Last year Cleankill surveyor Mark Hobbs was called out to a private house complaining of hearing rats in an extension void. Rats had been seen externally so Mark investigated the drains. The original manhole had been buried under the extension, but a new mini manhole outside showed evidence of rats. A new construction site next door indicated where the problem may have been originating from. A rodding cap was installed and the problem appeared solved.
However, recently a further call was received as rats were once again being seen in the garden area. The rodding cap was still in place and there were no droppings on the benching. However, our customer reported that an elderly couple three doors up (the other side of the construction site) had reported rats. Mark had a discussion with the couple, both in their 80’s, who explained they had gone to a big well-known pest control company about 2 months ago who had been continually treating and they had spent over £2000 so far. Mark says the house smelt of rats and he immediately found a rat nest in an understairs cupboard which had been there some considerable time. The rodding cap was missing and evidence of rats was in the drains. None of this had been checked by the other firm. Mark is returning next week to fit a rat valve and to help the elderly couple. He will also be given contact details for the empty refurbished property which may help solve the returning rat problem.
We look beyond the initial problem in order to solve problems, not just look at customers as a means of profit…