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 help householders and businesses across the town and the EX11 postcode area, using careful treatment that keeps pets and children safe.
A town with a river, fields and plenty of bins
Rats follow water, cover and food, and Ottery St Mary offers all three. The riverside and surrounding fields provide places to burrow, while a busy town produces steady waste at shops, takeaways and homes. When conditions change, such as harvest, building work or flooding, rats often move toward buildings.
That is why a problem can seem to appear overnight. In truth, they have usually been nearby for a while and something has pushed them to move in. We try to identify that trigger as well as treating the rats you can see.
Older streets and newer estates
In the older part of Ottery St Mary, adjoining buildings, shared walls, old cellars and aged drains create hidden routes between properties. Treating one house may not be enough if neighbours have the same gaps, so we may suggest speaking with next door when we find shared access.
Newer estates have their own pattern. Gaps around service pipes, poorly sealed garage doors and gardens backing onto open land can all admit rats. Decking and sheds are favourite spots for burrows, so we check them when we walk round the outside.
What a visit involves
We begin with an inspection to confirm it is rats and to find the burrows and entry points. In Ottery St Mary we then set baiting or traps where they can be used safely, and we return to check results. Finally, we advise on proofing and housekeeping. We also cover Sidford, Whimple and Sidbury.
Frequently asked questions
I have seen a rat in my Ottery St Mary garden. Should I worry?
A single sighting does not always mean they are in the house, but it does mean they are nearby. Check bins, compost and any pet or wildlife food. If you see droppings or burrows, or hear noises indoors, get it inspected.
Do you deal with rats in shops and takeaways?
Yes. Food businesses need discreet, thorough work with careful placement and clear advice on waste and storage. We will explain what we find and what needs doing, so your business can carry on running sensibly.
Why do rats come into houses when it gets cold?
Warmth, shelter and food. A loft, wall cavity or floor void can be much more comfortable than a burrow in winter. Sealing gaps before the cold sets in is one of the most useful things you can do.