Rats?!

[AGreatUsername]

We’ve just moved into a new house that has been unoccupied for a year. I heard some noises in the attic last night which I suspect may be a rat. Today we’ve had to rip out all the kitchen units as the previous occupier has left them in such a bad state they are filled with mould, and underneath them is a load of rubbish and some rat droppings. I’m thinking their probably isn’t a rat currently in the house, as there’s not a dropping to be seen other than under the units and in one drawer. Nothing on the floors, or anywhere else in the house.

Do you think the kitchen stuff is a sign of a previous infestation? And what shall I put in the loft to get rid of the one up there (there was only one small area with noise so I don’t think there’s lots of them)?

Get a pest controller out to the house.

Contact your local council, ours will deal with rats free of charge.

Get poison blocks for the loft. Make sure you fill in any gaps in the kitchen with wire wool etc.

In my experience its best to get a professional in unless you are happy to deal with the bodies etc. I dont like poison in a house as they may crawl under the floor and die and it will stink for weeks.
If you see one its likely you will have a lot more.
Block any access holes on the building and set traps at the edges of walls and under kitchen units, check daily, it may be week or two until you start to catch them as they dont like new stuff so will avoid it.
Remove any food they can eat. Any evidence outside? If so ask local farmers as they will know of a local dog team who will make a mess of the garden but should clear them out in a day. The main thing is making the house rat proof stuff any openings with wire wool and sealant / mastic so they can't get in our out then deal with any inside whilst dealing with external at the same time.
Its not a nice job but you have to do it for your safety. Any pets? we got rid of the rabbit and Guiana pig as the local rats and mice made a bee line for the hutch

Well, we haven’t heard a peep since that night. The kitchen droppings were 100% old and there’s nothing in the house. The noise in the attic may have been a loose cable smacking around with the wind (Edwardian end of terrace facing the sea, so very draughty and it was a really windy night). I’ve put a plate up there with some food on to check tomorrow if it’s been touched but fingers crossed it was nothing after all.....

Great news but a good idea to check, just have look around to be certain the hose is rat proof as with all the returns etc closing we might see them looking to other food sources

We’ve just had a company out to deal with a mouse problem. He said you should try to trap rats, where possible, as they are bait shy and stink for weeks when they die.