Rats are in the news again this autumn, and Channel 5 News went out on the streets of Oldham to see the problem first-hand. JG Pest Control technician Sean Noble showed their reporter what attracts rats to a street and how they get into homes. Here are his five tips for keeping them out.
Sean’s five tips for keeping rats away
1. Keep bin lids shut and bins in good repair
“Rats go where the food is. An overflowing bin, a lid that won’t close or a bin with a chewed hole is an open invitation, so don’t leave bags beside or on top of the bin.”
2. Don’t leave food out
“Clear up fallen bird seed, pet food and compost scraps. Rats come back to a reliable food source night after night.”
3. Check where pipes and cables go into the walls
“Rats can get through surprisingly small gaps. Fill gaps around pipes with something they can’t chew through, such as wire wool and mortar or metal mesh, not just expanding foam.”
4. Don’t forget the drains
“A broken or damaged drain is one of the most common ways rats get into a home, sometimes right up through the toilet. A non-return valve fitted in the drain helps stop them coming back up, and any broken pipe needs repairing too.”
Our rat drain blocker is a valve fitted inside the drain that lets water out but is designed to stop rats getting back in.
5. Know the signs and act early
“Droppings, gnaw marks, greasy marks along walls, scratching at night and burrows near walls or bins all point to rats. The sooner it’s dealt with, the easier it is to sort.”
Why rats come indoors at this time of year
As the weather turns, rats look for warmth, shelter and a steady supply of food, and homes, sheds and outbuildings offer all three. Overflowing bins and food waste give them a reason to stay. Between October 2025 and October 2026, JG Pest Control and its group brands booked 8,076 rat call-outs across the UK. You can see the figures for every postcode area on our UK rat hotspots page.
When to call a professional
If you are seeing signs of rats inside your home, or rats keep coming back however tidy the bins are, it is time to call us. Our technicians find how the rats are getting in, treat the problem and proof the entry points so the fix lasts. Find out more about our rat control service. Our treatments are guaranteed, and JG Pest Control is the highest rated pest control company on Trustpilot, rated 4.7 out of 5 from more than 28,000 reviews.
Rat figures: based on rat call-outs booked with JG Pest Control and its group brands, 1 October 2025 to 1 October 2026. The Pest Control Co is included from March 2026; Nightshift’s contract work is recorded separately and is not included.