We have supersized rats under the decking at home - what should we do?

We moved into a new home recently and on day two, I was standing with a cup of tea in the kitchen looking out to the garden and spotted a huge rat running across the grass.

I didn't think anything else of it, but the next day I was looking and I saw a number of rats bounding about out there.

I have a young son, and my wife freaked out when she saw them, and we haven't been able to let him play outside.

The garden has decking by the back door, and I realised that the previous owners had patched up gaps by leaving plant pots to mask them. It appears the rats have nested under there.

The sellers would have surely known about the problem.

What is the best way to go about removing the rats and ensuring they don't come back? Do we need to remove the decking? And should the sellers have to pay to remedy it?

Jane Denton, of the Daily Mail, replies: David Parnell, one of the experts I spoke to this week, said the biggest rat he had seen in his pest control career was 20 inches long.

David, previously a mechanical engineer, told me he was unsurprised that 22 inch 'super rats' are being found in Britain, adding that rats are opportunistic mammals.

Just like people overindulge on takeaways, rats will gorge on whatever is available, meaning some are getting very big indeed. David expects rats to keep getting bigger.

David thinks rats are thriving in Britain for a number of reasons, including a growing takeaway culture, weak sewer infrastructure and shoddy waste management, including people insisting throwing waste out of car windows, and water firms failing to maintain ageing systems.

Many of the call-outs he receives about rats are drainage related.

Before buying your house, the seller would have been under a legal obligation to provide accurate information about their property to you, including if they were aware of it, the rat infestation.

Documents like the TA6 form are completed by the seller and designed to give the buyer key information on the property.

If the seller provides incorrect or incomplete information, you, as the affected buyer, could potentially make a claim for compensation against the seller, particularly if you asked them directly about rats before completion.

While you have suspicions, you do not know for certain whether the seller knew or did not know about the rats. It would be a challenge to prove the seller knew about the infestation and secure compensation. It will be quicker and easier to deal with the issue yourself.

I asked two pest control experts for their thoughts on your problem.

David Parnell, who runs Pest Control Hertfordshire, says: Resolving rat problems is all about using common sense and once a few simple facts about their needs are known, it becomes a walk in the park. Of course the pest control industry doesn't want you to know that!

Rat problems in urban gardens are very common. It's usually an indication a suitable environment exists allowing them to survive and thrive.

Rats require food, water and somewhere sheltered to live, with the latter being under your decking. It is important to establish where their food and water sources are.

Remove any bird feeding paraphernalia immediately.

Insecure compost heaps and poor household waste management can also exacerbate an infestation.

Keep waste sacks in secure undamaged lidded bins.

If you recycle make sure it's clean and not contaminated with food residue.

Fallen fruit from trees and uncleared dog waste must also be removed if present.

If possible, try to remove or invert anything that is likely to hold rain water in the garden, including plant trays.

If you have a pond, it might be an idea to try and cover it with chicken wire or a wired frame.

Rodent teeth are as hard and as sharp as a chef's knife, so factor this in if undertaking any kind of rodent-proofing.

Another issue which is often overlooked and on the increase is rats escaping the sewer and around manholes.

There could be a defective manhole under your decking or elsewhere nearby, so I would certainly be lifting part of it to see what is going on.

Read More

With all the above issues located and addressed, your rat infestation will be unsustainable and dissipate quickly.

The use of any toxic substance like rat poison should always be considered a last resort and if you have undertaken all of my suggestions above, then you should already have the issue under control.

Poisoned rodents are highly toxic and will seriously harm and even kill whatever eats them, including domestic animals, foxes and birds of prey.

Secure rat boxes containing un-baited rat traps and positioned close to active runs is always a much safer alternative.

As for whether the previous owner might have been aware of your plight? This might be very difficult to prove.

Niall Gallagher, technical manager at British Pest Control Association, says: Whether it's structural defects, pest problems, or anything else that could affect a buyer's decision, full disclosure is required.

Sellers who fail to do so risk legal action, financial loss, and reputational damage.

For buyers, the case highlights the importance of due diligence. A thorough survey, specialist inspections, and clear legal advice can help identify hidden problems before signing contracts.

It can be distressing to discover rats around your property, and they are a public health risk as rats can carry various diseases, so you are right to limit your child's garden time while resolving the infestation.

Rats are excellent climbers and can squeeze through tiny gaps, so one of the first things to do is take preventative steps to protect your home.

Plug any gaps around pipes, cables, nearby doors and windows with mesh or wire wool and quick-drying cement.

Check that inspection covers for drains are in good repair and securely closed, and that any disused pipes are sealed off.

Rubbish bins should have a securely fitting lid which is kept closed at all times. Any food waste should be bagged before going into an outside bin to avoid attracting pests.

Keep outdoor areas clear and tidy. Overgrown patches of weeds, piles of wood and debris can provide nesting sites and routes of travel for rats.

Decking is a well-known nesting site for rats, so while it is drastic to get rid of it, it's definitely an option.

Trim back overhanging branches or climbing plants as these can provide routes into higher roof spaces. This won't get rid of an infestation, but it will help prevent rats moving indoors.

For an already established infestation, contact a qualified pest controller foe help.

Costs of remedying a rat infestation will vary as a well-established infestation may require multiple visits over several weeks using a variety of products and techniques.