How to Identify & Get Rid of Rats
Author:
Mosh Latifi
Co-Owner of Ecocare
Published:
Nov 27, 2025
Getting rid of rats quickly matters because a growing rat infestation brings property damage, food contamination and health concerns. Many London households struggle when rat activity spreads through lofts, kitchens and outdoor areas, making daily living uncomfortable. EcoCare PestControl Management supports homes and businesses with BPCA-certified rat control services designed to stop the problem fast and help you get rid of rodents for good.
This guide explains how to identify wild rats, understand their habits and control their access points before the problem escalates. You’ll learn how to recognise early warning signs, prevent rats from entering, deter them using safer methods and maintain a cleaner environment that disrupts their habitat. By following each step, identification, prevention, deterrence, eradication and long-term maintenance, you can protect your property and reduce the risk of recurring rat activity in any area of your home or workplace.
Table of Content
Rat Facts & Information
Size: Norway rat 20–25 cm body length; black rat slightly smaller.
Wings: None.
Colour: Brown, grey or black.
Diet: Any accessible food, including grains, fruit and waste.
Shape: Long body, pointed snout and a scaly tail.
Behaviour: Nocturnal, constant chewing, active nest builders.
Other features: Creates burrows and tunnels, leaves oily smudge marks and produces a strong ammonia smell.
How to Identify Rats
Several rat species appear across London and Surrey, with the Norway rat and the black rat being the most common. These wild rats adapt to almost any environment, living in walls, basements, loft insulation, gardens and commercial premises. Their life cycle moves quickly: females can produce litters every few weeks, meaning a small rat infestation becomes established fast if left unmanaged.
Rats enter a property in search of food, warmth and shelter. Poor waste handling, clutter, leaking pipes and unsealed gaps all encourage rat activity. They travel along walls, through broken vents, under doors and through cracked brickwork. Once inside, they build nests using cardboard, fabric and shredded material.
Infestations occur when accessible food sources mix with structural weaknesses. Damaged drains, unsecured entry points and outdoor waste piles attract these rodents from surrounding areas. Understanding what attracts them, and how quickly they form colonies, allows you to approach rat control more effectively and prevent future entry.
Identifying the Infestation: Signs to Look For
You may notice rat droppings, smudge marks, gnawed holes or chewed electrical cords. Fresh piles of droppings and a strong musky or ammonia smell indicate active rat activity. Scratching noises behind walls or in the loft often occur at night as rodents move, feed and explore new gaps. Outdoor burrows and tunnels around sheds, soil or decking also point to a growing rat infestation.
Look for shredded nesting material, rat urine, damaged food packaging and greasy trails along skirting boards. The more signs you detect, the more likely it is that the colony has spread across multiple areas of your property.
Preventative Strategies: Stop Rats Before They Start
To prevent rats, keep all food sealed in pest-proof containers, metal bins or secure cupboards. Sweep up spills quickly and remove pet food overnight. Fix leaks to eliminate water sources, wipe surfaces daily and maintain a clean environment. Outdoors, trim vegetation, clear debris and avoid leaving rubbish bags in accessible areas.
Next, block entry points. Seal gaps in walls and fill holes with steel wool, hardware cloth, metal screening or copper mesh. Check vents, doors and pipe openings frequently. Rats rely on very small spaces to access a property, so sealing every gap reduces activity and helps stop infestations from returning.
Natural Deterrents: Safe, Non-Chemical Repellents
Natural options help prevent fresh rat activity and make it easier to manage rodents without relying heavily on toxic products. Strong scents discourage wild rats from settling in an area. Peppermint oil, dried mint and cinnamon powder work well around entry points, cupboards and sheds. Homeowners often use vinegar sprays along skirting boards to reduce rodent movement.
Cedar blocks, herbal sachets and spicy birdseed placed in cluttered spaces can provide additional barriers. Ultrasound repellers may offer light support, although effectiveness varies. These methods will not eliminate an active rat infestation, but they reduce nesting behaviour and attract fewer rodents when combined with strict food hygiene and regular cleaning to remove access to food.
How to Get Rid of Rats
When you need to get rid of an active colony, combine several rat-removal techniques. Start by clearing rat nests, rubbish piles and old food sources to expose hidden areas. Use traps with care, selecting the right type for each location. Snap traps, spring traps, live traps, cage traps, glue traps and electronic traps all work differently, so match the method to the severity of the infestation.
Modern bait stations containing approved rat baits or rodenticides can help, but handle them securely and follow the label instructions to avoid contaminating food or harming pets. Some homeowners freeze contaminated items, vacuum droppings and seal gnawed holes immediately after cleaning. EcoCare’s BPCA-certified team uses advanced tools and safe pest-control techniques to clear infestations effectively and restore a cleaner environment.
Integrated Pest Management: Combining Techniques
An integrated rat control approach reduces long-term risks by combining cleaning, baiting, sealing, monitoring and professional support. First, block entry points and seal gaps using steel wool, hardware cloth, copper mesh or metal screening. Next, improve hygiene by removing clutter, securing pet food and storing groceries in pest-proof containers.
Inspection, trapping and continuous prevention form the core of this method. EcoCare PestControl Management offers rat control services across London and Surrey, carrying out full assessments and tailored long-term plans. Their technicians handle serious rodent cases when DIY efforts can’t fully get rid of rats.
Unique Tips & Homeowner Insights
Regular habits help prevent recurring rat activity. Sweep floors daily, wipe surfaces and store all food in sealed containers. Outdoors, trim vegetation, clear wood piles and maintain a tidy garden. Avoid leaving bags of waste near sheds or garage doors, and secure rubbish bins with tight lids.
To stay in control, check entry points weekly and listen for scratching noises in the loft or walls. Keep a torch and gloves ready for quick inspections. Reducing clutter in every area limits hiding spots and lowers the chance of another rat infestation.
Quick Takeaways
Seal gaps and block entry points using steel mesh and hardware materials.
Remove food sources and store groceries in secure containers.
Set traps or use approved bait stations for active infestations.
Trim vegetation and keep the outdoor environment clean.
Contact professional rat control services for severe or recurring problems.
Long-Term Rat Control & Prevention
Long-term success requires layered, consistent rat prevention. Natural deterrents help limit early rat activity, while targeted trapping and baiting methods get rid of rats already inside. The most reliable way to stop a growing infestation is to improve hygiene routines, secure every area where rodents hide and strengthen food storage to reduce contamination risks.
EcoCare PestControl Management supports this process with comprehensive, eco-conscious services built around inspections, tailored plans and modern pest-control techniques. Their BPCA-certified technicians are trained to work in any environment, applying control measures that prevent rodents from returning. By combining cleaning, sealing, trapping and expert support, homeowners regain confidence and reduce long-term property damage. With steady maintenance and ongoing checks, you can get rid of rats more effectively and maintain a safer, cleaner living environment.
