Getting rid of rats means more than setting a trap. It needs the food removed, the entry points found and the treatment followed up properly. Here is the order that works.
Before anything else, work out where the rats are getting in and where they are active. Look for gnaw marks, rub marks and droppings along walls, and check the outside of the building for gaps around pipes, cracked air bricks, damaged drains and holes under sheds. Treating without finding the entrance is like mopping the floor with the tap still running.
Rats stay where there is easy food. Put dry food in sealed hard containers, clear up spills, empty bins regularly and bring pet food in at night. Outdoors, stop leaving bird food on the ground, and keep compost bins tidy and closed. If rats have an easy alternative supply, they will ignore bait and traps for a long time.
Rats are wary of new objects, so traps often work better after being left unset for a few days. Poison needs care: rodenticide can harm pets, birds and wildlife that eat poisoned rats, and rules cover who can buy and use stronger products. You may need to check what is allowed before you buy anything.
Look at traps and bait stations every day. Remove dead rats wearing gloves, double bag them and wash your hands. Keep going until signs stop, which can take a couple of weeks, and then keep watching. Droppings and gnawing that continue mean the problem has not been resolved.
Once rats have gone, seal the entrances with materials that cannot be chewed through, such as fine metal mesh, cement or metal plates, and not foam or plastic on their own. Sealing too early can trap animals inside, so make sure the building is clear first. Repair drains and replace broken covers.
Safety around the home matters throughout. Keep traps and bait stations out of reach of children and pets, and use tamper-resistant boxes for any bait. Wear gloves for all handling, and do not touch dead rats with bare hands. Disinfect surfaces afterwards and wash your hands thoroughly. If you are using traps, check them at the same time each day so that no animal is left suffering. If any of this feels uncomfortable, it is perfectly reasonable to ask for professional help from the outset. Writing down where each sign appears will show you whether numbers are going down or the animals are simply moving to a new part of the building. That record also helps a technician if you eventually decide to call for help, because it shows them exactly where to begin.
If the problem is bigger than traps can manage, ring 0113 347 0014 or message us on WhatsApp for a free quote.
It depends on how many there are and whether the entry point is found. Small problems may clear in two or three weeks. Larger ones can take longer, with several visits. Be sceptical of anyone promising rats will be gone overnight.
Not always. Poison can work, but there is a risk to pets and wildlife, and dead rats can be left in places you cannot reach. Traps suit small problems indoors. Professional treatment uses bait and traps where they fit, with careful monitoring.
Only if the rats are already gone. Sealing them in can lead to gnawing, noise and dead animals within the building. Treat first, confirm that activity has stopped and then proof the property against re-entry. Always check the building is clear first.
Tell us what you have seen and where, and we will come back to you. There are no call-out charges and surveys are free for homes and businesses.
