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 handle rat control in Dartmouth for householders, landlords and businesses. Our aim is simple: find out how they are getting in, deal with them safely, and show you what to change so the problem is less likely to return.
Waterfront eateries and food waste
Anywhere that prepares food generates waste, and rats notice. Behind waterfront cafes and restaurants, shared bin areas, grease traps, delivery doorways and drains can all provide a steady supply. Rats are good swimmers and use drains and culverts as travel routes, so a problem on one side of a street can appear on the other.
For Dartmouth businesses we look at the whole waste chain: how bins are stored, how often they are emptied, whether lids close and whether drain covers are intact. We then treat with carefully placed bait and traps and give you a short, practical list of fixes for staff to follow day to day.
Cottages, steep streets and holiday lets
The older cottages and terraces climbing the hillsides here were built long before modern pest proofing. Stone walls, small gaps around pipes, loose airbricks and shared roof spaces give rats a way in, and a quiet, rarely used building makes an easy hiding place. Holiday lets can be particularly awkward because a problem can build up unnoticed between guests.
If you manage a let in Dartmouth, we can inspect between stays, deal with any activity and check the usual entry points. We use methods that keep pets, children and wildlife safe and we tell you where everything has been placed, so cleaners and guests are never caught out.
What to do before we arrive
Store food and waste in sealed containers, keep lids closed on outdoor bins, and avoid leaving pet food out overnight. In Dartmouth, note where you have seen droppings or heard noises, because it helps us focus. If you are in TQ6 and unsure whether it is rats, call us and describe what you have found. We also cover Brixham, Totnes and Salcombe, so we are rarely far away.
Frequently asked questions
Can rats get into holiday lets in Dartmouth when they are empty?
Yes. An unused property is quiet and undisturbed, which suits rats, and any gap in a wall, drain or roof gives them access. Regular checks between guests help you spot droppings, gnawing or smells early.
Why are there rats near the Dartmouth waterfront?
Harbour areas offer food waste, shelter in old walls and drains that act as travel routes. Rats go where meals are easy to find. Good bin storage, prompt clearing of scraps and sound drains all help limit activity.
Does rat treatment disturb customers in a cafe or restaurant?
We work discreetly and plan around your opening pattern. Bait and traps are placed in secured stations out of public view, away from food preparation areas. We explain exactly what has been done so your records are straightforward.