What to look for
Common signs of a problem
- Larger dark droppings around sheds, cupboards or lofts
- Scratching or movement in walls, ceilings and roof spaces
- Gnaw marks, damaged packaging or burrows outside
- Greasy rub marks or a persistent musky smell
Professional local help
Rat Control
Rats can move through drains, wall cavities, garages, gardens and roof spaces. We look beyond the immediate sighting to understand where they are travelling, what is attracting them and how they may be entering the property.
How we help
A careful, practical approach
- 1
Inspect the affected areas, external environment and likely routes
- 2
Use FLIR thermal imaging where helpful to investigate possible rat heat patterns in walls, beneath floors and loft spaces
- 3
Position motion-activated night-vision cameras where overnight loft monitoring can help confirm activity and movement routes
- 4
Choose a targeted treatment appropriate to the site
- 5
Advise on drains, proofing, hygiene and longer-term prevention
Prevention and aftercare
Helping reduce the chance of a return
Seal suitable gaps once activity has been controlled, keep food in secure containers, tidy external harbourage and avoid leaving accessible pet or bird food overnight.
Real local work in Sutton Coldfield
Rats chewed through a door frame to gain entry
At this Sutton Coldfield rental property, rats had enlarged a vulnerable area at the bottom of the timber door frame and used it as a direct route into the building. The chewed edges and opening were identified during the investigation.
This is why effective rat control is never only about traps or bait. The entry point, the reason it developed and any connected routes through the building must be understood. Treatment and suitable repairs can then work together to resolve the current activity and reduce the chance of the same route being used again.
Not every reported rat is a rat
Meet Harry Houdini the hamster
We were called to a shop after staff reported what they believed was a rat inside the premises. When we arrived, the unexpected visitor turned out to be this very friendly little hamster, who came straight out to greet us.
Harry was safely collected in a box rather than treated as a pest. He came home with us, was adopted into the Hull family and given the very fitting name Harry Houdini. He is now a much-loved new member of the family.
Harry has settled into his spacious new home—and the family dog is completely fascinated by him, happily sitting at a safe distance and watching him for hours.
What began as a routine call-out became a rather expensive rescue, but Harry is worth every penny and a wonderful addition to the family.
It is a memorable reminder that correct identification must always come before treatment. What somebody reports over the telephone may be very different from what we find when we inspect the site properly.
Real Hulls thermal evidence
Rodent heat patterns found in a loft
These genuine images were captured with our thermal equipment during rodent investigations. FLIR can provide valuable clues before an area is disturbed or opened.
Other pest services
More ways we can help
Not sure what the pest is? Send a clear photo or short video on WhatsApp for free initial identification advice.
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