Rats In the Drains. How To Eradicate Them?

Rats in your property can be a very unpleasant experience. They can enter your London property and garden in several ways. It is very common for rats to enter your home via the drainage system, pipes and external holes. And once they are inside they can usually come and go as they please and can settle into most environments. As long as they have a shelter and unlimited source of food and water these pesky pests will not leave your property. Sewer rats known also as Norway rats are excellent swimmers and when it comes to distance, some sewer rats swim more than a mile, through the pipes. The only problem is that rats don't deal well with hunger, so when food is scarce, they can start looking for new places full of food sources. The sewers offer easy access to your drain pipes and of course the food in your home. Rats are not picky eaters and sometimes they can eat faecal matter in case there is no other food source. Disgusting, right?Common signs of a rat infestation include:- Rat droppings- Gnawed walls, skirting boards, window and door frames-  Scratching noises behind walls and under the floorIf you want to find out if rats are infesting your property through the drain system you have to check the outside of your house. Look for holes in brickwork and pay special attention if old pipe-work has been removed and the holes are still open. You can also check the attic if you are hearing gnawing noises above the ceiling. Make sure there is no excessive daylight coming in and especially around the eaves. Rats could possibly climb the drainpipe and chew a hole so they can have easy access to your attic. It is recommended to seal all gaps and holes with wire mesh to prevent rats from coming into your property. If after the sealing you are still able to hear gnawing noises and finding chewed materials and of course droppings, then the chances of rats coming through the drainage system are huge.Damage in drainsDamaged drains are the most common way rats gain access to domestic and commercial buildings. In fact, the last manhole on your property before the road is the most likely suspect for rats getting into the domestic drains. Even if you found how sewer rats are getting into your property, it is essential to know how they get out into the house. Luckily more and more pest control companies in London are offering specialised CCTV equipment, allowing you to check all your hard to reach pipes and find where the rats enter and exit the drains.After locating the problemOnce the damaged pipe is located, it will need repairing. After the repair has been carried out, it is recommended to install a Rat blocker within the drain. This blocker will be able to prevent rats from entering the drains in future.Rat Blockers: How Do They Work?Rat blockers are a hard-wearing and reliable piece of equipment. The presence of this valve will prevent the backflow of waste and will stop everything from entering your drains from the sewers.The rat blockers are designed to only operate in one way. This means pests such as rats can use them only to exit your drainage system. Rats will not be able to open it from the other side no matter how hard they try. Thanks to the rat blockers, your property will be protected from rat infestation.