Reindeers Not Rats! 5 Tips for a Rodent Free Christmas

Christmas is coming, the rats are getting fat…

Not exactly the most festive or joyous of messages, but certainly an accurate one if the upward trend in rodent activity seen over the past few months and years is to continue.

The Christmas season is a chance to relax, let your hair down, and have some fun, but nothing ruins the party quite like dealing with a rat problem at the start of the new year! Unfortunately, if sensible precautions aren’t taken, this will be the reality for many homeowners across the country.

The number of rats in towns and cities across the UK has risen significantly in recent times, with our technicians tackling a record number of rodent related call-outs throughout 2025.

Only this week, our managing director Chris Cagienard was interviewed on Radio Scotland discussing the rise in rodent activity in Glasgow in particular, and was quick to highlight the direct connection between a rise in litter and a rise in pest activity.

With the situation already extremely serious, a further rise in the amount of waste being irresponsible disposed of could have a devastating impact in the battle to protect human health and keep rats and other pest species at bay.

With the food and drink flowing freely, the Christmas season is notorious for the amount of waste it produces, and improper disposal of this waste may well lead to a further escalation of the current rodent problem.

However, by taking just a few simply sensible steps during the festivities, you can significantly reduce your chances of being the victim of a rodent infestation. Our pest control experts have put their heads together and come up with 5 top Pest Solutions tips to help you enjoy a rodent free Christmas and a happy pest free New Year.

Top Tip 1 – Clear away leftovers

With the old Christmas dinner coma in full effect, it is easy to collapse on the sofa and forget all about your dirty dishes and leave the leftover clean-up for boxing day.

It might not be your favourite new Christmas tradition, but it is worth hauling yourself up and making the effort to clean away your leftover food, store is securely in an outdoor bin with the lid firmly in place and stacking the dishwasher before you collapse with your glass of eggnog.

Uncovered food ‘waste’ even the scraps, are highly attractive to rats and mice, and leaving them uncovered inside or around your property is an open invitation for unwanted house guests to make themselves at home.

Top Tip 2 – Work with your neighbours

Christmas is a time for sharing and spreading good will after all!

Whilst your neighbours would probably rather receive a bottle of sherry than some pest control advice, working together as a community is essential to keeping rodents at bay.

After all, no matter how secure your bin lids may be or careful you are to dispose of waste correctly, if other nearly property owners aren’t quite so responsible, rodents are still likely to be attracted to the area and it may end up being you who pays the price.

Top Tip 3 – Store food correctly

Rodents aren’t the most hospitable of house guests and certainly aren’t polite enough to wait until you have had your fill before tucking into the Christmas goodies.

Once opened, make sure to store any food stuffs away in sealed containers that cannot be accessed by any rodents who may be sniffing about in the vicinity. Don’t worry, Santa is more than capable of opening a Tupperware to access his mince pie on Christmas night!

Easy access to food is one an absolute essential for rodents seeking a viable nesting site, and by limiting potential sources you can reduce the risk that your home will be deemed as a suitable spot.

Top Tip 4 – Don’t forget the tree (No not that one!)

When the weather outside is frightful, it can be tempting to stay tucked up warm and leave the garden maintenance for the spring.

However, keeping your garden tidy is just as important as keeping the inside of your home tidy when it comes to rodent prevention.

Piles of leaf litter and other debris are ideal spots for rodents to hide, so make sure that these aren’t allowed to accumulate close to your property and any that have are promptly cleared away.

You should also trim the branches (or get a pro to do it) of any trees or bushes growing too close to your home. These branches can act as bridges for rats and grey squirrels in particular that they will use to access the roof and attic of your property.

Top Tip 5 – Don’t ignore the bump in the night

Santa isn’t the only one sneaking around in the middle of the night! Rats and mice are nocturnal creatures in the main and are far more active after nightfall.

If you hear scratching or scuttling noises coming from your walls, or ceiling, the chances are that it isn’t reindeer that you can hear.

If you do hear such sounds or see any of the other tell-tale signs of rodent activity (check out our guide to spotting rats) make sure to contact a professional BPCA approved pest controller as soon as possible.

Ignoring the problem really isn’t a very good idea and can turn what is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year into a complete nightmare if rapid professional action isn’t taken.

Our pest control advice isn’t just for Christmas!

With a predictable rise in the amount of waste being produced and the colder weather driving rodents indoors, the Christmas season is particularly high-risk when it comes to pest infestations.

However, we deal with rodents all year round and following the basic advice provided in this article should be standard practice all year round to protect your property, and those inside it from the serious threat that these species pose.

In fact, the only chance we have as a population of reversing the worrying trends in rodent numbers recorded over the last few years is a seismic shift in public behaviour and education, especially in regards to waste disposal.

Arrange professional rat control with Pest Solutions

Whilst your actions can certainly help to reduce the risk of rodent problems, not all infestations are the direct consequence of human activity.

Sometimes there is just nothing you can do that will prevent rats, mice or squirrels from choosing your property as their new home, and once they have moved in, professional pest control services are essential to a quick and safe resolution.

Don’t let rodents ruin your Christmas! If you have seen any signs of rodent activity in or around your home or business, get in touch with the BPCA accredited pest control professionals at Pest Solutions as soon as possible.

Our team will carry out a tried and tested assessment to determine the location and extent of the problem before conducting a multi-visit treatment plan designed to remove all traces of the infestation from the property.

To learn more, or to arrange a FREE survey, contact Pest Solutions today on 0800 027 2555.