Rat A rat can squeeze through a gap around the size of a 50 pence coin, which makes finding and sealing every possible entry point a genuine challenge. In Sudbury, where many buildings are older with settled brickwork and original features, there tend to be more of these gaps than in newer construction.
Common entry points around the property
- Damaged or uncovered airbricks at ground level
- Gaps around pipework and cables where they enter the building
- Poorly fitted or worn door thresholds, particularly on older external doors
- Cracks or gaps in brickwork, render or foundations
- Damaged drain covers or gaps where drains meet the property
- Gaps at the roofline, including around soffits, fascias and damaged tiles
- Vents and ducting without adequate mesh or covers
Why older Sudbury properties can be more vulnerable
Buildings that have settled over many years often develop small cracks and gaps that were never there originally, while period features, extensions and repairs over time can create additional routes that are not always obvious from a casual look around the property. Adjoining or terraced buildings can also allow rats to travel between properties through shared voids and cavities.
Checking your own property
A useful starting point is to walk the perimeter of your property looking for gaps at ground level, around pipework and near the roofline, but a thorough check often needs a trained eye to spot less obvious routes, particularly in lofts, cellars and voids.
It also helps to think about the season. Gaps that seem harmless in summer can become more attractive to rats in autumn and winter as they look for warmth, so a check carried out before the colder months can catch potential entry points before they get used.
Shared walls and adjoining buildings in Sudbury's town centre and terraced streets add a further complication, since an entry point does not have to be on your own property to become your problem. Rats moving through a shared void can end up in a neighbouring building entirely.
If you would like a professional assessment of how rats might be getting into your Sudbury property, Green Pest Control offers free, no-obligation quotations as part of our inspection and rat-proofing service. Call 01502 630 122 to arrange a visit.
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