West Bridgford sits right beside one of the largest rivers in England. The Trent is a big part of what makes the area so pleasant, from the Embankment and Victoria Embankment gardens to the walks towards Holme Pierrepont. It also supports a healthy population of brown rats, which live along riverbanks, in the drainage network and around the sports grounds, allotments and gardens nearby. For most of the year you would hardly know they were there. When the river is high and the ground is saturated, that can change.

November is often one of the wettest months of the year in the East Midlands. This guide explains why heavy rain and high river levels push rats towards homes, the signs to look for after a wet spell, and the practical steps that reduce the chances of a problem.

Why high water moves rats

Brown rats are strong swimmers and are perfectly happy near water, but they need dry burrows to nest and raise young. Rats living in banks, embankments and low-lying ground dig burrow systems that can flood when the water table rises. Rats living in sewers face a similar problem when drains run full after a downpour. In both cases, the animals move to higher, drier ground, and the nearest dry ground is often gardens, sheds, decking, garages and the voids under houses.

Flooding also disturbs food supplies. Rats that were feeding along the riverbank or in drains will explore further to find something to eat, and a garden bird feeder, compost bin or open food waste caddy is an easy option.

Signs of rats after heavy rain

Keep an eye out for the following, particularly in the days and weeks after a wet spell:

  • New burrows. Holes of around 6 to 9 centimetres across, often with a fan of loose soil at the entrance, under sheds, decking, paving edges, compost bins and along fence lines.
  • Runs. Flattened, well-used paths through grass or along the base of walls and fences.
  • Droppings. Dark, capsule-shaped droppings roughly 10 to 14 millimetres long, often found in small groups.
  • Gnawing. Chewed shed doors, garden furniture cushions, plastic bins and the lids of compost bins.
  • Smear marks. Dark, greasy marks along walls, pipes and gaps where rats regularly brush past.
  • Sightings in daylight. Rats are mostly nocturnal. Seeing one during the day can suggest a larger population or that the animals have been displaced and are under pressure.

Drains: the hidden route indoors

Many of the rat problems we see inside homes start in the drains rather than the garden. A damaged or disused pipe, a cracked joint, or an old connection left open during a kitchen or bathroom refit can give rats a direct route from the sewer into wall cavities and under floors. High flows after heavy rain can make rats more active in the drainage system and more likely to find these weak points.

Signs of a drain-related problem include scratching in walls or boxed-in soil pipes, activity around the bathroom or kitchen with no obvious outdoor entry point, and rats appearing near manhole covers or inspection chambers. A CCTV drain survey carried out by a drainage specialist can confirm defects, and non-return valves can be fitted in suitable cases to stop rats travelling up from the sewer.

What West Bridgford residents can do

In the garden

  • Stop feeding birds on the ground and use feeders with trays that catch spilled seed. Consider pausing bird feeding for a few weeks if you have seen rats.
  • Keep compost bins closed, sited on a solid base or a fine wire mesh, and avoid adding cooked food, meat, fish or bread.
  • Clear clutter such as stacked timber, old pots and piles of garden waste, which give rats cover.
  • Check the base of sheds and decking for new holes and gaps.
  • Keep lids on wheelie bins and food waste caddies at all times. If your bin lid is damaged, check with your council about a replacement.

Around the house

  • Check air bricks and vents for damage and gaps.
  • Seal holes around pipes and cables where they enter the building.
  • Make sure the covers on inspection chambers and gullies are intact and fitted correctly.
  • If you have had building work done recently, ask whether any old drain connections were capped off properly.

Health and safety after flooding

If your garden or property has been affected by flood water, treat any debris with care. Rats can carry diseases, including leptospirosis, which can be passed on through urine in water and damp soil. Wear gloves when clearing up, cover cuts and grazes, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Do not handle dead rats with bare hands.

Why rats should not be ignored

Rats breed quickly and can cause serious damage. They gnaw through wiring, plastic pipes, insulation and timber, and they contaminate food and surfaces. Once rats find a reliable food source and a sheltered place to nest, they tend to stay. A few sightings in the garden in November can become an established colony by spring if nothing is done.

We would also advise against putting down over-the-counter poison in gardens. It rarely deals with the cause, and it can harm pets, birds of prey and other wildlife. Professional treatment follows the UK rodenticide stewardship rules and is planned around the site, children, pets and non-target animals.

When to call us

Call us if you have seen rats more than once, found active burrows, or suspect rats are getting into the house through the drains. We cover West Bridgford, the rest of Nottingham and the surrounding towns seven days a week, and our free pest identification service can help if you are not sure what you have seen. Find out more about our rat control service or request a personal quote.