to prevent access for rats. Keep the drains and surrounding areas clean to reduce their food sources. Also, ensure that lids on outdoor drains are secure and cannot be displaced easily. Avoid flushing food scraps or grease down sinks, as this can attract rats.
Get in touch with pest control if you suspect a problem
Reach out to a professional pest control company experienced in dealing with rats in drains. They have all the tools such as CCTV drain cameras, to confirm the infestation and locate entry points.
Rats can be a common problem. According to GB News, a car park in East Runton in Norfolk is suffering from an invasion of huge rats.
What is a CCTV survey?
A CCTV drain survey is an inspection method where a small, waterproof camera is inserted into drainage pipes to assess their condition and identify any issues. This technology is widely used in the UK for both residential and commercial properties. If you require a CCTV drain survey Wolverhampton, specialist providers such as Wilkinson Environmental can offer help and advice.
How to prevent long-term issues
Drain repair companies can line or replace damaged pipes to prevent future rat infestations. Regular maintenance and inspection of your drainage system can help spot issues.
By taking these steps, you can effectively eliminate a rat infestation in your drains and prevent it from recurring. For more local advice, consult your town council or a pest control service in your area.
Making the garden less attractive to rats
Rats in the drains often go hand in hand with rats in the garden, where they find food and nesting places before making their way into the home. Once established they are hard to get rid of, so it pays to look at what might be drawing them in.
Check whether the garden is overgrown, whether bins are left out or overflowing, and whether food waste is easy to reach. Clearing away rubbish, unnecessary waste and overgrown corners removes shelter and food, and makes the area far less inviting. This is worth doing before or alongside any treatment.
For the infestation itself, it is best to rely on pest control professionals. Homeowners using poisons or rat control devices may not use them correctly and can do more harm than good, both to the household and to pets and wildlife. A professional can deal with the problem quickly and effectively, and advise on stopping rats returning.