Rat control in Hackney
Treat brown rats in and around buildings, and find the drain defects or gaps that let them in. We cover homes, rented properties and businesses across Hackney, including Dalston, Shacklewell, De Beauvoir Town and Haggerston.
Where rats turn up in Hackney
Victorian terraced houses and conversions in Stoke Newington, Lower Clapton and South Hackney
Old clay drains, broken air bricks and suspended timber floors give rats routes from the sewer and back yard into older terraced homes.
Converted warehouses and new-build flats in Hackney Wick, Hoxton and Shoreditch
Bin stores, bin chutes and ground-floor service voids attract rats to blocks of flats, where overflowing waste gives them a steady food supply.
Shared houses and rented flats in Dalston, Homerton and Stamford Hill
Overflowing shared bins, rubbish left out between tenancies and unrepaired drains make rats a recurring problem in shared houses and flats.
Street markets and restaurant kitchens in Dalston, Hoxton and Shoreditch
Food waste, deliveries and back-of-house bin areas draw rats to restaurants, takeaways and markets, where a single sighting can threaten a hygiene rating.
Canalside homes and boat moorings in Haggerston, De Beauvoir Town and Hackney Wick
Riverbanks, canal edges and sewers are natural rat habitat, and brown rats swim well enough to follow drains into nearby buildings.
Homes near marshes, commons and parks in Homerton, Upper Clapton and South Hackney
Dense vegetation, banks that are easy to burrow into and food left by visitors support rats at the edges of parks and open spaces.
Signs to look for
Large droppings
Dark, spindle-shaped droppings around 10–14 mm long, often in groups along walls, near bins or in lofts.
Burrows and runs
Holes in soil banks, under decking, sheds or paving, with worn paths through grass and greasy smears along walls where rats travel.
Gnawing damage
Chewed doors, skirting, pipes, cables or bin lids, often with rough edges and coarse tooth marks.
Noises and footprints
Heavy scratching or gnawing in walls, floors and ceilings at night, and footprints or tail marks in dust or mud.
How it works
Tell us what you’ve seen
Call or email with the pest, the type of property and your postcode. A technician can explain the process before anyone visits.
Find the source
The visit starts with the signs: identifying the pest, where it is nesting and how it is getting in.
Treat the problem
Treatment uses professional-use products and methods chosen for the pest and the property, with clear safety advice.
Keep it from coming back
You get advice on proofing and hygiene. Businesses can choose one-off visits or a regular service programme.
Local pages in Hackney
Further reading
Let’s talk about the problem.
Tell us what you’ve seen, the property type and your postcode.