How Do Rats Get Into Your Property?

Rats are among the most common and destructive household pests in Milton Keynes and nearby areas like Bletchley, Amersham, Newport Pagnell, and Watford. Once inside, they can cause serious damage to property, wiring, insulation and even pose health risks. But how do they actually get in? And what makes your home so appealing to them in the first place? Use our Contact Form below and a member of our team will be back to you shortly.

Common Entry Points for Rats

Rats are incredibly resourceful and can squeeze through holes as small as 2cm. In many homes we visit across Milton Keynes, rats gain entry through:

• Gaps around pipes or cables entering walls
• Broken air vents or air bricks
• Damaged roof tiles or fascia boards
• Unsealed garage doors or basement windows
• Gaps under external doors
• Sewer systems and drains connected to the property

Our professional rat control team can identify these access points and offer complete rat proofing services across Buckinghamshire.

What Attracts Rats to Your Home?

Rats are constantly searching for three things: food, shelter, and water. If your home provides easy access to any of these, you’re at risk of an infestation. Common attractants include:

• Food scraps left in open bins
• Pet food left out overnight
• Compost heaps and bird seed
• Leaky pipes or open drains
• Warm, undisturbed areas like attics or underfloor spaces

Regular cleaning, secure bin storage, and sealing potential gaps can drastically reduce your chances of attracting rats.

What Do Rats Eat in the UK?

Rats are omnivorous and will eat just about anything, including:

• Cereals, bread, rice, and grains
• Fruit and vegetables
• Pet food (especially dry kibble)
• Leftovers, meat, and cheese
• Garbage and food waste

Securing all food sources in sealed containers and cleaning up crumbs or spills can help discourage rats from entering your home.

How Fast Do Rats Reproduce?

Rats breed rapidly. A single female can produce up to 60 pups a year in the right conditions. This means that a small problem can turn into a full-blown infestation in just a few weeks. This is why we always recommend rapid rat removal at the first sign of activity.

Signs You Might Have Rats

• Scratching or scurrying sounds in walls or ceilings
• Droppings around skirting boards or behind appliances
• Gnaw marks on cables, furniture, or food packaging
• Greasy rub marks on walls or baseboards
• Unusual smells or visible nests

Expert Rat Control in Milton Keynes and Surrounding Towns

If you’re in Milton Keynes, Bletchley, Newport Pagnell, Watford, or the surrounding areas, our team at Milton Keynes Pest Control offers fast and discreet Rat Removal and Proofing Services. We identify how rats are entering your property and eliminate the infestation at its source.

Contact us today to book a professional rat inspection.