Pest control

Find out how to:

• spot rats
• prevent rats
• treat for rats yourself
• book a treatment.

How to spot rats

The most common rat found in the UK is the brown rat, although rats can vary in colour from grey to brown to almost black. They are good climbers and can squeeze through small holes.

Signs of rats include:

• black or brown droppings (normally 12mm long and 6mm wide)
• dirty marks and footprints on walls or objects where their dirty bodies have been
• scratching noises
• gnawing on furniture and electrical cables
• nests of shredded materials such as loft insulation and cardboard.

Where to check for rats

You should check for rats both inside and outside of your property.

They can usually be found in:

• lofts and attics
• kitchens and laundry rooms, normally behind appliances like cookers and under kitchen units
• cavity walls
• sheds and garages
• compost bins.

Rats can be dangerous

Rats can carry a wide range of diseases that can be passed on to humans, including the sometimes fatal Weil’s disease (Leptospirosis).

Visit the NHS website to find out more about Weil's disease.

These diseases are normally passed on via their droppings and urine which contaminate food, food preparation surfaces and water sources such as swimming pools and water butts.

Rats can also chew through cables and wiring, causing fires.

Prevention tips

The best way to prevent rats is to deny them food, water and shelter. Unlike mice, rats need to drink water daily and they’ll eat most things.

There are some things you can do to reduce your chances of getting rats:

• keep food in sealed containers
• put rubbish bags in bins with fitted lids
• keep the house and garden tidy. Less clutter means fewer places to hide
• put your pet’s food and water away at night. Rats are most active at this time
• seal any holes in the property such as gaps under external doors or around pipes.

Treating rats yourself

It can be very difficult to get rid of rats yourself, so it’s wise to get professional help.

If you want to try for yourself, you can:

• buy poison or traps from a hardware store or garden centre
• put down the poison or traps
• set up bait boxes.

You should always follow the instructions on the label and make sure they are in a safe place out of reach of children and pets.

We cannot be held responsible for any damage, loss or injury caused by following this advice.

Book a treatment 

We’ve partnered with Medway Norse to offer a pest control service for your home or business.

We can visit you Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.

Call 01634 283 215 to discuss treatment options.

For more information, view our terms and conditions.

Cost and payment

A rat treatment costs £90 for 2 visits.

In some cases we may need to visit you more than twice to get rid of your rat problem. If so, you'll need to book and pay again.

Prepare for your treatment

Before we arrive at your home or business, you must make sure it is clean, tidy and safe so we can carry out the rat treatment.

If we’re unable to get to the infected area, we will not be able to go ahead with the treatment and you will not be refunded.

During and after your treatment

There are certain rules you must follow after your treatment to make sure it’s as effective as possible.

You must:

• keep children and pets away from the bait
• wipe down food preparation surfaces with anti-bacterial cleaner
• wash all pots, pans and crockery before use
• store food in secure containers
• clean all floor areas to get rid of crumbs
• clean up any droppings or urine with disinfectant
• eat your meals in one easy to clean area
• remove bird feeders from your garden
• carry out any recommendations given to you when we visit.

You must not:

• touch or remove any bait or traps
• put bagged rubbish out until it is due for collection
• leave dirty dishes out overnight
• drop any scraps of food in the garden, including food for wildlife.

At the end of the treatment period, we will remove any uneaten bait.

If you find a dead rat you can double bag it in plastic bags and put it in your normal refuse.