Say cheese! Lanes gets proof of rat problems in drains

Lanes engineers have caught this rodent on camera, illustrating the problems posed by rat infestations in sewers.

They were carrying out a CCTV survey on a sewer in the greater Manchester area when the rat popped out of a lateral connection and appeared to pose for the camera.

Rat problems in sewers are often made worse by cracked or broken drains, which allow the rats to get into drainage systems.

They find their way in through holes or uncapped pipes, then are able to move quickly through the drain system, spreading across wide areas and popping up in properties along the way.

CCTV drain surveys are a good way to identify the scale of rat problems in sewers. The high definition cameras can quickly show cracked or broken drains where rats can get in.

Equally, CCTV drain surveys can be used to spot signs of rat infestations, such as rat droppings and nests. And, if they are bold enough, as in this case, they can identify the rats themselves.

If cracked or broken drains have contributed to a rat infestation, solutions could be a drain repair, such as the installation of a patch liner. Or rats can be prevented from entering a section of the drainage system by capping off pipes.

As for this particular rat, his or her moment of stardom is over. Until the next time a Lanes Group CCTV drainage survey camera passes by!