Advice
Signs of Rats in Your Home or Garden and What to Do
Rats are secretive and mostly active at night, so the signs they leave behind are often the first and clearest way to know they are there.
Read the guide →Every job begins with an inspection to find out where the rats are living, how they are getting in and what is drawing them to the property. The price is agreed before any work starts, and we explain each step as we go. You will always know what is planned and what it will cost before we begin, and we are happy to answer questions throughout.
How to tell you have rats
Rats are larger than mice and leave larger droppings, often found along walls, under decking or near food sources. You may hear scratching and movement in lofts, under floors or inside walls, especially at night. Greasy marks along regular routes, gnawed wood or pipework, and shallow burrows in banks, compost areas or beneath sheds all point towards rats. Rats tend to use the same routes between nesting and feeding areas, so what you see is usually only part of a larger pattern that an inspection can map.
Outside, look for holes about the width of a fist beside walls, drains and outbuildings. Damaged cables are a particular worry, as they can cause faults and are a fire risk. Pets behaving oddly near a spot, or smells from a blocked or broken drain, can also be clues. If you are unsure, an inspection will give you a clear answer. Do not try to deal with a bad problem alone. Poorly placed bait can be eaten by other animals, and rats quickly learn to avoid ordinary traps.
What we do and how we do it
After finding the entry points and any burrows, we set up baiting and trapping in a safe and controlled way, using covered stations and protected positions so that children, pets and other animals cannot reach them. We check progress on follow-up visits and adjust the plan if activity moves. We keep notes so you know what was done and where. Follow-up visits matter, because rats are cautious and may take time to accept bait or traps, and we adjust positions according to what we find.
Treatment alone does not fix the cause. We then look at proofing, repairing or covering gaps, drain defects and damaged airbricks, and talk through what attracts rats: open bins, food waste, compost, poultry or garden feed left out, and cluttered corners that give cover. Small changes to these habits often make the biggest difference to whether rats return. We will explain what to do with any food storage, bins and outdoor feeding areas, and recommend simple fixes you can carry out easily yourself.
Rats in Devon gardens, homes and premises
Devon's mix of older housing, farmland, rivers, coast and busy town centres gives rats plenty of food and shelter. Houses beside fields or the edge of the moor often see rats moving closer to buildings in colder weather, while terraces and town properties can be affected by shared drains, bins and neighbouring gardens. Larger properties, farms and smallholdings may need a more structured plan, and we are happy to put one together with the owner or manager. Outbuildings, sheds and gardens near watercourses are all common starting points.
Seasonal visitors bring extra waste, with takeaway food, full bins and busy kitchens across tourist areas. Cafes, pubs, guest houses and holiday lets need to act quickly, since a sighting can damage a reputation. We also help landlords, managing agents and homeowners with gardens, chicken runs and outbuildings, where rats are drawn to feed and shelter. Whatever your situation, we aim to give a clear, honest assessment of what is needed and avoid work that does not need to be done.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to clear rats?
It depends on how many there are and how they are feeding. Many problems settle over a couple of weeks of controlled baiting and trapping, with follow-up visits to check progress. We give you a realistic expectation after the first inspection. We always explain how long you can expect to see signs of activity, so you can judge whether the work is going well.
Is rat control safe for pets and children?
Yes. We use covered, tamper-resistant stations and place traps in protected spots. We tell you exactly where they are, explain what to watch for and collect equipment once the work is complete. Your household's safety is part of every plan. We also tell you how to keep bins, drains and storage areas in good order to reduce the chance of rats returning.
Where are the rats getting in?
Common routes include gaps around pipes, damaged airbricks, broken drains, loose roof edges and holes under outbuildings. Rats can squeeze through small openings, so we check carefully. Finding and closing these routes is what stops a repeat problem. Proofing a property properly often takes less time than people expect, and it can save a great deal of trouble later on.
Can you help if the problem is in my garden only?
Yes. Garden problems often come from burrows near compost, sheds or decking, and from food that is easy to reach. We deal with the burrows, advise on removing the attraction and check whether the rats are heading for your house. We check whether neighbouring areas could be involved too, and tell you what we recommend if shared drains are a factor.