Living in a student house is part of the uni experience — but nothing ruins that faster than discovering rats, mice, or unwanted creepy crawlies in the kitchen!
Whether you’re in Salford, Manchester, Liverpool or Bolton, student properties are often easy targets for pests — not because of poor landlords, but usually because of tenant habits like leftover food, overflowing bins, or lack of cleaning routines.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to keep your student home clean, safe, and pest-free — and why acting early could also protect your deposit.
Why Student Houses Are a Target for Rats and Pests
Pests like rats, mice, ants and flies are on the lookout for:
- Food left out in the open
- Rubbish bags not tied or taken out
- Warm spaces to hide during winter
- Gaps under doors, broken vents or cracked skirting boards
Student homes, especially shared ones, can be easy pickings if not maintained properly. Once pests find food and warmth, they’re hard to get rid of.
Top Tips to Prevent Rats and Pests in Your Student Property
1. Keep Your Kitchen Clean Daily
This is the #1 way to avoid unwanted guests. Make sure your kitchen is cleaned properly every day—especially worktops, bins, and food areas.
Wipe crumbs from counters and floors
Clean dirty dishes instead of leaving them overnight
Store food in sealed containers or in the fridge
Don’t leave bin bags inside for more than a day
Even a few leftover crumbs can attract mice or cockroaches.
2. Take Out the Bins Regularly
Overflowing bins or bags left in the hallway are a free buffet for pests. Make a house rota or group agreement to:
- Take the kitchen bin out every 1–2 days
- Tie bags securely before placing in outdoor bins
- Close outdoor bin lids properly to stop rats getting in
Rats are excellent climbers and chewers—they can rip open bin bags in seconds.
3. Seal Food Properly (and Don’t Store It on the Floor)
Cereal, pasta, rice, and snacks should be stored in sealed containers and kept off the floor. Open packaging or food left in reusable bags is a pest magnet.
Airtight plastic tubs from discount shops are ideal — and they’ll keep your food fresh longer too.
4. Don’t Feed the Pigeons or Squirrels
It might seem harmless or even cute, but throwing food out of the window or leaving it on the back step will attract rats, foxes, and other wildlife. If one rat comes… others will follow.
Stick to feeding yourselves, not the neighbourhood!
5. Check for Entry Points (and Let Us Know If You Spot Any)
Rats and mice can squeeze through gaps as small as a 50p coin. If you spot:
- A hole in a cupboard or wall
- Broken air vents
- Gaps under external doors
- Signs of droppings or chewed food packaging
Report it immediately via your Mistoria tenant portal or contact form. The sooner we’re aware, the faster we can act.
We’ll work with pest control professionals to safely deal with the issue.
Common Mistakes That Attract Pests
Avoid these common habits in shared houses:
- Leaving pizza boxes and takeaway leftovers out overnight
- Letting rubbish pile up during weekends or holidays
- Forgetting about food left in communal cupboards
- Leaving back doors or windows open late at night
It only takes one slip-up to attract pests.
Final Word: Your Responsibilities as a Tenant
Pest problems caused by tenant behaviour—like food hygiene, mess, or poor bin use—can be classed as negligence. This may affect:
- Your deposit
- Future references
- How quickly we can respond to the issue
At Mistoria, we work hard to keep all our student properties clean and safe—but it’s a team effort. If you do your part, we’ll always be here to support you.
Need to report a pest issue?
Use the tenant portal, email your local Mistoria office, or call 0800 500 3015.
Want more student living tips? Visit https://mistoriahouseshare.com or follow us on Instagram for cleaning hacks, house checklists, and more!