Treatment deals with rats; it does not close the door
Treatment removes the rats that are there. If the way they got in is still open, and the reason they came is still there, new rats will find the same route. Most repeat problems come down to one of four causes.
1. A drain defect
In the older parts of Brent, this is the most common cause by far. Rats live in the public sewer, and a cracked pipe or an abandoned connection under a house gives each new generation a way in. Treatment clears the rats inside; the sewer population is endless. See how rats get into Brent homes for the signs that point to the drains, and our Kensal Green page for the Victorian drainage behind so many cases.
The fix is a CCTV drain survey by a drainage contractor, followed by a repair, relining or a one-way rat blocker.
2. An entry point that was never sealed
A gap around a pipe, a broken air brick or a worn door threshold that the rats used before will be found again. Once activity has stopped is the time to close it — our guide to rat proofing explains what that involves, and small holes can be sealed with our rodent proofing service.
3. Food is still available
- Bird food spilling from feeders or scattered on the lawn
- Pet food left down overnight
- Open compost heaps with food waste
- Bin bags left out or bins with broken lids
None of these cause a rat problem on their own, but they keep drawing rats to the property.
4. The rats are next door
In a terrace or a block of flats, treating one property while the neighbours have an active problem means rats can cross back through shared voids and walls. If you suspect this, talk to your neighbours or your managing agent — our guide on rats in flats covers shared buildings.
Was the treatment finished?
Rats are naturally wary of anything new in their environment, so professional rat control is a process rather than a single moment. Stopping early, moving bait stations or clearing things away too soon can leave survivors. Our guide to how long rat control takes explains why patience matters, and when to proof covers the timing of sealing gaps.
What to do if rats have returned
Tell us what happened last time, when the rats came back and where the signs are now. Rat control in Brent is £190 for a flat and £240 for a house — and this time, finding the route in should be part of the plan. You can book it here.
