How to Prevent Rats and Reduce the Risk of Infestation
Updated: Oct 24
Practical ways to prevent rats and reduce the risk of infestation, including food control, rodent proofing, drainage, harbourage reduction and early monitoring.
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Preventing rats is generally more effective than trying to control an established infestation. The most effective approach is to make a property less attractive to rats by limiting access to food, water and shelter, while also preventing access to buildings where possible. UK guidance recommends combining good hygiene, environmental management, physical barriers and other appropriate control measures as part of an integrated approach to rodent control.
Remove or secure sources of food
To reduce access to food:
Store food and animal feed in secure, rodent-resistant containers.
Clean up food spills promptly.
Keep waste in suitable containers with secure lids.
Do not allow food waste to accumulate around buildings.
Manage pet food carefully and avoid leaving it accessible overnight.
If feeding wild birds, take steps to minimise spilled or uneaten food that could be accessed by rats.
Keep food storage and preparation areas clean and free from accessible food residues.
CRRU guidance specifically recommends removing obvious food sources, such as spilled grain, where possible and covering food sources to reduce their availability to rodents.
Reduce shelter and harbourage
Rats need places where they can hide, nest and move without being disturbed. Overgrown vegetation, accumulated rubbish and other areas of cover can provide suitable harbourage.
Reduce these opportunities by:
Keeping gardens, yards and areas around buildings reasonably tidy.
Removing unnecessary piles of rubbish, timber, building materials and other debris.
Managing vegetation where it provides cover close to buildings.
Keeping storage areas organised and allowing access for inspection.
Maintaining composting areas appropriately and preventing rats from accessing food waste within them.
Reducing harbourage does not necessarily mean removing all vegetation or wildlife habitat. The aim is to identify and manage areas that provide particularly suitable shelter close to buildings or food sources.
Prevent rats entering buildings
Buildings should be inspected regularly for potential entry points.
Pay particular attention to:
Gaps around doors and windows.
Damaged brickwork or masonry.
Openings around pipes, cables and other services.
Damaged air vents or other openings in external walls.
Gaps around drains and drainage infrastructure.
Broken or missing drain covers.
Openings beneath doors and around outbuildings.
Where defects are identified, they should be repaired using materials and methods appropriate for preventing rodent access.
Proofing is particularly important because controlling an infestation without addressing the route by which rats are entering can result in reinfestation.
Maintain drains and drainage systems
Rats can use drainage and sewer systems as routes to and from properties. Damaged drains, defective connections and other drainage problems can therefore contribute to rodent infestations.
Where appropriate, drainage systems should be inspected and defects repaired. Drain covers should be maintained and properly fitted, and redundant or unnecessary openings should be securely closed.
For properties where rats are repeatedly entering from the drainage system, specialist investigation may be necessary to identify the source and route of access. Fit a rat drain blocker, insert the one-way valve device into the outgoing drain pipe inside your inspection chamber, ensuring the directional arrow points toward the sewer flow.
Manage water sources
Accessible water can also support rat populations. Where practicable:
Repair leaking pipes and taps.
Avoid leaving containers of standing water accessible to rats.
Maintain drainage so that water does not accumulate unnecessarily.
Consider water sources when investigating persistent rodent activity.
Food, water and shelter should be considered together when assessing why rats are present.
Monitor for signs of activity
Regular inspection can help identify rodent activity before an infestation becomes established. Look for droppings, gnawing, burrows, nesting material, greasy marks, tracks and other signs around buildings, storage areas, waste facilities and food sources.
Early identification allows the underlying conditions supporting the infestation to be addressed promptly.
Prevention is part of effective rodent control
No single prevention measure is guaranteed to prevent rats. Effective rodent management usually requires several measures to be considered together.
Where rats are already present, environmental improvements such as reducing food sources, removing harbourage and repairing access points should form part of the wider control programme. Rodenticide should not be regarded as a substitute for good hygiene, proofing and environmental management.
The Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) UK Code of Best Practice recommends a planned approach that considers environmental changes, rodent proofing, removal of food sources and other measures alongside any necessary rodenticide treatment.
About PGM Pest Control
PGM Pest Control is an award-winning, family-run pest control company providing professional pest management throughout Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Our BPCA-accredited team provides practical, responsible solutions for domestic and commercial properties, with prevention and Integrated Pest Management at the heart of our approach.
From identifying the causes of rodent activity and inspecting potential entry points to providing targeted control and advice on proofing, we help property owners tackle rat problems effectively and reduce the risk of them returning.
If you have noticed signs of rats or are concerned about the risk of an infestation, contact PGM Pest Control for expert advice and a tailored solution.
