Where Waltham Forest's Rats Come From
Drain faults beneath Walthamstow's terraces
Much of Walthamstow's Victorian housing sits on pipework that's over a century old, and a single cracked joint under the street is enough for rats to climb from the sewer into the ground beneath a house. Suspended timber floors over a shallow void mean activity can start under the boards with no visible hole outside, which is the pattern that usually points back to the drains.
Epping Forest's tree line near Chingford
Further out towards Chingford, properties backing onto Epping Forest give rats a route along tree cover and boundary fences rather than through pipework. Compost bins, bird feeders and gaps under sheds close to the woodland edge are what draws them in, and burrows tend to appear along the boundary rather than near the house.
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 a Waltham Forest Rat Problem Returning
We'll ask whether the property sits on an older street or backs onto open ground before talking through next steps.
