Rat prevention

The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 is clear that the responsibility for dealing with rats falls to the land owner, so it is essential owners take responsibility and understand that any enforcement action will be taken against them if they fail to manage their land appropriately.

On this page
About rats
How to spot signs of rats
How to prevent rats
How the council can help
Removing rats
Further advice and support

About rats

Rats can be found anywhere that offers shelter, food and water. The most common species within the UK is the common or brown rat which is physically strong, can jump up to three metres and can squeeze through a gap of less than 2.5cm. They are mainly active at night but you may see them searching for food and water during the day. They are efficient burrowers and like compost heaps and areas under hedges and sheds where they dig shallow burrows and make nests with dry grass and leaves. In houses they nest in wall cavities and under floorboards.

Make sure your soil vent pipe is capped and keep gutters clear. Look out for gnaw and rub marks at entry points as well as damage to the eaves.

How to spot signs of rats

Droppings

Rat droppings are around 2cm (3/4”) long and cigar shaped. If they’re moist and dark it’s a sign that rats are in the area.

Damage

Rats gnaw constantly and cause damage to belongings, structures, pipes and electric cables as well as food packets. This damage can cause electrical fi res, problems with drainage systems and even subsidence.

Runways

Rats run along the same path many times and leave black, greasy marks.

Holes

Rats live in burrows with entry and exit holes 5-7cm wide. If the hole is smooth and shiny it could be an active burrow. The holes could be under bushes or plants. They can also nest in roof spaces and upper floors of buildings.

How to prevent rats

Use your wheeled bin

Dispose of waste food in your food waste bin. Make sure you close the lids of all bins and lift the handle of your food waste bin to engage the lock. This will reduce the chance of rats entering. Ensure your waste is put out for collection on time. If you are unsure, check your bin collection date. Do not leave additional waste bags or sacks around the bin for long periods of time. These bags will attract rats which will impact the community.

Compost bins

Only put garden and uncooked vegetable waste on compost heaps. Either put them on a hard surface or use wire netting underneath to stop rats.

Get rid of clutter

Remove rubbish, piles of wood and garden waste where rats could make a nest.

Control weeds, shrubs and bushes

Keep your garden tidy and clear overgrown areas. Cut tree branches so they do not overhang your property.

Wall climbing plants should be trimmed and not allowed to reach from ground to roof level.

Close old burrows

An inactive burrow will have leaves, cobwebs or other debris around the entrance. Close these holes so rats can’t get back in. Fill holes in the garden with soil and pressing it down.

Close holes in walls with cement.

Bird feeding/pet food

Rats will eat bird and pet food so make sure you keep food off the ground. If feeding wild birds use suspended wire feeders with attached waste trays and only put out enough food for the day. Clear away spilled bird or pet food immediately.

Building work

If you are building an extension or conservatory ensure good workmanship as unfinished or poor workmanship can provide a perfect access for rats.

Maintain your property

Keep your property in good repair. To ensure a rat infestation in your garden does not enter your home you should repair any external structural faults.

Seal holes around pipes with wire wool and fill with cement or expanding foam. Damaged or old air vents with holes bigger than 2.5cm should be replaced, repaired or covered with fine mesh – make sure you don’t block them though. Gaps under external doors should be blocked with draught excluding brushes or bristle strips or the threshold raised.

Check your drainage is in good repair as rats can access the house via broken pipe work.

Surrounding areas

Report any local refuse issues or flytipping to the Council. Report local businesses who have overflowing bins or who don’t clear the rubbish their business or customers create.

You can use our Love Clean Reading app.

View rat prevention PDF guide

How the council can help

What Reading Borough Council can do:

• Provide information and advice on rats to residents.
• In some cases, take enforcement action where we have evidence of rats on private land that owners are failing to deal with.
• Continue with street cleaning to reduce environmental food sources on the highway.
• Advise residents on waste management and recycling and monitor the area to ensure compliance with waste legislation.
• Work with Thames Water to ensure that any issues relating to their network are resolved.
• Resolve issues on Council land.

What Reading Borough Council can’t do:

• Access all properties in the area and carry out proofing works or treatments.
• Carry out an open public area baiting programme due to issues of access and risks of secondary poisoning to non-target species.
• Survey private drains without the owner requesting this as a paid for service.
• Rectify land use issues outside the Council’s control.
• Undertake general surveys of large areas based on a perception of increased rat activity without specific information about where rats have been seen, where burrows have been seen or where waste may be poorly managed.

Removing rats

If you already have rats you may need to consider hiring professional help.

Rat baiting

We do not recommend you use over the counter bait as it is less effective than that used by pest controllers and may simply provide a food source for the rats.

We strongly advise you use a professional pest control service such as those accredited by BASIS PROMPT, British Pest Control Association (BPCA) or National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA).

A good company should:

• Give you a written inspection report and an action plan.
• Offer advice for structural repair, if required.
• Visit as regularly as required.
• Put bait in tamper-resistant containers.
• Educate you on how to prevent rats.

Work together

• Walk around with the pest control professional during each visit, and keep track of work.
• Agree on a service plan and cost.
• Follow-up on referrals and recommendations.

Further advice and support

Reading Borough Council Pest Control Service

DialAPest provides a domestic pest control service on behalf of Reading Borough Council for a charge. You can contact them on 03444 828325. Find current prices and further information.

Before contacting Reading Borough Council check that you have:

• instructed an accredited pest controller
• carried out pest proofing works
• made sure household waste is secured in closed lidded bins
• made sure bird food is removed at night
• talked with neighbours to work to resolve the problem

Reporting a problem

You can report fly-tipping and/or tell us about rats on council land using Love Clean Reading or report a street problem form, or by calling 0118 937 3787.

Contact the Environmental Protection and Nuisance Team

If you need us to carry out an investigation, please submit a pest control report (provided by your accredited pest control contractor). This should show that you have an infestation. The infestation must be beyond your control and not possible to resolve by baiting alone. Call 0118 937 3787.