Rats are a genuinely common problem across London

The city’s extensive sewer network, combined with dense housing, gives rats easy routes into homes and gardens through drains, loose brickwork, and damaged floorboards. Because rats reproduce quickly and can carry disease, a rat problem is one pest issue we’d always recommend acting on immediately rather than waiting to see if it resolves on its own.

Signs of a rat infestation

• Droppings — larger than mouse droppings (roughly the size of a grain of rice, but noticeably bigger, dark brown to black, and tapered at the ends)

• Gnaw marks on wood, plastic, or cabling — rats’ teeth grow continuously, so they gnaw constantly to keep them worn down

• Burrows in gardens, near decking, sheds, or compost areas

• Greasy rub marks along skirting boards or beams, from rats repeatedly using the same route

• Scratching or movement sounds, particularly at night, in walls, under floors, or in lofts

• An unpleasant, ammonia-like smell in enclosed spaces where rats are nesting

Why rats need a different approach to mice

Rats are more cautious than mice, often take longer to accept new bait (a behaviour called neophobia), and typically require sturdier, outdoor-rated bait stations and a longer structured treatment period. Source investigation also matters more with rats — identifying whether they’re coming from a drain, a neighbouring garden, or a specific structural gap changes the whole treatment plan, which is why rat control is rarely a single-visit job.

Our Rat Control Process

1. Inspection and source investigation — identifying entry points, likely nesting areas, and the probable source of the infestation (drains, garden, adjoining property, structural damage).

2. Treatment — professional-grade rodenticide placed in tamper-resistant, weatherproof bait stations in confirmed activity areas, both indoors and outdoors where needed.

3. Structured multi-visit programme — rats typically require several visits over a period of weeks to fully resolve, since bait uptake is slower than with mice.

4. Proofing recommendations — identifying and, where instructed, sealing entry points to prevent repeat access once activity has stopped.

What does rat control cost in London?

Rat control in London typically starts from around £240–£270 for a standard property, and usually involves a structured programme of multiple visits rather than a single call-out, reflecting the extra time, specialist equipment, and monitoring rats require compared with mice. Costs rise for larger properties, gardens with active burrows, or where drain-related access needs investigating. We’ll give you a clear plan and price after the initial inspection.

Common in These London Areas

Rat activity is a frequent call-out across North East London (waterside and canal-adjacent gardens), East London (canal paths), and South East London (outer suburb gardens). Check your area page for local detail, or contact us directly.