What to check first
Before you call a provider, do NEA's own prevention checks. NEA's guidance for residents is to keep your space clean and clutter-free, dispose of rubbish properly in sealed bins, store provisions in tightly sealed glass or thick plastic containers, and clean up food debris promptly, particularly in cooking and dining areas.
Walk the unit looking for gaps. NEA advises residents to seal any gaps or holes that rats might squeeze through, including door gaps, wall cracks, and false ceiling gaps, which should be inspected and sealed regularly. A gap the width of a coin is enough for a mouse.
Note exactly where and when you have seen evidence, and how often. That detail matters both for a provider's quote and for NEA's own reporting process, which asks for the same information.
The likely causes, in order
Accessible food (most common). The most likely cause is accessible food. NEA's guidance for residents is to keep your space clean and clutter-free, dispose of rubbish properly in sealed bins, store provisions in tightly sealed glass or thick plastic containers, and clean up food debris promptly, particularly in cooking and dining areas. Safe check: look under and behind kitchen appliances and in any pet food storage for what has already attracted them.
An entry point (second most common). The second cause is an entry point. NEA advises residents to seal any gaps or holes that rats might squeeze through, including door gaps, wall cracks, and false ceiling gaps, which should be inspected and sealed regularly. Safe check: look at the base of doors, around pipe penetrations, and at any false ceiling access panel.
A nearby structural defect (third most common). The third cause is a structural defect nearby, not necessarily inside your own unit. NEA states that proper upstream waste management, food hygiene and rectification works for structural defects to deny rats of food sources and harbourage are important to prevent rat infestation, which can originate in shared or common areas. Safe check: ask neighbours on the same floor whether they have seen the same signs.
When to call, and who
Report the rat sightings to NEA through the OneService app, with location, time, photos and frequency of sightings, rather than assuming a private provider visit alone resolves a problem that may involve shared or common property. Do this alongside, not instead of, calling a provider if the infestation is already established inside your own unit.
Call a licensed pest control provider once you have done the prevention steps and either sightings continue or you can see signs of an active nest. Only companies registered with NEA as Vector Control Operators (VCOs) can be engaged to undertake vector control works, and NEA advises the public to ensure that vector control services are procured from licensed Vector Control Operators.
What it costs
Ask two or three for a written quote once you know the scale of the problem.
When you ask, describe where and how often you have seen droppings, gnaw marks or the animals, and whether you have already addressed food storage and gaps. A provider who knows prevention has already been done can quote for treatment specifically, not a combined visit that repeats what you have already fixed.
Ask whether the quote includes a follow-up visit or is a single treatment, since an established infestation often needs more than one visit to fully clear.
Who to call, and how to judge them
Only companies registered with NEA as Vector Control Operators (VCOs) can be engaged to undertake vector control works, and NEA advises the public to ensure that vector control services are procured from licensed Vector Control Operators. Ask to see the VCO registration specifically, since that is the credential NEA itself points to.
A pest control provider should ask where the droppings, gnaw marks or sightings were found, how often, and whether food storage and entry points have already been addressed, since NEA's own approach treats prevention and treatment as one combined job, not separate steps.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean if I keep finding droppings but never see the rat itself?
Droppings, gnaw marks or a nest count on their own. NEA treats them as a sign of food and harbourage nearby, not a one-off, so act on the signs rather than wait for a sighting.
Should I report rat sightings to NEA, or just call a pest control company?
Report the rat sightings to NEA through the OneService app, with location, time, photos and frequency of sightings, rather than assuming a private provider visit alone resolves a problem that may involve shared or common property.
How do I check if a pest control provider is properly licensed?
Only companies registered with NEA as Vector Control Operators (VCOs) can be engaged to undertake vector control works.
Sources
- NEA, "Rat Prevention and Control — General Public" (fetched 15 Sep 2026)
- NEA, "Rat Prevention and Control" (fetched 15 Sep 2026)
- NEA, "Vector Control Operator, Vector Control Technician and Vector Control Worker" (fetched 15 Sep 2026)
Compare pest control providers and ask to see their NEA Vector Control Operator registration.
