Where Greenwich's Rats Come From
Old drains near the river at Greenwich and Woolwich
The Georgian and Victorian buildings near the river at Greenwich and Woolwich sit on drainage that's been altered and reconnected many times over the years, and a cracked or displaced pipe under one of these older conversions gives rats a way straight up into a floor void with no obvious entry point outside. It's the explanation we come back to most often when there's activity under a ground-floor flat near the town centre.
Gardens backing onto rail lines at Charlton
Charlton's terraced streets run close to rail lines and industrial land along the Thames path, and gardens backing onto either give rats cover to move between properties well away from any drain. Compost heaps, bird feeders and loosely stacked materials near the sidings are the usual draw, and a burrow beside a fence line is often the first sign anyone notices.
Signs to Look For
- Dark, tapered droppings roughly 1–2cm long, often in small groups
- Greasy smear marks along skirting boards, pipes and the edges of holes
- Gnawing on wood, plastic, food packaging or cables
- Scratching in ceilings, walls or under the floor, mostly at night
- Burrows a few centimetres across in soil, under paving or beside a shed
- A stale, ammonia-like smell in cupboards or under the stairs
Keeping Greenwich's Rats From Coming Back
Once the rats are dealt with, the entry point they used usually still needs closing — small accessible gaps can be sealed once the cause is confirmed.
