12th November 2019
Hearing scratching or movement inside the walls can be one of the most frustrating signs of a rat problem. You may hear activity at night, find evidence in the loft or repeatedly deal with rats without being able to work out how they are getting into the property.
Rats can use wall cavities as a route through a building, moving between lower parts of the property and roof or loft spaces. The important part of dealing with the problem is not simply removing the rats you can see or hear. You also need to establish how they are getting into the building in the first place.
Damaged drains and sewer connections can sometimes provide that route, particularly where there is no obvious entry point above ground. However, rats can also exploit gaps around pipework, damaged brickwork, vents and other defects in the structure of a property.
If you have rats in your walls or loft and the problem keeps returning, call Ian on 07821 318 954 for advice or to arrange an inspection.
Rats can remain hidden inside walls for long periods, so you may hear or notice signs of activity before you ever see one.
Common signs that rats may be using a wall cavity include:
The location of the noise does not necessarily tell you exactly where the rats entered the property. A rat heard in an upstairs wall could have entered much lower down and travelled upwards through the cavity.
People often describe rats in walls as scratching, scraping, rustling or scurrying sounds. You may also hear gnawing or heavier movement than you would normally associate with a mouse.
Activity can seem particularly loud at night when the house is quiet. In some properties, noises can appear to move from a wall into the ceiling or loft as the rats travel through hidden areas of the building.
Not every noise inside a wall is caused by rats. Mice, squirrels, birds and even normal building movement can sometimes create similar sounds, which is why looking for other signs of pest activity is important.
Rats are very good at exploiting weaknesses in buildings. Once they find a suitable opening, a wall cavity can give them a protected route through parts of the property that are difficult for the homeowner to inspect.
Possible entry points can include:
Finding the entry point is one of the most important parts of resolving a recurring rat problem. If access into the building remains available, simply treating the rats currently present may only provide a temporary solution.
Yes. Drainage problems are an important possibility when rats are repeatedly appearing inside a property without an obvious external entry point.
Rats commonly live and travel within sewer systems. If there is a damaged pipe, defective connection or another opening in the drainage system, they may be able to leave the sewer and reach voids beneath or alongside a building.
From there, a wall cavity can provide a route upwards through the property and potentially into the loft.
The drainage defect does not always need to be a dramatic collapse or large hole. Smaller defects and poorly sealed connections can also be worth investigating when there is persistent unexplained rat activity.
You can read more about this particular problem on our rats in sewers and drains page.
Sometimes homeowners find rat droppings or damaged insulation in the loft but cannot identify any obvious way for rats to have entered through the roof.
In these cases, the rats may have reached the loft from elsewhere inside the structure.
Wall cavities can provide a concealed route between lower parts of a building and the roof space. Once inside the loft, rats may disturb insulation, create nesting areas and gnaw materials.
This is why concentrating only on the loft may not solve the problem. The route into the building needs to be considered as part of the investigation.
Rat problems can be particularly difficult to trace in terraced and adjoining properties because pests may be able to move through connected spaces and structural voids.
The point where you hear rats may therefore be some distance from the original entry point.
Drainage systems can also run beneath or alongside several neighbouring properties, which can make persistent rat activity more complicated to investigate.
If rats repeatedly return after treatment, it may be necessary to look beyond the room or section of wall where the noise is being heard and consider the wider structure of the property.
There is no single treatment that is right for every case. The best approach depends on where the rats are active, how they are entering the property and whether there is an underlying structural or drainage problem.
A proper investigation may involve:
Where drainage is suspected, a suitable drain inspection may also be needed to help locate defects that cannot be seen from above ground.
A recurring rat problem usually means there is more to address than the rats currently inside the property.
If the route into the building remains open, new rats may eventually use it again. Food sources, shelter, damaged drainage and easy access around the structure can all contribute to an ongoing problem.
This is also why repeated treatments without investigating the source can sometimes appear to work temporarily before the noises or sightings begin again.
The aim should be to understand where the rats are coming from, how they are getting in and what needs to change to reduce the risk of further activity.
Care needs to be taken before sealing suspected entry points.
If rats are still using the building, blocking a route without dealing with the active infestation can potentially trap them inside or cause them to search for another way through the property.
It is usually better to establish the extent of the activity first, carry out the appropriate pest control treatment and then deal with proofing or repairs at the correct stage.
The cavity itself is normally being used as a route rather than being the source of the problem, but rats can cause damage to materials they encounter inside a property.
This may include gnawing insulation, timber, plastic and electrical cables. They can also contaminate areas with urine and droppings and disturb insulation in loft spaces.
If you suspect rats have been active inside your walls for some time, investigating the problem sooner rather than later can help prevent further damage.
Ian provides rat control for homes and businesses across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and the surrounding North West.
Rather than simply concentrating on the rat you have seen or the wall where you can hear movement, the aim is to investigate the wider problem and identify the most likely route into the property.
If you are experiencing rats in wall cavities, lofts or elsewhere in your property, call 07821 318 954 or use the website contact form to explain what you have been seeing or hearing.
You can also find out more about our professional rat control services.
Rats can use wall cavities for shelter and as protected routes through a building. They may move between lower parts of the property, walls and loft spaces without being visible inside the rooms themselves.
Not always. Damaged drains and sewer connections can provide an important hidden access route, particularly when there is no obvious entry point above ground, but rats can also enter through gaps and defects elsewhere in the building.
Rats are capable climbers and can move through suitable voids and structural spaces. This is one reason rat activity may be found in a loft even when the original access point is much lower down the property.
If rats are travelling inside wall cavities, beneath floors or through roof spaces, much of their activity can remain hidden. You may therefore hear movement or find droppings without seeing a live rat inside the main living areas.
It is not sensible to assume the problem will disappear by itself. If the property provides a safe route or shelter, rats may continue using it. Persistent activity should be investigated so the source and access points can be identified.
If you are hearing scratching or movement inside your walls, Ian can help investigate the problem and advise on the appropriate pest control treatment. Call 07821 318 954 to discuss what you have noticed.
