Rat problem

Piggyst24

Hi, I’m looking to seek advise as I’m at a loss of what to do now!

I bought my house in December 2014, not long after moving in I noticed a awful smell in my kitchen, as I was having a new kitchen I ripped the kitchen to bits and found under one cupboard it was full of rat poos!

I renovated the house and found the same in the kitchen ceiling along with rat chewed electrical cables, in the loft I found a few rat skeletons, I baited the loft with traps and within days killed a rat - it was huge!

I was speaking to my neighbour about it and he told me the last owner had to move out for a week whilst the house was fumigated and baited!

Me been me I just went on trying to solve the problem, I end up with a cctv camera in my loft watching the traps, the rats just kept coming back and today I’ve killed 7.

I started to hear noises at the back of my fire and under my living room floor so I ripped the floor up, I could se they had been under my fire hearth, I filled it with expanding foam, shuttered it off and filled around it with concrete.

My house is a end terrace built in the 1920 and sits about 3 foot lower than the attached house, the attached neighbour said they’ve not had a rat problem so I started to investigate the drains, I’ve had them cameraed 3 times and paid to have to sections repaired! All my drains are now fault free.

I’m still getting rats in my house, under the living room floor, in the loft and under my bathroom floor.

The only place they can be coming from is next door ( there’s no exterior ways they can get in)

Is there any legal route I can go as next door just don’t seem interested?

Also is there anything I can do as the seller obviously knew about this problem and didn’t disclose it ( I know I’m clutching at straws with this as it’s been 5 years )

Many thanks for reading and any advise giving.

Chris

davidmcn

Piggyst24 wrote: »

is there anything I can do as the seller obviously knew about this problem and didn’t disclose it

They only (generally) need to disclose things if you ask about them. I'm guessing you didn't ask any questions about rats.


Environmental Health might be able to help, but failing that, how are the rats getting into your house? Figuring out the possible routes and blocking them off would seem the best solution, though I'm no rodent expert.

eddddy

Piggyst24 wrote: »

I filled it with expanding foam, shuttered it off and filled around it with concrete.

I can't really visualise what you mean, but expanding foam won't keep rats out. They'll chew through it in no time.

Filling the gaps with steel wool first, and then covering the steel wool with expanding foam (or concrete) is often a better solution.


As you suggest, blocking all the entry points (gaps, holes etc), is the best approach.

FreeBear

eddddy wrote: »

As you suggest, blocking all the entry points (gaps, holes etc), is the best approach.

But do not block off the vents that allow air in under the suspended wooden floor (assuming you have one). Also be careful not to bridge the damp proof course with any cement - Both will lead to greater problems from damp in the future.

Kim_kim

Get a professional vermin firm in.

Fosterdog

They must have a food source if they are sticking around, do you or any neighbours have any outdoor pets, bird feeders or a compost heap. They provide the most common food sources for rats and if you get rid of their food they move on.

kazwookie

Get a pack of terriers in for a day


https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/19/pack-terriers-kill-700-rats-farm-just-seven-hours-12083463/

AdrianC

Piggyst24 wrote: »

The only place they can be coming from is next door ( there’s no exterior ways they can get in)

Oh, yes, there is. There's a myriad of ways.

Is there any legal route I can go as next door just don’t seem interested?

Also is there anything I can do as the seller obviously knew about this problem and didn’t disclose it ( I know I’m clutching at straws with this as it’s been 5 years )

Are you serious?

csgohan4

Could also be from the gutters as well, we had rats running through at night

m0bov

Think you need a pro in, could they be getting to the loft via cavity? Are there any damaged airbricks outside? Open drains nearby?

The council would have a list of approved contractors who can work out where they are coming from.

Jonbvn

OP,

Try your local council. They may be able to help and will offer advice.

https://www.gov.uk/pest-control