Living Next to Railway and Industrial Land
Railway embankments, depots and the verges of big roads are some of the least disturbed ground in London. Vegetation, shelter and very few people make them ideal for rats, and a house whose garden backs onto that land is the nearest source of food.
Why the garden fence matters
Rats living on an embankment will forage into gardens along the boundary. Compost heaps, bird feeders, chicken runs and sheds with gaps underneath all draw them in. Burrows tend to appear along the back fence first, then under sheds and decking closer to the house.
Industrial and trade units
Warehouses and trade counters along the North Circular and Neasden Lane handle deliveries, pallets and food waste. Mice and rats move between units and neighbouring homes. Businesses there are welcome to call us, and residents who see activity near a boundary with commercial land should mention it when they enquire.
What helps on a railway-side plot
- Keep bird food in feeders with trays, and away from the back fence
- Use sealed compost bins on a solid base rather than open heaps
- Clear the space under sheds and decking, or close it off with mesh
- Check the base of the house for gaps around pipes and air bricks
Treatment and proofing
Because the source land will always be there, treatment inside the house and garden needs to be followed by closing the gaps. Small holes can be sealed with our rodent proofing; larger boundary work is one for a fencer or builder.
