Why Hotels and B&Bs Need Drain Protection Against Rats

Ollie Parkes
2 days ago
3 min read

In hospitality, there’s no room for error. One slip can spiral into disaster—and nothing damages faster than a rat problem. These pests strike at the heart of a business, destroying reputation, scaring off guests, and inviting costly legal trouble.

In this blog, we expose why hotels and B&Bs are prime targets for rodents, the brutal consequences of an infestation, and why RatGate is the preventative device every venue needs. We also underline the responsibility pest controllers and drainage engineers have to push for solutions that protect businesses before it’s too late.

Rats are opportunists, and hotels and guesthouses give them exactly what they’re looking for:

A constant food supply – From kitchen scraps and overflowing bins to crumbs in dining areas, even the smallest leftovers are enough to keep rats coming back.
Warm, hidden shelter – Boiler rooms, storage cupboards, lofts, and wall cavities offer the perfect safe havens, especially in colder months when rats seek warmth.
Multiple entry points – It takes just a 2 cm gap for a rat to get in. Cracks in walls, gaps around pipes, and unprotected drains create an open door into the building.

Put together, these factors make hotels and B&Bs an ideal breeding ground. Without strong preventative measures in place, they’re practically an open invitation for infestation.

A Real UK Incident: A Historic B&B Famed on TV, Shut Down by Rats

In June 2025, Fish on the Quay—a well-known seafood restaurant, pub, and B&B in Maldon, Essex was forcibly closed due to a "terrible" rat infestation. Hygiene officers discovered rat droppings in the kitchen, bar, cellar, on condiments, and even inside packaging—prompting a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order and immediate closure. The venue won’t reopen until full remediation is confirmed.

This striking case shows how rapidly infestations can escalate to a public health emergency, legal enforcement, and reputational ruin.

The Damage Rats Inflict on Hospitality Businesses

Reputation and Reviews: Sightings or droppings can ignite sharp downturns in Trustpilot, TripAdvisor, and booking platform scores. Negative reviews spread quickly, deterring future guests.
Guest Experience and Trust: Rats trigger disgust and fear. Even a single nibble or noise can mar a stay and dissuade return visits or referrals.
Compliance and Legal Trouble: Rodents contaminate food, bedding, and surfaces with diseases such as Salmonella and Leptospirosis. For hotels and B&Bs, this isn’t just a health hazard—it’s a fast track to failed inspections, hefty fines, or enforced closure.
Financial and Operational Impact: The cost of dealing with an infestation spirals quickly: emergency pest control callouts, structural repairs, ruined stock, guest refunds, and empty rooms. For many venues, the financial hit can be devastating.

For UK hotels and B&Bs, each reservation is more than a guest—it’s a trust mark. One rodent issue can dismantle that trust, compromise compliance, incur penalties, and damage future bookings. Prevention isn't optional—it’s critical.

Why Pest Controllers & Drainage Engineers Should Recommend RatGate

As the first line of defence against infestations, pest controllers and drainage engineers have a responsibility to guide clients toward lasting solutions—not just short-term fixes. That’s where RatGate stands out:

Proactive Defence – RatGate devices block rats at the source (the drainage system), stopping infestations before they happen. Far more effective (and far less stressful) than repeated emergency callouts.
Compliance Support – By cutting off a major entry route, RatGate helps businesses meet strict UK hygiene and safety standards, reducing the risk of fines or forced closures.
Reputation Protection – Prevents hotels and B&Bs from ever becoming the next headline or online horror story, protecting the trust their entire business depends on.
Cost Savings – Prevention is always cheaper than cure. Installing RatGate avoids the sky-high costs of reactive treatment, structural repairs, guest refunds, and lost bookings.

By recommending RatGate, you’re not just solving a pest issue—you’re safeguarding your clients’ businesses, reputations, and livelihoods.

Final Thought

Rats coming in through drains aren’t just a nuisance—they’re a direct threat to reputation, guest safety, legal compliance, and the bottom line. RatGate seals off the risk at its source, giving hotels and B&Bs the assurance that their business and their guests are protected. For pest controllers and drainage professionals, recommending RatGate isn’t simply good practice—it’s a duty of care.