Size tells you the species, location tells you the route, and freshness tells you whether it is happening now. Photograph them before you clean.
12–18mm, dark, tapered at the ends — spindle-shaped. Mouse droppings are much smaller: 3–6mm, about the size of a grain of rice.
Photograph them before clearing. They tell us the species, roughly how many, how recent it is, and which route is being used.
| Rat | Mouse | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 12–18mm | 3–6mm |
| Shape | Tapered, spindle-shaped | Blunt, rice-shaped |
| Quantity | ~40 a day | ~80 a day, more scattered |
| Placement | Concentrated on a route | Scattered widely |
| Typical location | Under sink, subfloor, loft, near drains, garden | Kitchen units, under floors, wall cavities |
The price is the same either way — £190 flat, £240 house — but the approach and the entry points differ, so it is worth knowing.
| Where you found them | What it points to |
|---|---|
| Under the kitchen sink | Entry around pipe penetrations or from the subfloor |
| Behind or under kitchen appliances | The under-unit void — a very common run |
| In the loft | Overhead route via cavity or eaves — could be rats or squirrels |
| Under floorboards or by an airbrick | Subfloor void — check the airbricks |
| Near an extension join | The join between old and new brickwork |
| In the shed or garage | External activity, often garden-fed |
| Beside a drain or gulley | Possible defective drainage |
| In a cupboard with stored food | They have found the food store |
See our full rat control service, published prices and what treatment involves in a family home.
View Rat Control Kenton →This matters more in a house with children, and it is worth doing properly rather than quickly.
Leptospirosis is uncommon but real, and it is the reason for the gloves and the hand-washing rather than a general caution.
Frustrating, and worth doing. Contamination is not visible.
Any fresh droppings mean a live rat. A rat produces around forty a day, so a small number usually means recent rather than minor.
In a loft, possibly. Squirrel droppings are rounder and more barrel-shaped, around 8–10mm.
If you rent, yes — in writing with photographs.
Buzzing rather than droppings? Wasp nests are £90 fixed cost in Kenton, guaranteed.
12–18mm, dark and tapered at the ends. Mouse droppings are 3–6mm, about the size of a grain of rice.
Fresh droppings are dark, soft and slightly shiny. Old ones are grey, dry and crumble.
Yes. They tell us the species, roughly how many, how recent it is, and which route is being used.
No. Dampen them with disinfectant first rather than raising dust, and wear disposable gloves.
Leptospirosis is uncommon but real. Gloves, no dry sweeping, and thorough hand-washing are the sensible precautions.
Anything open in an affected cupboard, anything with gnawed packaging, and pet food from an opened bag. Contamination is not visible.
Any fresh droppings mean a live rat. A rat produces around forty a day.
Possibly. Squirrel droppings are rounder and barrel-shaped, around 8–10mm.
Photograph them, then clean up safely. Send us the picture and we will tell you what you are dealing with.
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