Keep away rats and other unwanted visitors from your home

As rats need access to food, water, and shelter, there are simple ways to keep your home clean and ensure it’s not a place where vermin will want to visit.

• Seal any entry points – firstly, check your home for any gaps or cracks around doors, windows or vents, particularly in the kitchen and toilet. Use a draught excluder on external doors, seal small gaps with caulk (available from DIY stores) and cover any larger gaps with wire mesh to prevent mice or rats from coming in and making themselves at home!
• Don’t give them a free meal – vermin are attracted to potential food sources, so make sure you don’t leave any food out in the kitchen for rodents to snack on. Use airtight containers to store food; always check that packaging is tightly sealed and clean up any spills and crumbs thoroughly.
• Spring clean – now is the perfect time for a spring clean to refresh your home and deter pests. Clutter such as rubbish bags, cardboard boxes and papers all offer potential nesting spots for pests, so have a good clear out and pay particular attention to hidden corners. Give storage areas, including your larder and kitchen cupboards, a thorough wipe down with disinfectant or antibacterial cleaner.
• Check outside areas too – don’t forget to remove rubbish, clutter or garden waste from your garden or balcony, as rats can make a home in untidy or overgrown outdoor spaces. Don’t use a bird feeder (even a suspended one), as this can entice rats to eat in your outdoor space.
• Empty your household bins regularly – ripped bin bags are often the first signs of rats, so make sure you put all your household waste into bin bags, tie securely and then place in your wheelie bin or inside the bin area in your block. Please don’t leave bags of household waste on the street.
• Check for leaks - pests will seek out damp areas, so it’s a good idea to check regularly for any leaking pipes and report a repair if needed. Not only can moisture attract pests, but it can also cause damage, so it’s vital to let us know if you have any issues that need fixing.

What to do if you have a pest infestation

If you notice rat faeces (which are dark, pellet-shaped and roughly the size of a raisin), gnaw marks or torn bin bags, or if you can hear scratching, gnawing or scuttling noises, it’s likely you have a pest problem. Contact the council’s Pest Control Service or call 023 8083 3005 (and choose option 4) to arrange a visit from our team of experts who will assess the situation and then help to manage and eliminate pests safely.

Once the pests have gone, it’s important to thoroughly clean your home to disinfect infested areas. Clean all surfaces including inside cupboards, worktops, and floors with disinfectant and wash any items and furniture that may also have been exposed.