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 →Our approach is simple: find out where they are getting in, deal with them in a safe and controlled way, then close up the building so the problem does not simply return.
Why older seaside buildings suit rats
Sidmouth is a seaside town with many older houses, guest accommodation and retirement homes, and that mix matters. Older brickwork, worn pipe entries, cracked airbricks and gaps around old drains are all routes a rat can use. Rats only need a hole about the size of a large coin, and they will gnaw at timber, cables and pipes to widen it.
Places that serve or store food add to the pull. Guest houses and cafes produce a lot of waste, and a bin that is overfull or left open overnight is an easy meal. At home, the usual draws are food waste, compost heaps, pet food left out and feed put out for wildlife.
Signs you have rats rather than mice
Rat droppings are larger than mouse droppings, dark and blunt at the ends. You may also see greasy marks along walls and skirting where they run, gnaw marks on wood, chewed cable or pipe, and disturbed insulation. Scratching in the loft or under floors, particularly at night, is one of the most common reasons people in Sidmouth call us.
Outside, look for burrows near sheds, decking, compost bins and the base of walls, and for runs through longer grass. If you can see these signs, it is worth acting early. Rats breed quickly, and a few can become many if the food and shelter stay available.
What we do on the job
We start with an inspection inside and out to find the activity and the entry points. Baiting and trapping are then used in a controlled way, placed so that pets, children and other wildlife are kept safe. We also advise on sealing gaps and removing whatever is attracting rats. Along with Sidmouth, we also cover Sidford, Sidbury and Budleigh Salterton.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if the noise in my Sidmouth loft is rats?
Heavy scratching, thumping or gnawing at night often points to rats, while lighter scurrying can be mice. Droppings, gnawed wood and disturbed insulation help confirm it. An inspection will tell you for certain what you have and where it is getting in.
Is it safe to have rat treatment with pets in the house?
Yes. We place bait and traps in ways that keep pets and children out of reach, and we explain exactly where everything is. If you have dogs, cats or small animals, tell us at the start so we can plan around them.
Can rats come up through old drains?
They can, where a drain is cracked, broken or missing a cover. If we suspect the drains, we will say so and explain what needs checking or repairing, since sealing the building alone will not help if the way in is underground.