Rat Control London
Rat control in London from BioWise: same-day rat removal, treatment and proofing, with a 24/7 line for emergency pest control in London.
We help restaurants, food businesses, offices, hotels, warehouses, landlords, managing agents and homes across London.
Our BPCA-certified technicians survey, treat and proof: we find how rats are getting in, deal with them safely and within the law, then seal the gaps so they stay out.
The Dangers Of Rats
• Health Risks: Rats can carry leptospirosis (Weil’s disease) and spread bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli through their droppings, urine and saliva. Seoul hantavirus has been found in UK wild rats, although the risk to the public is very low.
• Structural Damage: Rats gnaw wiring, pipes, insulation and wood, which can create fire risks, leaks and costly repairs.
• Rapid Infestation: Rats breed quickly, so a few sightings can soon become an established infestation if the cause is not found.
• Food Safety: In a restaurant or food business, signs of rats can lead to a lower food hygiene rating or, in serious cases, closure by environmental health officers.
How We Get Rid Of Rats
• Survey and Identification: We inspect the property, confirm the signs are rats rather than mice, and trace how they are getting in and where they are nesting.
• Treatment Within the Law: We use tamper-resistant bait boxes and traps, placed along rat runs and out of reach of children, pets and other wildlife. Since 1 January 2026, professional rodenticides can only be bought with proof of competence, and glue traps for rodents have been illegal in England without a licence since 31 July 2024. Read Is Rat Poison Legal in the UK? The 2026 Rules Explained.
• Proofing Entry Points: Rats can squeeze through gaps of about 15mm, so we seal holes around pipes, doors, air bricks and walls with wire mesh, bristle strips and other rodent-proof materials. See How to Rodent-Proof Exterior Doors Against Mice and Rats.
• Drain Checks: Many London rat problems start in defective drains. We check drains, fit rat blockers and can arrange CCTV drain surveys where a defect is suspected. See Rodent-Proofing Drains: A Guide for Landlords and Managers.
• Follow-Up Visits and Reports: We return to check bait boxes and traps, remove dead rodents and confirm activity has stopped. Business clients on contracts get photo reports and digital service reports for EHO and audit files.
BioWise offers a fair monthly rate to keep your business rat free.
• Monthly visits with official photo reports.
• Emergency call-outs and unlimited minor pest proofing.
• Free initial site survey and tailored plan.
• Digital service reports for EHO and audit files.
Ideal for restaurants, food businesses, warehouses and facilities managers looking after several sites.
Keep your home free of rats with one-off or multiple-visit plans for homeowners, tenants, landlords and housing associations.
Not sure where rats are getting in? Read Rat Proofing for London Homes: Why a Survey Comes First.
BioWise can also keep your home free from mice, pigeons, bed bugs, wasps, ants, cockroaches, fleas, moths and more.
How Can BioWise Help?
• Pest Prevention: We secure your building with prevention-based methods such as proofing, so rats cannot get back in.
• Emergency Call-Outs: Same-day call-outs across London and a 24/7 line for 24-hour pest control when rats cannot wait.
• Cleaning: Our commercial cleaning team can clean and sanitise areas affected by rats, helping you keep premises hygienic.
• Maintenance: We offer general building maintenance, from repairing the defects that let rats in to upgrading electrical systems and renovating bathrooms.
How To Spot Rat Droppings?
• Size and Shape: Rat droppings are about 12-18mm long, dark and capsule-shaped with blunt ends. Mouse droppings are much smaller, about 3-6mm, with pointed ends.
• Location: Often found along walls and skirting, under sinks, behind kitchen equipment and in lofts, basements and bin stores.
• Quantity: Rats leave droppings in groups along the routes they use, so fresh droppings usually mean an active run nearby.
Not sure what you have found? Read Mouse vs Rat Droppings: How to Tell the Difference, or call us for a survey.
About BioWise
BioWise is a family-run business serving 800+ clients, from restaurants, hotels, pubs and offices to private homes across London and the UK
Proud To Be Family Run
BioWise was founded in 2010. Since then our team has slowly expanded as the business has grown.
We were honoured to be awarded Most Trustworthy Family-Run Pest Control Enterprise South East England 2024.
We Service London
Why London has persistent rat problems
• Old Drains and Sewers: Much of London still relies on Victorian drains and sewers. Cracked pipes, broken joints and disused connections give rats an easy route into buildings.
• Terraced Housing and Shared Walls: Rats travel through cavities, shared walls and underfloor voids, so a problem in one property can quickly spread next door.
• Mansion Blocks and Basements: Communal bin stores, service risers and basements give rats food, shelter and hidden routes between flats.
• Restaurants and Food Waste: Busy high streets, takeaways and commercial bins provide food all year round.
• Building Works: Construction, demolition and drain works disturb established rats and push them into neighbouring properties.
Rat control in every London borough
Our technicians cover the whole capital, including the City of London, Canary Wharf, Stratford, Walthamstow, Camden and Fulham. Find your area in central, north, east, south or west London.
Why London businesses trust BioWise
Family-run since 2010, we look after more than 800 clients, have completed over 70,000 projects and hold a 4.9-star Google rating. BioWise is a member of the BPCA and NPTA, CHAS accredited and SafeContractor approved, and was named Most Trustworthy Family-Run Pest Control Enterprise South East England 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Much Does Rat Control Cost In London?
Every property is different, so we give you a fixed written quote after a free survey. The price depends on the size of the infestation, the type of property and how much proofing or drain work is needed. Businesses can also choose a commercial pest control contract with regular visits included.
2. How Quickly Can You Come Out?
We offer same-day call-outs across every London borough, often within hours, with out-of-hours, evening and weekend cover. For urgent problems, such as rats in a kitchen before service, call our 24/7 line on 0800 988 3568. Read Pest Control Response Times in London: What to Expect.
3. How Many Visits Does Rat Treatment Take?
It depends on the size of the infestation and how the rats are getting in. Most treatments involve a survey and first treatment, then follow-up visits to check bait boxes and traps, remove dead rodents and confirm activity has stopped. Your technician will explain the plan and timings on the first visit.
4. Is Rat Control Safe For Pets And Children?
We plan every treatment around the people and animals in the building. Where rodenticides are needed, they go inside tamper-resistant bait boxes placed out of reach, traps are positioned carefully, and we tell you what we have used and where. Keep pets and children away from treated areas and follow your technician’s advice. Read Pet-Safe Pest Control: How to Protect Cats and Dogs.
5. Do You Rat-Proof Buildings?
Yes, and we recommend proofing as part of every rat treatment. Rats can get through gaps of about 15mm, so we seal holes around pipes, doors, vents and air bricks with rodent-proof materials and fit rat blockers to drains where needed. Contract clients get unlimited minor pest proofing, and we survey and quote for larger proofing projects.
6. Who Is Responsible For Rats In Drains?
It depends on where the defect is. Since October 2011, most shared private sewers and lateral drains have been the responsibility of the water company, while pipes serving only one property within its boundary belong to the owner. In rented homes, drain defects are usually the landlord’s responsibility. We can check drains, fit rat blockers and arrange CCTV drain surveys. Read Rats in drains UK: what homeowners need to do now.
7. What Should I Do If I Find Rats In A Restaurant Or Office?
Call us straight away and do not try to handle rats yourself. In a food business, stop using affected areas, protect or throw away contaminated food, clean affected surfaces and keep a record of what you found and did, as an environmental health officer may ask to see it. We offer same-day visits for restaurant pest control and office pest control across London.
8. What Do Rat Droppings Look Like?
Rat droppings are dark brown, about 12-18mm long and capsule-shaped with blunt ends. They are usually found in groups along walls, near food and in hidden corners. Mouse droppings are smaller, about 3-6mm, with pointed ends. Fresh droppings are soft and shiny, a sign of an active infestation.
9. How Do Rats Get Into Buildings?
Rats can squeeze through gaps of about 15mm, roughly the width of a thumb. They get in through damaged drains and broken pipes, gaps around pipes and cables, under doors and through damaged air bricks and vents. They are also good climbers and can reach roofs and upper floors.
10. How Can I Book Rat Control With BioWise?
Call 0800 988 3568, message us on WhatsApp on 07888 866505 or contact us online to book a free survey. Our team also handles mice control, and you can see all our rodent control services.