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 carry out rat control in Maidencombe for residents, landlords and holiday let owners. We aim to keep things clear and unfussy: a proper inspection, a straightforward explanation and a treatment that suits your property.
Bigger houses mean more places to hide
Larger homes tend to have more roof space, more outbuildings, garages, cellars and utility rooms. Each of these is a potential hiding place, and rooms that are not used daily may go unchecked for weeks. A rat can set up in a rarely visited garage and spend its time travelling between there and the kitchen.
On a visit to a Maidencombe home we work through the whole property, inside and out. We look at lofts, under-floor areas, outbuildings and the garden, find the places where rats are active and decide where to concentrate bait or traps. Everything is positioned so that pets and children cannot reach it.
Holiday lets and empty periods
Holiday accommodation in Maidencombe can sit unused for stretches, and rats appreciate peace and quiet. Stored food, bin stores and gaps around service pipes are the usual attractions. Because guests often leave food waste outside or overfill bins, a rat problem can build up quickly during busy weeks too.
If you manage a let here, we can set up a routine of checks and help you identify entry points to seal. We also give simple guidance for guests and cleaners, such as keeping bin lids closed and not leaving food out, which cuts down on the things that attract rats.
Fields, hedges and gardens
Open fields close to Maidencombe mean hedgerows, ditches and field margins, all good cover for rats. When gardens in TQ1 offer fallen fruit, compost or seed feeders, rats are drawn in towards the buildings. We look at the boundary of your plot as well as the house. We also cover Torquay, Shaldon and Teignmouth if you have another address nearby.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell whether rats are in my Maidencombe loft?
Listen for scratching or thumping at night, and look for droppings, gnawed wood or cables and disturbed insulation. Rat droppings are larger than those of mice. If you are unsure, we can inspect the roof space and confirm.
Do you treat outbuildings and garages as well as the house?
Yes. Garages, sheds, stores and cellars are often where rats first settle. We check every building on the plot, because treating only the house while leaving a shed untouched seldom solves the problem.
Can I help prevent rats at my holiday let?
Yes. Keep bin lids shut, clear food waste promptly, store dry food in sealed containers and repair gaps around pipes and doors. Regular walk-rounds between guests help you notice early signs before they become a bigger problem.