Lifting the lid on Rats…
When we are called to the customers complaint regardless of the pest first and foremost is the site inspection. A full site inspection is so important.
Just to arrive on site, listen to where the customer says they have seen issues and to treat mindlessly is not the correct approach. We as Professional Pest Controllers should always carry out a full and thorough survey along side the information provided by the customer, After all we have been called in to solve the problem.
I have been in the industry for over 30 years and have accrued a little bit of knowledge over my time both in the Pest Control and Drainage aspects with the certification to confirm. As part of my initial survey when dealing with a rat issue where possible i always lift the inspection chamber lid or manhole cover within the property boundary and with authorisation I will also attempt to inspect neighbouring drainage if I suspect it will aid in my works going forward.
Rats being noted in the garden of a property repeatedly could originate from several possible locations, Under a shed, a composter, a disused garage or from a defective drain.
Recently I was called to a complaint of rats in the rear gardens of several properties. The properties were very well kept, gardens immaculate, no clutter…. but rats were seen every day in numbers.
The customers were not bird feeders, the bins were stored and closed correctly, there was no pet food left out externally yet the rats were noted to be strolling from garden to garden. Previous attempts had been carried out to control the issue but the rats just kept returning.





On my site inspection I noticed that there was a inspection chamber located between two extensions. What drew my attention was the fact that the surface water downpipe was incorrectly piped into the chamber from the surface. Closer inspection showed there was a small gap leading under the extension.
Upon lifting of the chamber lid it became obvious where the repeated rat issue was coming from. The rats had literally gnawed through the chamber base and exited into the gardens through the small gap under the extension. Once compromised they just made it back quick sharp to the drainage system.
As the drainage was ‘Shared’ it is a local water authority asset so in this instance all information was passed on through to their surveying department to carry out their own inspection and for them to correct, but the fact remains the source of the issue was identified and there was no need to place rodenticide baits externally above ground.
Sewer baiting was carried out, tied off and pushed into the areas where the rats had gnawed causing damage to the channel walls but that was as far is rodenticidal treatments were undertaken.
** On my revisit to inspect after the local water authority had carried out their CCTV inspection it came to light that there were several other defects noted and major repair works were required to correct all of the defects found. This would be at not charge to the home owners as the drainage is a shared issue and the responsibility to the LWA.
So.. It just goes to show the importance of a full and thorough site inspection.. Lift those lids.