Goodwood straddles Voortrekker Road, with older family homes on the quiet streets and shops, workshops and takeaways on the main drag. We get a fair split between householders with mice in the roof and businesses fighting cockroaches.
Rats in Goodwood: outside rooms and the railway reserve
Goodwood's rats split between the houses and Voortrekker Road. In the residential streets, Norway rats burrow under outside rooms, Wendy houses and garden sheds in the big backyards of post-war homes, and roof rats get into ceilings at the eaves. Along Voortrekker Road, the takeaways, motor workshops and shops with flats above give rats food and shelter all year.
The railway reserve and the open ground along the N1 act as corridors between the two. We bait outside in lockable stations, trap in roofs, and look under outbuildings for burrows. Filling in burrows and checking whether they reopen is a good way to see whether the treatment is working.
The area is flat and fairly built-up, sitting between the N1 and the railway line. Summers get hot and dry once you move inland from the coast, and winters are wet and cold. Open ground near the railway and the N1 lets rodents move about.
Mice and rats in roofs, German cockroaches in businesses and flats, and Argentine ants in summer are the bulk of our Goodwood calls.
Which rat is in your Goodwood home?
Brown rat
Rattus norvegicus- Norway rat
- Sewer rat
- Family Muridae
- Body
- Heavy and thickset
- Nose
- Blunt and rounded
- Ears
- Small, furry, close to head
- Tail
- Shorter than its body
- Weight
- 250 to 500 g
- Droppings
- Up to 2 cm, blunt ends
- Burrow holes along walls, under paving and sheds
- Greasy rub marks low down along skirting and walls
- Gnawed bins, compost heaps and pet food bags
- Coming up through drains and broken sewer pipes
Black rat
Rattus rattus- Roof rat
- Ship rat
- Family Muridae
- Body
- Slim and agile
- Nose
- Pointed
- Ears
- Large, thin, almost bare
- Tail
- Longer than its body
- Weight
- 150 to 250 g
- Droppings
- About 1.2 cm, pointed
- Scratching and running in the ceiling at night
- Droppings in the roof space, cupboards and on beams
- Chewed cables, insulation and ceiling boards
- Running along fences, power lines and tree branches
ActiveBusierPeak, as rats move indoors in the cold, wet winter
Something most people miss
People often block the hole the rat used and trap it inside the roof. Always deal with the rats before you seal the last gap.
Loose rat bait is one of the most common causes of pet poisoning. Keep bait in locked stations, and keep your vet's number on the fridge anyway.
What gives them away
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
Why it matters: Rats spread leptospirosis through their urine, and they can carry salmonella and other diseases onto food surfaces. They gnaw on electrical cables in roofs, which can start fires, and chew through water pipes and geyser fittings. Rats also bite, especially when cornered or when a small child or sleeping person is involved. A couple of rats can become dozens within a season because they breed fast.
What happens when we come out
First we identify the rat and track its route, because a roof rat problem is solved at the roof line and a Norway rat problem at ground level and in the drains. In the roof and inside the house we prefer heavy-duty snap traps, so there is no smell from a rat dying in the ceiling. Outdoors we use lockable, tamper-resistant bait stations, positioned along runs and fixed so they cannot be moved, and we do a bait risk assessment where pets, children or owls are around. Then we proof: steel mesh over vents, sealing gaps around pipes and cables, and advice on trimming branches. Burrows are treated and collapsed after the colony is dealt with.
- Identify the rat
We look at droppings, tracks and entry points to tell a roof rat from a Norway rat.
- Find the runs
We trace the routes from nest to food, inside and outside the property.
- Traps and stations
Snap traps go inside and locked bait stations outside, placed on the actual runs.
- Proofing
Gaps, vents and roof entry points are closed with steel mesh and cement.
- Follow-up check
We return to check traps and stations, adjust the plan and leave a report.
Prevention that actually works
- Store feed and bird seed in metal bins with tight lids.
- Do not leave building rubble or wood piles against the house for months.
- Trim back trees and creepers at least a metre from the roof, because roof rats jump from them.
- Pick up fallen fruit, avocados and pet food every evening.
- Keep compost in a closed bin and do not add meat or cooked food.
How much will it cost?
Price depends on the size of the property, which rat species you have and how many entry points need proofing. A roof rat problem with lots of overhanging trees takes more proofing work than a single burrow in the garden. Follow-up visits are part of most rat jobs and are included in the free quote.
One rat in a garden shed can be caught with a decent snap trap and some patience. Rats in the roof are smart and cautious, and loose poison from the shop often ends with a smell in the ceiling and a sick dog, so I would call someone in once they are in the house.
Frequently asked questions
Will poison make the rats smell in the ceiling?
It can, which is why we prefer traps in the roof and keep bait in outside stations.
Why do I hear scratching in my Goodwood ceiling at night?
It is usually roof rats or mice, which are active at night. Check for droppings in the roof, and send us a photo on WhatsApp so we can confirm what you're dealing with.
Can you get rid of rats near a river or canal?
Yes, but properties near water usually need ongoing stations and good proofing, because new rats keep arriving.
Are rats dangerous to my children?
Rats can bite and spread disease through urine and droppings, so it is worth dealing with them quickly.
Do rats from the railway line get into Goodwood homes?
The railway reserve gives rats a corridor, and homes nearby can see more of them. Bait stations along your boundary and sealing gaps at the house keep most of them out.
How are rats getting into my roof?
Roof rats climb trees, walls and cables and squeeze in under roof tiles, fascia boards or through open eaves.
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