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Mouse & Rat Control

How to Get Rid of Rats

Rats are one of the most damaging pests a UK homeowner or business can face, and getting rid of them takes more than a trap and some determination. This guide walks you through what works, what to do first, and when calling in a professional is the right call.

Signs you actually have rats, not mice

Before you do anything else, confirm what you are dealing with. Rats leave larger droppings than mice, typically around 12mm to 18mm long and tapered at one end. You might also find dark smear marks along skirting boards and walls where their coats pick up grease and dirt, gnaw marks on cables, pipework and food packaging, and burrows in garden soil or under decking. Hearing scratching at night is common, particularly in wall cavities and lofts. If the signs are small and scattered, you may have mice rather than rats. The two need different approaches, so it is worth being certain before you start treatment.

What you can do yourself

There are practical steps you can take before or alongside professional treatment, and some of them are essential no matter what route you choose.

  • Remove food sources. Rats are opportunists. Store food in sealed containers, keep bin lids closed, and clear up fallen fruit and bird feed from the garden. An easy food supply is the main reason rats stay.
  • Block entry points. Rats can squeeze through a gap roughly the size of a two-pence coin. Check around pipes, vents, airbricks and where cables enter the building. Steel wool packed firmly into gaps, followed by caulk or mortar, is more effective than expanding foam alone because rats chew through foam easily.
  • Tidy harbourage areas. Woodpiles stacked against the house, overgrown borders and cluttered outbuildings give rats the cover they prefer. Clearing them reduces the appeal of your property significantly.
  • Snap traps and bait stations. Snap traps set along walls and runs, baited with peanut butter or chocolate, can catch individual rats. Place them with the trigger end touching the wall, check and reset daily. Rodenticide bait blocks in tamper-resistant stations are available to the public but must be used exactly as labelled, kept away from children and pets, and any dead rodents disposed of correctly and safely.

Be realistic about what DIY can achieve. If you are dealing with more than a couple of rats, or if the infestation is inside the structure of a building, self-treatment rarely resolves it fully.

When to call a pest controller

A professional is worth calling sooner rather than later in most situations. Rat populations grow quickly, and a small problem left to run can become a serious infestation within weeks. There are some situations where professional help is simply the most sensible first step.

If you have seen multiple rats, found evidence in more than one area of the property, or had a recurring problem that keeps returning, a qualified technician can carry out a thorough survey, identify how rats are getting in, and apply treatments that are not available over the counter. Professionals use rodenticides at higher concentrations than those sold to the public, and they know how to locate the runs, nest sites and entry points that a non-specialist would miss.

For businesses, there is also a legal dimension. Food businesses in particular have a duty under the Food Safety Act to keep premises free from pests, and a documented treatment programme from a professional provides a clear record if your premises are inspected.

At Mice Pest Control, our technicians are qualified and experienced, and every treatment comes with a written guarantee so you know exactly what is covered. We are fully insured and family run, which means you deal with people who care about the outcome, not a faceless call centre. Same day and next day appointments are often available across the UK, so you are not left waiting while the problem gets worse.

Health and safety

Rats carry a number of diseases, most notably Weil's disease (leptospirosis), which is spread through contact with rat urine. If you develop a high temperature, muscle aches or jaundice after potential contact with rats or contaminated water, contact your GP or call NHS 111 promptly. In a severe case, call 999. Rat droppings should be cleared wearing disposable gloves and a dust mask, and the area disinfected afterwards. Wash your hands thoroughly. Do not handle dead rats with bare hands.

If rodenticide has been used, follow the product label carefully and keep children and pets away from treated areas. If you suspect a child or pet has come into contact with rodenticide, contact NHS 111 or your vet immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get rid of rats in my house fast?
The fastest approach is to combine snap traps or bait stations with blocking all entry points and removing food sources at the same time. For anything beyond a couple of rats, calling a professional pest controller is usually quicker and more reliable than DIY, as they can assess and treat the whole problem in one visit rather than catching one or two rats at a time.
What is the most effective rat control method?
Professional rodenticide treatment combined with proofing the building against re-entry is the most effective approach for most infestations. Traps work well for light activity, but a trained technician can identify nest sites, entry points and runs that most people miss, and apply treatments that are not available to the general public.
How much does professional rat control cost in the UK?
Costs vary depending on the size of the property, the extent of the infestation, the location and how accessible the affected areas are. Most reputable companies will give you a clear quote after an initial survey and explain exactly what is included before any work begins.
How do I stop rats coming back after treatment?
Preventing rats from returning means removing what attracted them in the first place and sealing any entry points they used to get in. Keep food in sealed containers, manage bin storage carefully, and check the exterior of your property for gaps around pipes, airbricks and cable entry points. If you have had repeat infestations, a professional can carry out a dedicated proofing survey.
Are rats dangerous to my health?
Yes, rats pose genuine health risks, most notably through Weil's disease (leptospirosis), which is spread via rat urine and can cause serious illness. If you experience fever, muscle aches or jaundice after contact with rats or contaminated water, contact your GP or call NHS 111. Always wear gloves and a dust mask when clearing rat droppings, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
How can I tell if I have rats or mice?
The clearest difference is the size of the droppings: rat droppings are 12 to 18mm long and tapered, while mouse droppings are much smaller at around 3 to 6mm. Rats also tend to leave smear marks along walls, dig burrows outdoors and gnaw heavily on hard materials such as pipes and joists. If you are unsure, a pest controller can identify the species and advise on the right treatment.