About rats in Essex homes
Drains, outbuildings, gardens, bins and spilled food give rats everything they need. Once inside, they gnaw cables and pipes, contaminate food and breed quickly, so early treatment keeps damage down and stops the problem spreading.
Signs of rats
- Droppings about 1–2cm long, often in cupboards, lofts or behind appliances
- Scratching or scurrying noises in walls, ceilings or under floors at night
- Gnawed cables, pipes, food packaging or skirting boards
- Burrows near sheds, decking, compost bins or walls
- Greasy smear marks along walls and a strong ammonia smell
How we treat rats
- Full inspection of the property, drains and garden to find entry points
- Tamper-proof bait stations or traps placed safely away from children and pets
- Follow-up visits to check activity and remove any rats if needed
- We offer free advice on proofing and prevention, and an affordable proofing service to block gaps and entry points
Rat Control prices
Rat Control
Gets rid of the rats in your home
Treatment includes a 3-month guarantee.
Rat Proofing
Stops rats getting back in
We seal the gaps around pipes, under kickboards, cable runs and floor voids that rats use to move in and out.
Book either service on its own, or book both together and save £100.
No VAT to add: the price you see is the price you pay.
Rat treatment + proofing package
Book rat control and rat proofing together and save £100, with a 3-month guarantee included. If rats get back in within 3 months, we'll come back and sort it.
* Package does not include rat blockers fitted in the sewer system.
🎉 £50 off a second pest treatment on the same visit
Need two different pests treated? When both treatments are carried out on the same visit, you save £50 on the second one.
Quote code TWOPESTS when you book.
Rat Control: 5 frequently asked questions
How long does rat treatment take?
Most homes are rat-free within 2–3 weeks. Our price includes the initial visit and follow-ups over that period.
Is rat treatment safe for my pets?
Yes. We use locked, tamper-resistant bait boxes and place them where pets and children can't reach them.
Is there a guarantee?
Yes. Our treatment comes with a 3-month guarantee, whether you book it on its own or as part of the treatment + proofing package. If rats come back within 3 months, call us and we'll come back and sort it.
Can you stop rats coming back?
Yes. We find out how they got in, often a broken drain, air brick or gap around pipes, and we offer free advice on proofing and prevention, and an affordable proofing service to block gaps and entry points.
What attracts rats to my home?
Food waste, bird feeders, compost bins and pet food all attract rats, while broken drains and gaps around pipes give them an easy way in.
Dangers of rats: 5 reasons to get them treated
- Rats spread diseases such as Weil's disease (leptospirosis) and salmonella through their urine and droppings.
- They gnaw through electrical cables, which can cause fires.
- They damage pipes, insulation, timber and stored belongings.
- They contaminate food, worktops and kitchen cupboards.
- Rats breed quickly, so a small problem can soon become a large infestation.
5 interesting facts about rats
- A rat's front teeth never stop growing, which is why they gnaw constantly.
- Rats can squeeze through gaps of around 2cm.
- Rats are strong swimmers and can travel through drains and sewer pipes.
- A female rat can have several litters a year, each with up to a dozen young.
- The brown rat is also called the Norway rat, although it most likely came from Asia.
Rat Control near you
We provide rat control across Essex. Choose your town for local information:
- Rat Control Barking
- Rat Control Basildon
- Rat Control Benfleet
- Rat Control Billericay
- Rat Control Braintree
- Rat Control Brentwood
- Rat Control Canvey Island
- Rat Control Chelmsford
- Rat Control Chigwell
- Rat Control Clacton-on-Sea
- Rat Control Colchester
- Rat Control Dagenham
- Rat Control Epping
- Rat Control Grays
- Rat Control Great Dunmow
- Rat Control Halstead
- Rat Control Harlow
- Rat Control Hockley
- Rat Control Hornchurch
- Rat Control Ingatestone
- Rat Control Leigh-on-Sea
- Rat Control Loughton
- Rat Control Maldon
- Rat Control Rochford
- Rat Control Romford
- Rat Control Saffron Walden
- Rat Control South Woodham Ferrers
- Rat Control Southend-on-Sea
- Rat Control Stanford-le-Hope
- Rat Control Thurrock
- Rat Control Upminster
- Rat Control Waltham Abbey
- Rat Control Westcliff-on-Sea
- Rat Control Wickford
- Rat Control Witham
- Rat Control Woodford Green
Rat Control advice and guides
How to Tell if You Have Rats: Signs, Sounds and Droppings
Droppings, scratching, gnawed cables and greasy marks: how to tell rats from mice and what to do when you spot the signs.
Read the guide →Rat ControlHow to Get Rid of Rats in Your Home and Garden
What genuinely helps when rats move in, why home remedies fall short, and how a proper professional approach works.
Read the guide →Rat ControlWhy Rats Keep Coming Back and How to Stop Them
If rats come back after you thought they were gone, the cause is usually something missed. Here is where to look.
Read the guide →Rat ControlAre Rats Dangerous? Health Risks and Damage Explained
Rats can contaminate food, spread illness and damage wiring and structures. Here is what the risks really are and how to reduce them.
Read the guide →Rat ControlRat Proofing Your Home: Where Rats Get In
From gaps around pipes to damaged drains and roof edges, here is where rats commonly get into a property and how to check.
Read the guide →