Priority when dealing with a rat issue, infestation is locating the point of entry. Sometimes this can be obvious, like a hole in the wall or a broken air brick, other times a bit more of a investigation is required.

It is estimated that a 90% of rat infestations within the domestic property arise from drainage issues of some description, weather is be a broken base of a soil vent pipe allowing access into the cavity was, to top section of a rocker gully not sitting tight or in this case rats taking advantage of a material change and a gnawing point of a ‘flexipan’ connector.

After being called to Armthorpe, Doncaster to a customer who for several weeks has noticed strange things in the home in the mornings different from when she went to bed. Apparently a entire pack of Jammy dodgers (Other jam filled biscuits are available) went missing one night followed by most of a Wholenut bar the following night. Somethings got a sweet tooth, and a risk of type 2 diabetes if not careful.

The property is in excellent condition, well looked after and the owner extremely house proud. Inspection showed there were no obvious points of entry, a full site survey showed no droppings or evidence of rodents be it mice or rats. A loft inspection also confirmed no activity, obvious odours or runs.

The target pest knew exactly where to head to, knew where a food source was and knew how to get back without a trace, however there was no water access, no pet water bowls, no plants where soil had been disturbed, nothing obvious. Except the downstairs rest room had a concertina door which unless closed purposely was left open to a extent, the pan lid was weighted and according to the customer was never left up so this couldn’t be the source.. or could it.

There was no odour of drain but the room had several deodorizer’s which successfully masked smells. Removal of a side section of boxing and there we go, point of entry confirmed. The problem being, rats are a creature of habit, so to just replace the flexipan connector would last all of single night before the rats chew back in. Each to their own and a plumber was contacted to replace the fitting to a more solid section of pipework.

No need for rodenticides, where would you place it anyway..? unless the baits had a high sugar content the chances are this rat wouldn’t be interested anyway, it likes jammy dodgers remember. There was no obvious access into the drainage system, i suspect the inspection chamber has been covered over, location unknown so a non-return valve could not be fitted.

So while we wait for the plumbers attention in a few days several good old fashioned snap traps placed along the to and from route in the restroom only. If the rats trap shy or neophobic then it will not pass the trap line anyway, if it does.. well, it’ll need more than a painkiller for its impending headache.

No baits, no repeat visits, no further costs and one satisfied customer. All by carrying out a full site survey.