Where Merton's Rats Come From
Drain faults near Wimbledon Common
The large Victorian and Edwardian houses close to the Common were built with drainage that has had well over a century to move, crack and separate at the joints. A rat that gets into the run underneath doesn't need a hole in the wall to reach a kitchen or a cellar — a displaced pipe joint under the floor is enough, and it's often found nowhere near where the droppings were first seen.
Sheds, decking and gardens around Morden and Raynes Park
The semi-detached streets around Morden and Raynes Park give rats an easier, above-ground way in. Compost heaps, shed bases and bird feeders left out over winter draw them into the garden first, and from there a gap under a shed floor or beside a drainpipe leads straight to the house. Gardens backing onto the railway line add another route in from outside the plot.
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 Merton's Rats From Coming Back
Once the rats are gone, whatever route they used is usually still open — we'll explain the treatment and how the entry point can be closed before anything is booked.
