How Rats Get Into Homes: Common Entry Points

Rats do not need much of an invitation. A gap, a damaged pipe or a bit of loose brickwork is often enough, and once one gets in, others tend to follow the same route. Knowing where rats usually get into a property makes it far easier to spot the weak points and close them off before a problem starts.

Why rats find their way in

Rats are looking for food, warmth and shelter. They are strong climbers, good swimmers and can gnaw through many common building materials, including plastic, soft metals and old mortar. They also remember routes, so a path that worked once will be used again and again. The aim of prevention is to take away the routes and to make the property less appealing in the first place.

Drains and the sewer system

Drains are one of the most common ways in. Rats live in and travel along sewers, and a cracked, collapsed or poorly sealed pipe gives them a direct line to your garden or even under the floor. Signs include gurgling, bad smells, a hole or hollow in the soil near a drain run, and rats seen coming and going near manholes.

Unused drains, broken inspection chamber covers and gaps where a pipe passes through a wall are all worth checking. If the problem is the sewer itself, rat blockers can be fitted, which we quote for separately because every drain run is different.

Gaps around the building

Walk around the outside of the house and look low down as well as up high. Rats do not need a large hole.

• Air bricks with damaged or missing covers
• Gaps where pipes, cables and vents pass through the wall
• Cracks in the foundation or crumbling mortar near ground level
• Gaps under or around doors, particularly garage and shed doors
• Loose or missing roof tiles, and broken soffits, fascias or eaves
• Holes in airing-brick vents and gaps behind boilers or extractor fans

Garden features that attract them

What is outside often decides whether rats come near the house at all. Compost heaps, overgrown borders, piles of wood and clutter stacked against walls give cover and nesting sites. Space under decking and sheds is a favourite, and burrows are often found at the edges of these areas.

Food matters most. Bird feeders that drop seed, uncovered food waste, pet food left out overnight and bins with loose lids all provide an easy meal. Moving feeders, using lidded bins and clearing spilled seed daily can make a noticeable difference.

How to check your own property

1. Walk around the outside in daylight and look for holes, gnaw marks, smears along walls and burrows.
2. Check the garage, shed and any outbuildings, including the base of the doors.
3. Look under the sink and around the boiler for gaps where pipes enter the walls.
4. Go into the loft with a torch and look for droppings, nesting material and chewed insulation or cables.
5. Make a note of anything you find, with photos, so it can be pointed out to a technician.

Closing the gaps properly

Filling a hole with foam or newspaper does not stop a rat. Proofing needs hard-wearing materials that cannot be chewed through, fitted so that they stay in place. It is also worth treating an active infestation first, so that rats are not sealed inside the building.

Our rat control treatment is £240 for a flat or £280 for a house with a 3-month guarantee on the treatment, and rat proofing is the same price. The two together are £380 for a flat or £460 for a house, saving £100 compared with booking them separately, and the package also carries a 3-month guarantee.

If you suspect rats are getting in, call 01245 830842. We are based in Chelmsford, cover Essex, and our technicians are fully insured.

Frequently asked questions