At DMI Draincare & Groundworks, we specialise in addressing this exact dilemma. Our unique approach combines drainage expertise with pest control, making sure rats are removed and prevented from returning. This guide will help you understand the difference between pest control and drainage services, when to call each, and how modern tools like CCTV drain surveys for rodent entry can pinpoint problems.
Why Rats Choose Drains as Their Entry Point
Rats are incredibly resourceful creatures. In cities and towns, the sewer and drainage systems provide dark, damp, and hidden routes into homes and businesses. Drains often become highways for rodents moving between food sources and shelter.
When drains are damaged, blocked, or improperly sealed, rats find easy access underground. This is where a drainage technician for rodent issues becomes critical. Many people underestimate how much rodent infestations are linked to drainage problems, which means they may treat symptoms (rats inside the building) without fixing the root cause.
Signs like foul smells, slow draining, and gurgling noises often indicate a blocked or damaged drainage system. Such conditions can attract rats and make your drains an easy entryway.
Pest Control or Drainage Technician? How to Decide
Understanding the Difference
A pest control specialist focuses on detecting, controlling, and removing rodents from your property. They use traps, bait stations, and rodenticides tailored to the species and location of the infestation. Their goal is to eliminate the immediate threat and prevent reinfestation inside the property.
On the other hand, a drainage technician for rodent issues inspects, repairs, and maintains the structural integrity of your drainage system. Their job is to ensure that rats can’t use drains as access points. This includes fixing broken pipes, unblocking drains, and sealing gaps.
Many property owners struggle to decide which professional to call first. At DMI Draincare & Groundworks, we provide both services, ensuring a complete solution. We start with a thorough inspection to determine if rats are using the drains to enter your property. This inspection often includes a CCTV drain survey for rodent entry, which uses advanced camera technology to inspect pipes internally.
Common Signs You Need Pest Control or Drainage Help
Knowing the signs of a rat infestation and drainage issues can help you act quickly and appropriately. Some of the key symptoms include:
- Rodent droppings: Found near food sources, under sinks, or in dark corners, fresh droppings are dark and moist, while old ones crumble and turn grey.
- Gnaw marks: Rats use their sharp teeth to chew wood, plastic, and wiring. Fresh bite marks on skirting boards or cupboard edges are warning signs.
- Strange smells: A persistent foul odour can signal both blocked drains and rat infestations.
- Footprints and tracks: Rats tend to follow the same paths, leaving greasy marks, urine stains, or footprints in dust or flour.
- Drain problems: Slow drainage, strange noises, or foul smells from drains suggest blockages or damage that rodents might exploit.
If you see these signs, it’s often a combination of pest control and drainage work that will solve the problem.
How DMI Draincare & Groundworks Handles Rats Underfoot Pest Control or Drainage Technician Issues
We take a three-stage approach to resolve rat infestations related to drainage issues:
1. Detailed Inspection and CCTV Drain Survey
Our first step is to conduct a full investigation of your drainage system. Using industry-leading CCTV technology, we inspect every inch of your drains to identify cracks, blockages, and entry points for rodents.
This process is crucial because rats can access properties through small cracks or broken seals that are invisible to the naked eye. The CCTV survey gives us a clear map of your drainage system and highlights the exact problem areas.
2. Treatment of Infestation
Once we identify entry points and signs of infestation, we begin pest control treatments. Because our technicians are trained in both pest control and drainage services, we can install baiting systems inside drains, target rat nests, and manage the population effectively.
Our treatments are designed to be safe, targeted, and efficient, ensuring that the rats are removed without unnecessary harm to your property or the environment.
3. Root Cause Repair and Prevention
The final stage is to fix the root cause of the infestation. We unblock drains, repair or replace damaged pipes, and seal any access points rats could use.
By combining our specialist drain unblocking services with pest control, we ensure that rats do not return. Maintaining clean, well-functioning drainage systems is essential for long-term rodent prevention.
Why Pest Control for Rats in Drains Is Not Enough Alone
While pest control is effective in removing rats inside your property, if the drainage system remains damaged or blocked, rodents will keep coming back. A single service approach treats symptoms, but not causes.
For example, if rats are entering through a cracked sewer pipe, trapping and baiting will only offer temporary relief. Without repairing the pipe, new rats will find their way in soon.
That’s why a drainage technician for rodent issues is essential in tandem with pest control. The two disciplines must work together.
Benefits of Using CCTV Drain Surveys for Rodent Entry
A CCTV drain survey for rodent entry is a non-invasive, highly effective diagnostic tool. It allows technicians to:
- Locate exact entry points for rats.
- Identify structural faults like cracked pipes or displaced joints.
- Detect blockages that cause waste build-up, attracting rats.
- Plan precise repairs and treatments without guesswork.
This technology saves time and money by targeting the problem directly.
Additional Tips for Preventing Rats in Your Property
- Keep drains clean: Regular unblocking prevents waste build-up.
- Seal external access points: Check around drains and pipes for holes.
- Remove food sources: Keep rubbish bins sealed and clear food scraps.
- Maintain gardens: Trim shrubs and clear debris that rodents use as cover.
- Use professional services regularly: Scheduled inspections reduce infestation risks.
Internal and External Resources
To learn more about our drain unblocking and rodent control services, visit our drain unblocking Selby page. This internal resource provides detailed information about how we keep drains clear and rodent-proof.
For broader pest control advice, the British Pest Control Association is an excellent external source offering guidance on managing rodent infestations safely and effectively.
Conclusion: Don’t Wait — Act Now
Choosing between pest control or a drainage technician doesn’t have to be difficult. At DMI Draincare & Groundworks, we combine both services to provide thorough, effective solutions for rat infestations.
If you notice signs of rats or drainage issues, contact us immediately. Our expert team will conduct a CCTV drain survey for rodent entry, treat infestations, and repair your drains to keep your property rodent-free.
Protect your home or business today. Call DMI Draincare & Groundworks for trusted pest control and drainage solutions.
