Rat Pest Control Ashford

Effective and reliable rat pest control across Kent. Serving all towns and villages including Ashford, Maidstone, Medway, Canterbury, Folkestone and beyond with safe, lasting solutions.

Rats in Kent: What You Need to Know and How to Get Rid of Them

Why rats are such a problem here in Kent

If you live or work in Kent, chances are you’ve come across signs of rats at some point. They’re everywhere — in towns like Ashford, Maidstone and Gillingham, along the coast in Dover and Folkestone, and even in the quietest rural villages. Why? Because Kent offers everything rats love: food, water, shelter, and plenty of places to hide.

As the weather cools in autumn and winter, rats start looking for warmer spaces. That could be your loft, garage, shed, or even the cavity walls of your home. Businesses aren’t safe either — restaurants, warehouses, farms, and shops are all common targets. Left unchecked, a small rat problem can quickly turn into a serious infestation.

The rats you’ll find in Kent

Two species turn up most often in our county:

Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) – These are the big, chunky ones you’ll see around bins, gardens, and fields. They’re strong swimmers, excellent diggers, and the most common rat in the UK.
Black rats (Rattus rattus) – Once widespread, these are rarer now, but we still see them around ports and coastal areas. They’re slimmer, with bigger ears and longer tails than brown rats.

Both species can cause serious issues in homes and businesses, and both need quick action if they move in.

How to spot the signs of a rat problem

Rats are good at staying hidden, but they always leave evidence behind. If you notice any of these, it’s time to take action:

Droppings – small, dark pellets, often found in cupboards, lofts or along skirting boards.
Gnawing – rats constantly chew wood, wires, and even plastic pipes to keep their teeth sharp.
Scratching noises – especially at night, coming from walls, ceilings or under floors.
Smell – a strong, musty ammonia-like odour from urine.
Burrows or holes – often found in gardens, near sheds or compost bins.
Greasy marks – dark smears along walls where rats travel the same routes.

If you’re noticing two or more of these, you almost certainly have rats on the property.

Why rats are more than just a nuisance

It’s not just the unpleasant sight of a rat that should worry you. They bring real risks:

Health hazards – Rats are known carriers of diseases like Weil’s disease (Leptospirosis), Salmonella and E. coli, all of which can spread to humans and pets.
Property damage – Their constant gnawing can damage woodwork, insulation, and even electrical cables, which in turn can cause fires.
Food contamination – Any food or surfaces they touch are unsafe to use.
Reputation damage – For businesses, especially in hospitality or retail, one rat sighting can harm your reputation overnight.

This is why rat problems should never be ignored or left to “see if they go away”.

Why Kent sees so many rat infestations

Kent’s mix of countryside, coast and large towns means rats thrive here year-round. Some of the biggest triggers include:

Cold weather – pushing rats indoors to search for warmth and shelter.
Food waste – bins, takeaways, restaurants and warehouses are perfect feeding grounds.
Farming – barns and animal feed create easy pickings for rural rat populations.
Construction and drainage – building work or broken drains give rats new access routes into properties.

In short: wherever there are people, there are rats — and Kent has plenty of both.

Preventing rats in your home

You don’t need to wait until you hear scratching in the loft to do something. A few simple steps can make your home far less attractive to rats:

Block entry points around pipes, vents and gaps in walls.
Keep food in sealed containers and don’t leave pet food out overnight.
Secure your bins with tight-fitting lids.
Tidy gardens and remove piles of wood, rubbish or debris that make easy nesting spots.
Clear gutters and repair broken drains.

Preventing rats in your business

For businesses in Kent, especially those in food service, warehousing or farming, prevention is even more important. Key steps include:

Regular inspections of storage and delivery areas.
Secure waste management processes.
Staff training to recognise early signs of infestation.
A professional pest control contract to keep rats under control year-round.

Why DIY often isn’t enough

You might be tempted to try traps or poisons from the shop, but the truth is rats are clever and fast-breeding. Without the right approach, DIY attempts often just move the problem around or reduce numbers temporarily.

Professionals like us don’t just get rid of the rats you can see — we identify how they got in, where they’re nesting, and make sure they don’t come back. That’s the real difference.

How Innovation Pest Control tackles rats in Kent

When you call us out, here’s what you can expect:

Full survey – we check your property inside and out to find entry points and nesting sites.
Targeted treatment – using a mix of traps, baits and safe rodenticides where appropriate.
Proofing work – sealing gaps and advising on prevention to keep rats out long term.
Follow-up visits – ensuring the problem is completely dealt with.

Our service is discreet, effective and always tailored to your property.

Areas we cover in Kent

We provide rat control across the county, including:

Ashford – homes and gardens, especially loft and shed infestations.
Maidstone – high activity around restaurants, warehouses and housing estates.
Medway (Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham) – rats are common in riverside and sewer systems.
Folkestone & Dover – infestations linked to ports, harbours and seafronts.
Rural Kent villages – farms and barns often suffer large infestations without regular control.

Wherever you are, we can be there quickly.

FAQs about rats in Kent

How quickly do rats breed?
A female can produce up to 12 babies per litter and up to 6 litters a year — so numbers multiply fast.

How do I know if I have rats or mice?
Rats are larger with bigger droppings, thicker tails and heavier gnaw marks. Mice are smaller and leave tiny rice-sized droppings.

Can rats harm my pets?
Yes. They can spread diseases and parasites to cats and dogs.

Are rats active only in winter?
No. They’re active all year round, but you see them more indoors in autumn and winter.

How much does rat control cost?
It depends on the size of the infestation and type of property. We offer one-off treatments and ongoing contracts, with prices starting around £400 per month for regular service.

Why choose Innovation Pest Control

Local Kent-based experts with years of experience.

Fully trained and insured technicians.

Safe, discreet and effective treatments.

24/7 emergency callouts available.

Long-term prevention advice included.

Final word

Rats in Kent aren’t just an inconvenience — they’re a serious risk to your health, home and business. The good news is you don’t have to face them alone. With the right mix of treatment and prevention, you can stop rats in their tracks and protect your property for the long term.

If you’ve noticed signs of rats, don’t wait for it to get worse. Get in touch with Innovation Pest Control today and let us help you take back control of your home or business.