How to get rid of rats in drains

London’s sewer network is vast and spans more than 100 miles, therefore it is an ideal harbourage location for the thousands of rats in London. During the covid-19 lockdown, there was a reduction in waste collections and pest control services in London. As a result, Mercury Pest Control saw a significant increase in emergency pest control callouts for domestic rat control in London. From our local borough of Wandsworth to Westminster, central London there’s not an area rats haven’t been breaching our drains. If you think you have rats in your drains contact us today for a free consultation 

Signs of rats in drains

• Blocked drains
• Sewage smell
• Dead rat in drain pipe
• Overflowing rain gully’s
• Gnawing and squealing in wall cavities
• Drain flies
• Rat droppings and ammonia smells
• Gnawed flexi pipes at the back of your toilet
• Leaking pipes

Common questions about rats in London’s drain network

Who is responsible for rats in drains?
We all have our role to play in preventing rats in drains in London. For example, if the rats are a result of a defect or blockage in your drain then any repairs or rat control treatments are your responsibility. On the other hand, the issue could be with a main sewer or a shared drainage system. If this is the case, Thames Water is responsible for dealing with any repairs and will ensure that baiting is conducted. See the Thames Water website for further information.

How can I prevent rats in my drains?
Rats in London can travel between buildings via the interconnected drain network. There are some proactive actions you can take to prevent rats entering your drains:

• • Pest survey to identify any rats in your drains and install preventative measures
  • Drain survey before purchasing a property
  • Replacing plastic rain gully covers with cast iron covers, see picture for an example of a rain gully gnawed by a rat
  • Sealing off redundant pipes

How long will it take to eradicate rats in my drains?
Eradicating a rat infestation is not always a quick fix, for example it depends on the size and the scale of the problem and of course, how long it has been an issue. On average our rat treatments consist of 3 – 4 visits over the course of 2- 3 weeks.

Are your methods safe for children and pets?
Yes, your safety is our number one priority and a full risk and COSHH assessment will be carried out upon our initial visit. All traps will be safely applied out of reach to any children and pets onsite.

Will I get bad smells from the rat treatment?
Many rat control treatments which are focussed on applying a significant amount of rodenticide on the first visit can result in bad smells as a result of deceased rats in wall cavities and inaccessible locations. At Mercury Pest Control we do not believe in applying rodenticide in homes on the first visit without using traps first. Our tried and tested approaches to rat control will eradicate rat issues in your home or business with minimal risk of smell.

Can rats climb up a toilet?
It is possible for rats to climb up a toilet but it is not as common as you may think! Rats will prefer to gain entry underneath a property, or in wall cavities.

Can I get rats in my drains if I live in a new build property?
Yes, rats can enter most properties. New build properties often have plastic pipework which can be easily gnawed.

Can I get rats in my drains if I am living in an upstairs flat?
Rats are less common in upstairs flats, however they can climb up pipes and for that reason they can enter drains in an upstairs flat.

At Mercury Pest control we offer a professional pest service to get rid of rats in your drain

• • Monitoring and control of drainage network
  • Rat control treatments and expert trapping methods
  • Detailed treatment reporting
  • Expert pest consultancy
  • Long-term solutions

If you think you have rats in your property in London, contact us today for a free consultation