- 0191 7166647
- info@pest-shield.co.uk
- Pest Shield North East Ltd Unit 18 Wilden Road Pattinson Industrial Estate Washington NE38 8QB
Pest Shield attended a residential property in Blyth NE24 following reports of persistent rat activity beneath the ground floor.
The customer had been hearing movement beneath the suspended timber floor and was concerned that rats had gained access beneath the property.
A detailed inspection was carried out to identify the source of the infestation before a structured rodent riddance programme was commenced.
Inspection of the property’s external elevations identified a likely point of ingress concealed behind a section of timber decking.
The decking had been constructed directly in front of the external wall, creating a sheltered route that allowed rats to move alongside the property without being exposed. Hidden behind the decking, a plastic (PVC) air brick providing ventilation to the suspended timber floor had been extensively gnawed, creating an opening large enough for rats to enter the sub-floor void.
Although the damaged air brick was strongly suspected to be the access point, tracking dust was applied around the vent and beneath the suspended floor to confirm the theory before any proofing work was undertaken.
At the follow-up inspection, clear rat footprints were present within the tracking dust, confirming that the gnawed air brick was being actively exploited as the primary point of ingress.
The combination of the sheltered decking, damaged ventilation grille and positive tracking dust evidence allowed the entry route to be identified with confidence.
A structured rodent riddance programme was completed before any proofing works commenced.
Confirming the active ingress point using tracking dust ensured that proofing would be carried out in the correct location rather than relying on assumption.
Once all treatment had been completed and the infestation had been assessed as functionally over, the damaged PVC air brick was permanently protected using a stainless steel air brick cover.
The new cover restored essential ventilation to the suspended timber floor while preventing future rodent access through the vulnerable vent.
Following completion of the riddance programme and installation of the stainless steel air brick cover, the confirmed point of ingress was permanently eliminated.
The customer reported no further rodent activity, and no additional evidence was identified during subsequent inspections.
The infestation was assessed as functionally over.
This investigation demonstrates why inspection is far more valuable than simply treating the symptoms of a rodent infestation.
Although the damaged air brick appeared suspicious during the initial inspection, proofing was deliberately delayed until tracking dust confirmed it was actively being used by rats.
The timber decking also played an important role by providing sheltered access to the vulnerable vent, allowing rats to gnaw through the plastic air brick without being exposed.
Had the vent simply been covered at the first visit, rodents already beneath the suspended floor could have become trapped inside the property.
By combining detailed inspection, tracking dust, a structured riddance programme and permanent proofing, the infestation was eliminated while significantly reducing the likelihood of future rodent ingress.
Property Type: Residential Property
Location: Blyth, Northumberland NE24
Services Provided: Rat Control, Rodent Investigation, Tracking Dust Monitoring, Rodent Proofing, Stainless Steel Air Brick Cover Installation
