Rat Control Bexley, Bromley, Sevenoaks, Sidcup, Swanley – Finding the Cause, Not Just the Symptom

My name is Steve Percy and I've been providing rat control in Bromley, Orpington, Bexley, Sidcup, Swanley, and Biggin Hill for over 25 years. In that time I've worked on council contracts, commercial sites, and hundreds of residential properties — and the single biggest lesson I've learned is this: traps and bait are only ever part of the answer. The real work is finding out how the they are getting in and making sure they can't do it again.

I arrive in an unmarked vehicle, I take the time to do the job properly, and I won't leave you with a temporary fix when a permanent solution is within reach.

Understanding How Rats Behave — And Why It Matters

Rat under kitchen units

Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) are cautious, intelligent animals. They suffer from neophobia — a fear of new objects — which is one of the reasons DIY traps and over-the-counter bait so often fail. They will avoid anything unfamiliar in their environment until they're confident it poses no threat. Knowing this shapes everything about how I approach a treatment, from where I place bait stations to how I time follow-up visits.

They are also highly adaptable. They nest in sheds, cavity walls, loft spaces, and beneath kitchen units. They exploit bird feeders, compost bins, and unsecured bin bags for food. And critically — they rarely travel alone. Where there's one rat, there are usually more, and where there are rats, there are often fleas too. If you have pets, that's a secondary problem you really don't want to discover too late.

The Health Risks of Rats in Your Home

Rats are carriers of Weil's disease (leptospirosis), and research suggests that between 50 and 70% of the brown rat population carry the bacteria. Symptoms range from flu-like illness through to serious complications including kidney failure and meningitis. This isn't a theoretical risk — I had a close family member nearly lose his life to Weil's disease, and it's one of the reasons I take rat control so seriously.

Beyond health, rats pose a real threat to property. Their teeth never stop growing, which means they never stop gnawing — through timber, pipework, and electrical cables. Exposed wiring is one of the leading causes of house fires, and in my experience it's a risk that's consistently underestimated by homeowners dealing with a rodent problem.

Are Rats Getting In Through Your Drains?

In many properties across Bromley and Orpington, a recurring problem isn't a bait problem or a trap problem — it's a drainage problem. Cracked pipes, collapsed junctions, and redundant interceptors all create direct routes from the sewer system into your property. I've visited homes in Bromley where thousands of pounds had been spent on repeated treatments, only for me to find a single cracked pipe in the garden that was acting as the  front door.

I carry out a visual drain inspection as part of every first visit at no extra charge. If I suspect a more serious drainage defect, I can arrange a full CCTV drain survey — this is a specialist service charged separately, but it's often the most important investment a homeowner can make when dealing with a persistent rat problem.

Dealing with a persistent rat problem that keeps coming back? Tap the WhatsApp button or call me today to get your drains checked on my first visit.

My 3-Visit Rat Treatment Programme

Visit 1 (1–2 hours): I confirm we're dealing with rats — it's easier to misdiagnose than people think, particularly when the only signs are scratching noises or nibbled food packaging. I then carry out a full inspection of the property, identify likely entry points, check drains visually, and put the treatment plan in place.

Visit 2: I check the treatment, assess activity levels, adjust bait or trap placement if needed, and update you on what I'm seeing. Follow-up visits typically take 15–20 minutes, though I always allow up to an hour if you want to talk through the situation in more detail.

Visit 3: Final check, confirmation that the infestation has been resolved, and a full proofing assessment with recommendations or a quote for any physical work needed.

On the rare occasion a fourth visit is required, it's charged at a single visit rate — you won't be asked to pay for another full block of treatments.

Rat at night exiting customer's house

Rat Proofing & Long-Term Prevention

Getting rid of the rats you have is only half the job. Keeping them out permanently is the other half, and it's where a lot of pest controllers fall short. I offer a full range of proofing solutions including stainless steel airbrick covers, industrial-grade sealing of external pipe entries, rodent-proof cement and wire wool for wall cavities and structural gaps, and rodent-proof drain bungs or interceptors where drainage is the identified entry route.

Every first visit also includes a hygiene audit — I'll walk around the outside of your property and identify any attractants like unsecured bird feeders, compost bins, or food waste that are drawing them to your perimeter in the first place.

What One of My Customers Said

Local Rat Control Across Bromley & Orpington

I provide same-day rat control and long-term proofing throughout the Bromley borough, including Bromley Town Centre (BR1), Orpington and Petts Wood (BR5 & BR6), Chislehurst, Bickley (BR7), West Wickham, Keston, Sidcup and Bexley, Swanley and Biggin Hill.

Rat Control – Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have rats or mice?

The droppings of rats are larger — around 12–18mm — and blunt at both ends. Mice droppings are smaller and more pointed. Rats also tend to leave grease marks along walls and skirting boards where they travel regularly. If you're unsure, I can confirm which pest you're dealing with on my first visit.

How quickly can you attend?

I offer same-day callouts Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, subject to availability. Rat problems should be dealt with quickly — the longer they're left, the larger the population and the more damage is done.

Why do my rats keep coming back after treatment?

Almost always because the entry point hasn't been identified and sealed. Bait kills the rats you have — it doesn't stop new ones coming in. Finding and blocking the access route is the only permanent solution.

Do you use poison?

I use professional-grade rodenticides where appropriate, always secured inside tamper-resistant bait stations to protect children, pets, and non-target wildlife. I more often use mechanical traps on my rodent treatments as we should always use the least toxic methods first. This is to remain within the Campaign for responsible rodenticide usage guidelines. Another reason for this is that there is less chance of a smell or flys in your home.

Is rat poison safe around my children and pets?

Yes, when applied correctly. All bait is placed inside locked, tamper-resistant stations that only rats can access. I follow Integrated Pest Management principles on every job.

Get in Touch

If you have a problem — whether it started yesterday or has been going on for months — get in touch today. I'll give you an honest assessment, a clear price, and a proper long-term solution. Most of my work comes through word of mouth, and I intend to keep it that way.