Whether you’ve just heard something in the loft or you’re comparing quotes, these guides explain what to look for and what to do next. Where we cite the law, health advice or council services, we say where the information comes from and when we checked it.
Cost & getting help
How much does rat control cost in the UK?How much does rat control cost? Typical UK prices, published Newark figures, what a quote should include, exterminator vs rat catcher costs and red flags.How to choose a pest controller: 12 questions to askHow to choose a trustworthy pest controller: accreditation, training, insurance, written quotes, follow-up visits and red flags. A practical checklist.How professional rat control works, step by stepWhat happens when a professional treats rats: the survey, the plan, treatment, follow-up visits and proofing, plus how to prepare for the visit.
Signs & identification
Rat Droppings: How to Identify Them, Clean Up Safely & What They MeanWhat do rat droppings look like? How to tell them from mouse droppings, whether they are fresh, how to clean them up safely and what they say about the rats. A UK guide.Rats Under Decking: Signs, Why They Nest There & How to Get Rid of ThemRats living under your decking? The signs to look for, why decking attracts rats, what to do (and what not to do) and how to stop them coming back. A UK guide.Rats or mice? How to tell the differenceNot sure whether you have rats or mice? Compare droppings, size, noises and gnawing, and see why the difference matters for treatment.Rat facts: how UK rats live, breed and get into your homeFacts about UK rats: brown vs black rat, size, how fast they breed, lifespan, diet, senses and abilities, checked against BPCA guidance.What noise do rats make in a loft or walls?Scratching, scampering or thumping at night? What rats sound like in a loft, wall or ceiling, how to tell them from mice and squirrels, and what to do.Rats in drains and sewers: signs, responsibility and what to doRats in your drains or sewer? Signs, who is responsible (water company or you), how to seal drains, and when to call a professional.Seen a rat in the garden in daylight? What it means and what to doSeen a rat in your garden during the day? Is it dangerous, what it means, whether rats will come indoors, risks to pets, and what to do. A UK guide.
Health & safety
Are rats dangerous? Health risks, damage and petsThe real health risks from rats in UK homes, including leptospirosis (Weil's disease), damage to cables and property, risks to pets, and how to clean up safely.Bitten by a rat? What to do and when to get helpBitten or scratched by a rat? What to do straight away, when to call NHS 111 or go to A&E, and how to reduce the risk of being bitten. Based on NHS advice.Rat poison: what works, what’s safe and what the rules sayHow rat poison works, why DIY often fails, risks to pets and wildlife, what the UK rules say about who can use it, and when to call a professional.
Prevention
Rat-proofing chicken coops, sheds and allotmentsKeep rats out of chicken coops, sheds and allotments: feed storage, secure mesh, compost, water and daily habits. Based on UK guidance.Why rats come indoors in autumn, and how to stop themWhy rat activity peaks from September, what attracts rats to your home and garden, and a practical prevention checklist for UK homes, gardens and chicken coops.Do cats or dogs actually keep rats away?Cats and dogs are often assumed to keep rats away. Here's what a pet can realistically do, where it falls short, and the real risk rat poison poses to pets.Do home remedies keep rats away? What the evidence saysPeppermint oil, ultrasonic repellers, mothballs, vinegar: do they get rid of rats? What regulators and experts say, and what actually works in a UK home.
Rights & responsibilities
Rats coming from next door: who’s responsible and what to doRats coming from a neighbour's property in Newark-on-Trent? Who is responsible, how to raise it, and how to involve the council or your landlord.Rats in a rented home: what tenants and landlords should doRats in a rented home? What tenants should do, what landlords must do, and how the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act and the council come in.Does Newark & Sherwood District Council deal with rats?Newark & Sherwood District Council doesn't offer a pest control service. See who treats rats in Newark, what the council can help with, and what to do next.
Services and areas
Ready to deal with it? See loft rat removal, garden rat control and rat proofing, or find your local area page.
This site connects households and businesses in the Newark-on-Trent area with an independent local rat-control technician. We are not the servicing contractor and do not carry out treatment ourselves. See our terms & disclosure.