Dealing with Infestation

What causes pest infestations?

A common assumption is that only dirty or neglected homes attract pests like rats and mice. This is not accurate. Any property can become a target if it offers what these animals need: food, warmth and somewhere to shelter.

Gardens, sheds, gaps under decking and even well maintained homes can provide ideal conditions. Pests are opportunistic. They will settle wherever they find resources, regardless of how clean or tidy the property appears.

Problems often arise when a neighbouring property becomes a source of infestation. If pests are breeding next door, they can quickly spread to surrounding homes. This creates a difficult situation, particularly if your neighbour is unwilling to address the problem or denies it exists.

An overgrown or rubbish-filled garden next door is one of the most common sources, as piles of waste and dense growth give rats and mice somewhere to nest.

When informal conversations fail, you may need to involve your local council. Environmental health departments have powers to investigate pest problems and can require property owners to take action.

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Rats: why they need controlling

Rats pose genuine health risks. They can transmit diseases to humans, including Weil's disease and various forms of food poisoning such as Salmonella. Their urine, droppings and the parasites they carry can contaminate food preparation areas and water sources.

Inside a house, rats typically nest under floorboards, in loft spaces, within wall cavities and in cellars. They are drawn to these areas because they provide warmth and protection from predators. Rats are also skilled climbers and can access upper floors through pipe runs and cavity walls.

Outdoors, rats commonly live in gardens despite their association with sewers. They burrow beneath sheds, nest in compost heaps and take shelter under decking or in thick vegetation. A garden that provides cover and a food source can sustain a breeding population for months without the homeowner realising the extent of the problem.

Signs of rat activity include droppings that are dark and pellet shaped, gnaw marks on wood or plastic, greasy smear marks along walls and skirting boards, and scratching sounds at night. You may also notice holes appearing in lawns or around building foundations.

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Preventing pest problems

Good housekeeping helps reduce the risk of rodent infestation, though it cannot guarantee prevention. Pests can still arrive due to nearby infestations, structural vulnerabilities or factors outside your control. That said, removing easy food sources and shelter makes your property less attractive to them.

Indoors, store food in sealed containers and clean up spillages promptly. Pay attention to areas behind appliances and under units where crumbs can accumulate unnoticed. Keep bin lids secure and take rubbish out regularly rather than letting it build up.

In the garden, maintain vegetation and cut back overgrown areas. Thick shrubs, tall grass and piles of debris provide cover for rats and mice. Keep lawns trimmed and clear accumulated materials from around sheds and fences.

Be mindful of how you feed wildlife. Putting out food for birds, hedgehogs or squirrels can unintentionally attract rats and mice. If you do feed garden wildlife, use feeders that limit spillage and clean up any fallen food before nightfall. Ground feeding is particularly likely to draw rodents.

Compost bins can also attract pests if they contain cooked food, meat or dairy products. Stick to vegetable peelings, garden waste and cardboard. Turn the compost regularly and consider using a bin with a solid base to prevent rats burrowing in from below.

Check your property for potential entry points. Rats can squeeze through gaps as small as 25mm, and mice through spaces of around 6mm. Seal holes around pipes, vents and cables using wire wool and filler. Fit bristle strips to the bottom of doors if there are gaps, and repair any damaged air bricks with mesh covers.

What to do if you have an infestation

If you spot signs of rats or mice, act quickly. Small problems can escalate rapidly because rodents breed fast. Under favourable conditions with multiple generations breeding, a single pair of rats can lead to a population of over a thousand within a year.

You can attempt to deal with minor infestations yourself using traps or rodenticides available from hardware shops. If you use poison, follow the instructions carefully and place bait in secure stations to prevent access by children, pets and non target wildlife. Always wear gloves when handling traps or dead rodents. DIY methods work best for small, contained problems, but they require careful monitoring and may take several weeks to show results.

For larger or persistent infestations, professional pest control is usually more effective. Professionals can identify entry points, assess the scale of the problem and use stronger treatments. Some local councils offer pest control services, though availability and charges vary widely. Some councils have stopped offering free services altogether, so contact your council's environmental health department to check what applies in your area. Private pest control companies are another option and may offer faster response times.

If you are a tenant, report the problem to your landlord. They have a responsibility to ensure the property is fit for habitation, which includes addressing pest infestations. If your landlord fails to act, your council can intervene.

When the infestation originates from a neighbouring property, the situation becomes more complicated. Start by speaking to your neighbour if possible. They may be unaware of the problem or already taking steps to resolve it. If they refuse to cooperate or the problem continues, contact your local council. Environmental health officers can inspect properties and issue notices requiring owners to deal with pest problems.

Keep a record of what you have observed, including dates, locations and photographs if possible. This information will support any formal complaint you make.

For guidance on council responsibilities and your rights regarding pests, search for environmental health or pest control on your local council website.

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