GUIDE
A Rat Got In: We Won't Touch the Feng Shui Angle, But the Real Reason Is Always One of Two Things
Quick answer
In Hong Kong, a rat getting into your flat carries different feng shui readings — some say it affects your fortune, others call it a sign of money leaking out. Opinions vary widely, and as a pest control company, we won't adjudicate which one is right. What we can say with certainty: a rat in your flat always means two things — there's a route in (through pipe gaps, door gaps, or drains), and there's something worth coming for (food, water, or a place to hide). Deal with those two things and the rat won't be back, whatever you believe about the folk reading.
The feng shui question: our honest position
Search "rat in the house" in Cantonese and plenty of people want to know if it's good or bad luck. Honestly: different schools and different masters read it differently, and we're not feng shui practitioners — we won't pretend to be experts here. What we can speak to responsibly is the pest control side: a rat getting in isn't random. It's a practical signal that your flat has an entry point and a food supply. Below is how to check for yourself.
Is it actually a rat? Five signs to check
| Sign | How to check | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Droppings | Under kitchen cabinets, behind the fridge, under the sink — dark, rice-grain shaped | The most direct evidence; the fresher, the softer |
| Gnaw marks | Wires, wood, food packaging | Rats need to gnaw to wear down their teeth; gnawed wiring is a safety hazard |
| Grease trails | Dark smudges along skirting boards and pipe runs | Rats travel along walls, leaving oily "traffic lines" from their fur |
| Noise | Scratching and rustling in the ceiling, walls or false ceiling at night | Rats are nocturnal; quiet by day, active at night is typical |
| Nesting material | Shredded paper or fabric piled in dark corners | A sign of nesting — not just passing through, but living there |
How do rats get in? Check every entry point
- Pipe gaps — the gaps where kitchen and bathroom pipes pass through walls are the most common entry point. Seal with steel wool plus sealant, not just expanding foam (rats can chew through it).
- Floor drains — uncovered floor drains or a dried-out U-bend trap are also a route in. Add a cover and keep the trap filled with water.
- Door gaps — an oversized gap under the front or back door; fit a door sweep.
- External walls, plants and awnings — rats can climb; branches against the wall and air-conditioning pipes are ready-made routes.
- Shared spaces — old-building refuse rooms and back stairwells are rat bases; sealing your own flat cuts off their route in.
Starve them out: make your flat not worth visiting
- Store food in sealed containers; don't leave pet food out overnight
- Use a lidded bin and empty it every night
- Don't leave dishes in the sink overnight; wipe down food crumbs on counters
- Cut down on clutter, especially cardboard boxes — fewer hiding spots means rats won't stick around
When should you call a professional?
Seeing a live rat, fresh droppings that keep appearing, or nighttime noise that doesn't stop usually means it's already more than one, and DIY glue boards or traps can't keep up with their breeding rate. Professional rat control isn't about "more bait" — it's about finding and sealing every entry point, placing bait stations or monitoring points based on the layout, and following up through a warranty period until it's actually resolved. Averta's rat control service starts from HK$1,680, with a HK$350 inspection that's fully credited when you book.
Think a rat got into your flat? Take a photo of what you're seeing (droppings or gnaw marks both work) and WhatsApp it to us — we'll reply the same day
Frequently asked questions
Does a rat in the house mean bad feng shui?
Opinions vary, and we're not feng shui practitioners — we won't adjudicate which reading is right. From a practical standpoint: a rat in your flat means there's an entry point and a food source. That doesn't need a master's opinion — seal the entry, secure the food, and it's resolved.
I saw one rat — does that mean there are many?
Not necessarily, but check quickly: run through the five signs above. Fresh droppings or ongoing noise at night means you should treat it as more than one.
Do glue boards or rat traps work?
They can catch a rat passing through, but they're not enough for one that's already settled in. Rats are wary of new objects, and catching one doesn't close the entry point or cut off the food source — without addressing those, another one shows up quickly.
How much does rat control cost?
Averta's rat control service starts from HK$1,680 (depending on the flat and how many points need treatment), with a HK$350 inspection that's fully credited when you book. See our rodent control page and pricing guide for details.