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- info@pest-shield.co.uk
- Pest Shield North East Ltd Unit 18 Wilden Road Pattinson Industrial Estate Washington NE38 8QB
Pest Shield was instructed to investigate ongoing reports of rat activity affecting both the loft space and suspended ground floor sub-floor of a residential property.
The homeowner had experienced repeated rodent problems and had obtained CCTV footage showing live rats within both structural voids. Previous pest control treatments had reduced activity temporarily, but the infestation continued to return, indicating that the underlying cause had not been identified.
A comprehensive inspection confirmed active rodent activity within both the loft and sub-floor voids.
Significant accumulations of rat droppings were identified beneath the suspended timber floor, indicating that the infestation had been established for some time rather than resulting from a recent isolated ingress. Historic contamination and evidence of gnawing were also present within the loft space.
To establish how rodents were accessing the property, a CCTV drain survey was carried out.
Although no major structural collapse was identified within the accessible drainage runs, two defects were discovered:
Both defects presented credible routes for rodents to travel from the sewer system into the building.
A structured rodent riddance programme was commenced using secured Rodilon bait placements within the loft and suspended floor voids. Rascal Brodifacoum wax blocks and monitoring materials were also installed within the drainage system to assess rodent movement.
During the first follow-up visit, all internal bait had been consumed, confirming continued activity. However, no significant rodent movement was detected within the accessible inspection chambers.
Further investigation of the property’s drainage history led to the discovery of a previously unidentified redundant drain connection leading towards the public sewer. Interestingly, this pipework did not appear on the available drainage plans, suggesting an older redundant connection that had remained undocumented.
Following discussions with the homeowner, Northumbrian Water attended site to carry out a joint investigation.
The joint inspection confirmed that the redundant drainage connection had collapsed, providing rodents with direct access from the public sewer into the property.
As the defective pipework formed part of Northumbrian Water’s infrastructure, they installed a drain bung to permanently isolate the redundant line and prevent any further rodent ingress.
Following completion of these works, rodent activity ceased.
A final follow-up inspection confirmed there was no further bait take or evidence of rodent movement. All accessible Rodilon was removed from the property, and a thorough search for rodent bodies was carried out with none found.
The infestation was assessed as functionally over.
Recurring rat infestations are not always caused by obvious defects around a property.
In this case, repeated baiting alone would never have resolved the problem because the true point of ingress was a hidden redundant drainage connection that did not appear on official drainage records.
By combining a detailed property inspection, CCTV drain survey, structured monitoring and joint working with Northumbrian Water, the underlying cause was identified and permanently addressed.
This investigation highlights the importance of identifying how rodents are entering a property rather than simply treating the symptoms.
Property Type: Residential Property
Location: Sunderland, Tyne & Wear
Services Provided: Rat Control, CCTV Drain Survey, Drainage Investigation, Rodent Monitoring, Proofing Recommendations, Liaison with Northumbrian Water
