Where Tower Hamlets' Rats Come From
Drain faults under Bethnal Green
The Victorian pipework beneath Bethnal Green's terraces is well over a century old in places, and a single cracked joint gives rats a way from the sewer into the ground beneath a house. With suspended timber floors above a shallow void, that's often enough for activity to start under the boards with no visible hole outside — the classic sign of a drain fault rather than a garden entry.
Canal towpaths through Bow
The Regent's Canal runs through Bow, and the towpaths and banks either side give rats an open, food-rich route that isn't tied to any single property. Gardens and yards backing directly onto the water see more rat activity than those set further back, simply because the canal itself is a constant corridor for them.
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
Stopping Tower Hamlets' Rats Coming Back
We'll ask whether the property backs onto the canal or sits on an older street before talking through next steps.
