Rats

Rats are natural in the environment around us and seeing an occasional rat is not an issue and may not require action.  However, if you see rats often and in significant numbers with associated run or holes, then there may be an issue that requires action.

Rats can cause a lot of damage to buildings by their constant gnawing of the building fabric, cables and pipes. This can lead to fires or water leaks. Rats also carry diseases that can be a risk to our health.

Legal responsibility to deal with rats 

All owners and occupiers have a legal duty to keep their property free from rats under Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949. 

Owner occupiers are responsible for dealing with rats on their land and inside buildings.  If you are renting, check your rental agreement and speak to your landlord about who is responsible.  Where rats or mice are inside your house, this indicates a structural problem and your landlord would normally be responsible. 

Many rat issues are associated with the drains and sewers.  Where the problem is within the public sewer, then Thames Water would be responsible, so please contact them directly on 0800 316 9800 or visit Thames Water.  Private drains are the responsibility of the property owner.

How to treat a rat problem

We recommend that you use a pest control company that is a member of the British Pest Control Association or the National Pest Technicians Association to survey your property and implement a suitable treatment programme and recommend proofing works. We do not provide a pest control treatment service.  if you decide to self-treat, you must follow the manufacturers instructions and prevent children and animals from accessing the bait. 

If rats or mice are inside your house, ensure that all access points (including any associated with the drains or sewers) are identified and sealed, otherwise the infestation is likely to return.  Treatment alone is not enough.  Land needs to be kept clear of potential food sources, nesting material and nesting sites.  Other recommendations include:

• While there is an active rat infestation, do not put out food for birds or other wildlife as this will provide a food source for the rats and mean they avoid any pest control treatments.
• Tidy gardens are less likely to attract rats as they provide less cover. Keep grass short, clear cluttered storage areas, remove rubbish and reduce overgrown areas, especially near fences or garden buildings.
• Avoid open composting. Avoid adding food scraps to compost bins and use the Council’s food waste collection service instead.
• Avoid storage of unwanted household items in the garden, including upholstered furniture, mattresses, carpets etc and arrange for their proper disposal. Please visit www.rushmoor.gov.uk for information on disposing of bulky items.
• Ensure that any animal enclosures are proofed against rat entry by sealing off any points of access, including at high level as rats will climb.  Ensure animal enclosures are cleaned out regularly and, where dogs are part of the household, that any faeces are removed from the garden regularly. Store any animal feed in sealed containers so it is not accessible to rats.  Only provide enough food for pets kept outdoors to eat in one day and remove any excess food overnight.

  Dealing with rats on a neighbouring property property 

  Successful treatment for rat activity relies on a co-ordinated approach between the owners and occupiers of neighbouring properties.  Please contact your neighbours directly about the problem and request they take steps to control rats on their land.   If rats are also on your land, you must also take steps to deal with the infestation.

  Reporting a rat problem

  Where there is a significant infestation, Environmental Health may be able to take further action.  We can investigate problems if:

   

  • You have seen rats frequently and/or there is significant evidence of an active infestation e.g. active burrows, runs, rat droppings, and
  • You think the rats are coming from a neighbouring property and you have already made attempts to resolve the problem directly with the landowner or occupier. You must also have already taken steps to deal with rats coming onto your own land.  
  • You live in a rented property and have already contacted your landlord but have been unable to resolve the problem within an appropriate timescale.
  • There are other environmental health factors impacting on the presence of rats, e.g. rubbish, upholstered furniture, animal faeces in the garden etc and you have already tried to resolve directly with your neighbour.

   

  Please contact Environmental Health for further advice or to report a rat problem.  Please provide full details of your complaint, including photographs and your contact details to environmental.health@rushmoor.gov.uk or 01252 398177.  We cannot investigate anonymous complaints or complaints made on behalf of other people.