We have created the below image to demonstrate how a drain or sewer fault can be taken advantage of by a rat or multiple rats who escape the drain system. You have to remember that ultimately rats are all about self preservation. They rely on the simplest and most basic of requirements and thought processes. When rats find a fault in a drain and choose to leave the drainage system, they looking for two things.
- Food/ drink.
- Safe harbourage ( Warm – dry – safe )
It is possible that the rats have already identified your property as fulfilling the above and simply burrow to find a safe passage between the drain fault and your property. It is also possible that rats are attracted to the warmth of the building or the availability of a food source. Whatever the reason, we need to deal with the access issue at the same time as we deal with the eradication of the vermin.
So how can we deal with the problem? The first step will always be a full survey. This will include your drain covers being lifted to prove or disprove this theory. There is of course a chance that it may not be your drains! If the drains are potentially identified as the fault, the next step may be to have a smoke test undertaken on the drains. This could identity where the fault is in the system. Failing this a full CCTV survey of your drainage may be required. This should identify exactly where the fault is and it may be something as simple as a redundant waste/sewer outlet that has not been capped off (easy fix).
Other solutions Kent County Pest Control offer, which can be both preventative or also potentially solve the issue are the fitting of one way drain valves. One way drain valves or drain flaps or even rat flaps, offer protection from the main sewer run away. They can be fitted at the waste outlet and create a system whereby the the pipe will only allow for waste out. Check out the picture below showing two drain flaps that we fitted at a residential property where rats escaping drains was an issue. We will also cap off redundant outlets that could be causing the main issue if they are identified.
