Help I have rats!

[deanna]

I live in a semi-detached thatched roof cottage, and the roofs are being re-thatched. I live alone, and last night heard a great commotion in an upstairs room and am sure I have rats. I haven't checked yet because I am scared. I do have vermin scarer plugs around the cottage but am not sure these will make the 'intruders' go away.
Is poison the best answer? - something I am not too happy with
Deanna.

[jake-the-peg]

I'm afraid these vermin scarer devices are pretty useless as you've found out. you won't find rent-a-kill or any of their like using them.

I live in a thatched cottage too and some time ago I had trouble with a squirrel that got in and made an awful noise - I'd suspect that first over rats for what it's worth.

Personally I was able to get up there in the daytime, found it was out, switched off the light to find the gap in the wall where it was getting in and cement up the hole.

I understand though that you might not be quite as happy to swing around the loft yourself - if you get in exterminators they'll probably just put down poison. Which will probably sort out the problem but you will need to try to sort out where they're getting in.

Best of luck

[deanna]

Thank you jake-the-peg.
The thatchers have just arrived, so I think I will play the 'weak woman' role and get one of the 'big strong men' to rescue me by checking the room!
Although I like the idea that it might be a squirrel, it is most likely rats because the farm barns opposite me seem to attract them.

[leelapops]

Hi deanna, hope you get the problem fixed. We had mice in our old flat. At first I couldn't stand the thought of traps/poison, but when they started eating all my food, at a time when we had no money, the guilt quickly disappeared!
Traps were most successful for us; I am not sure of the difference between getting rid of mice and rats, but I would say it's probably not vast.

Good luck, Lisa x

[deanna]

Hello Lisa
Thank you for your reply. I did have a problem with mice a few years ago, but they disappeared when I plugged in the vermin scarer plugs. Until that time I had to put food in tins.
I did also find that if I put a little pile of powdered ginger in places I thought they might get in, this worked too.
Just spoken to the thatchers, and they told me that if the rats are in the roof, I must get in touch with the vermin control people. (More expense)!

[lankeela]

It could be a bird that has got in through the thatch or even down the chimney. I doubt that you would hear rats making a commotion, only the tiny pitter patter of their little feet as they go about their business of finding food for their poor little children who wll become orphans if you poison their parents. Or you could shoot the ********.

[deanna]

Thank you Lankeela.
It isn't birds, they would have left a mess!
Actually, to be serious I am not keen on killing whatever is there but if it is rats, I don't want them to damage the new thatch - I am having to take out a loan to get it done, and am hoping it lasts. Maybe they will go away once they realise that they aren't welcome.

[horsestache1]

If your worried about the cost of pest controle, just contact your local council, they get rid of vermin in a habitation for free, at least they do where I come from, worth a go anyway

[deanna]

Thank you for your comment horsetache1.
Will give it a go.