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 owners, residents and letting managers in Shaldon with careful rat control. We find the cause, treat the problem safely and explain what to change.
Older cottages and quiet spaces
Shaldon is a village on the south side of the Teign estuary, opposite Teignmouth, with older cottages, holiday lets and a village centre. Older cottages often have thick walls, voids, stone or brick that has shifted over time, and pipes entering at awkward angles. All of these make easy entry for a determined rat.
Because rats are most active at night and tend to hide in roof spaces and under floors, many owners first notice a problem by sound or a smell. If you notice either, have it looked at promptly, since rats can damage cables, pipes and insulation.
Holiday lets and empty weeks
A holiday let that is empty for part of the week or the season can go unchecked for long stretches. Rats take advantage of the quiet and the warmth. A short routine inspection of lofts, outbuildings and bin areas between stays can catch signs early.
If you manage lets in Shaldon, we can inspect, treat any activity and suggest changes, such as sealing gaps and securing waste, that suit a property with guests coming and going. We keep the work tidy and explain exactly what we have done.
Estuary edges and gardens
Gardens close to the estuary and the village edges give rats burrow sites, compost and cover. We examine both the building and the garden, and then use baiting and trapping safely, away from pets and children. We cover Shaldon on the TQ14 postcode, and we also cover Teignmouth, Newton Abbot and Maidencombe. Get in touch if you have any concerns.
Frequently asked questions
Are rats common in old cottages like those in Shaldon?
Older buildings often have more gaps, voids and ageing pipework, which gives rats more routes in. It does not mean a home is poorly kept. A proper inspection finds where they get in so those routes can be sealed.
I own a holiday let in Shaldon. How often should I check?
Look between every stay if you can, checking bins, outbuildings, lofts and under sinks. Signs include droppings, gnawing and disturbed food stores. If you find anything, get it looked at before the next guests arrive.
Do you work in tight village lanes?
Yes. We plan access in advance, and we will talk through parking and timing with you where lanes are narrow. Tell us about any access difficulties when you contact us.