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Rodent Prevention: A Recent Job & Some Homeowner Tips

Category: Holiday

Published: 03 July, 2026

By Modest – Owner of MA Pest Control

What I Walked Into

July is not usually the first month people think about rodents, but I still get plenty of calls about mice and rats around London during the summer.

A couple of weeks ago, I got a call from a homeowner who had started hearing scratching sounds behind the kitchen wall in the evenings.

At first, they thought it might be a pipe. Then they found droppings under the sink and realised something else was going on.

When I arrived, the property looked clean and well maintained. There was nothing obvious from the outside that suggested a major rodent problem.

But once I started checking the kitchen and the exterior of the house, the signs were there. The droppings under the sink were fresh, and I found chewing around a pipe entry point behind one of the kitchen cupboards.

Outside, there were also a few areas around the property that gave rodents shelter and easy access.

The Problem

A lot of people associate rodents with winter, but summer can be active too.

What we found was not one dramatic issue. It was a few small things working together.

The biggest problem was access. There was a small gap around a utility pipe entering the property. It did not look like much, but mice do not need much space to get inside.

There was also clutter stored along the side of the house. Piles of materials and overgrown vegetation can give rodents a protected place to hide during the day.

Another issue was food. The homeowner had bird seed stored in an outdoor shed, and there were signs that rodents had been feeding nearby.

The scratching they were hearing in the evenings was coming from movement inside the wall cavity. Once rodents find a route they like, they will usually keep using it unless something changes.

This was not a severe infestation, but it was exactly the kind of problem that can get worse if it is ignored.

The Process

I started with a full inspection inside and outside the property.

I checked the kitchen cupboards, utility areas, pipe entry points, loft access, exterior walls, garden structures, and the places where the homeowner had noticed activity.

Once I understood where the rodents were moving, I put a treatment plan in place to deal with the active problem safely and properly.

I also showed the homeowner the access points I had found. The gap around the pipe needed to be sealed, and I explained why even a small opening can become a regular route inside.

Outside, we talked about reducing clutter near the house and keeping stored items raised off the ground where possible.

The point is not just to deal with the rodents that are already there. The point is to remove the conditions that allowed them to get comfortable in the first place.

The Outcome

Within the first week, the scratching noises stopped completely.

The homeowner told me the evenings felt quieter, and they no longer felt the need to check under the sink every morning.

On the follow-up, there were no new droppings in the areas where we had found activity before.

They also made the changes we discussed outside, including clearing some of the clutter and securing the storage areas.

The biggest difference was peace of mind. Once the noises stopped and the signs disappeared, they could stop worrying about what was happening behind the walls.

DIY Advice

Here are a few things I recommend homeowners check around their own property:

1. Look around pipes, vents, cables, doors, and exterior walls for small gaps.

2. Keep outdoor storage areas tidy and avoid leaving clutter directly against the house.

3. Store bird seed, pet food, and rubbish securely.

4. Trim vegetation back from exterior walls so rodents have less cover.

5. Pay attention to early warning signs like scratching, droppings, chewing marks, or unusual smells.

These steps will not solve every rodent problem, but they can make a property much less attractive to mice and rats.

"It's brighter than before!"

— Megan

Professional Insight

Rodent problems often start quietly.

Most homeowners do not call because they have seen lots of mice. They usually call because they heard a noise, found a few droppings, or noticed something unusual.

What I often find is that the rodents are only part of the issue. There is usually an access point, a food source, or a sheltered area that allows the activity to start.

That is why proper rodent control is not just about trapping. It is about understanding how they are getting in and why they are staying.

Once those things are corrected, long-term prevention becomes much more effective.

Closing Thoughts

That London job was a good reminder that rodent prevention is not only a winter concern.

Many of the things that attract rodents are present all year round, and summer is often when homeowners start noticing the signs.

If you're hearing scratching sounds, finding droppings, or seeing signs of rodent activity around your home, it is worth investigating early.

If you're in London and want someone to take a proper look, feel free to get in touch. I am always happy to give straightforward advice and help identify what is causing the issue.