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 →We provide rat control in Budleigh Salterton for homeowners, tenants and landlords. We explain what we have found in everyday words, keep the work tidy and leave you with advice you can actually use.
Why a quiet seaside town still gets rats
A peaceful setting does not keep rats away from Budleigh Salterton. They look for food, water and a warm, undisturbed place to nest, and any town with homes, gardens and bins can offer that. A seafront and a stretch of countryside close by give them routes in from several directions, often along hedges, drains and the back of garden fences.
Many homes here are well kept, which sometimes means a problem is spotted late, because the signs are tucked away in a loft, behind a boiler cupboard or under a garden shed. We check those hidden corners first, then look at how rats reached them.
Looking after an occupier who is worried
With a lot of retirement and family homes in the area, we know some householders are anxious about having rats in the house or are not able to climb into a loft themselves. We do the inspection for you, show you photos or evidence where that helps, and explain each step before we take it.
Treatment uses secured bait and traps placed where pets, grandchildren and visiting wildlife cannot get to them. In Budleigh Salterton we also try to make aftercare simple: a short list of repairs, a tidy-up of whatever is attracting rats, and a clear idea of when we will return to check.
Gardens, bins and what to change
In Budleigh Salterton, as elsewhere, rats are drawn by compost heaps, fruit left on the ground, seed feeders, hen food and bins without lids. Small changes, such as moving feeders, using closed compost bins and keeping gaps sealed, can lower the chance of a repeat. If you live in EX9 and want a second opinion, we are happy to look. We also cover Exmouth, Sidmouth and Topsham.
Frequently asked questions
I am elderly and cannot get into my loft. Can you still help?
Yes. We carry out the inspection ourselves, tell you what we find and explain the plan before beginning. You do not need to move anything heavy or climb up. Tell us about any mobility concerns when you call.
Will rat treatment affect my garden hedgehogs or other wildlife?
We use secured bait stations and place them so other animals cannot reach the bait. Tell us what wildlife visits your garden and we will take extra care with positioning. We also advise on feeding habits that reduce attraction for rats.
Do rats bite or spread germs in the home?
Rats can spread germs through droppings and urine and may bite if cornered. Avoid touching droppings with bare hands, keep food covered and keep children and pets away from affected areas until we have treated them.