My next door neighbour feeds local cats (she insists they are strays) and this has led to an invasion of bloody huge rats. We see them eating the food she leaves out for the cats and we see them running around our back garden to and from her garden.
We told her about seeing the rats and she said oh dear, I'll need to wash the plates then.
We were hoping that she would see that it is not wise to put food out any more.
I feel torn.
I do not want all these bloody gigantic rats in my garden.
I don't want to risk the damage they can do.
I don't want the risk of them getting into my house.
I want to be able to use my garden - these buggers are fearless!
I don't think she should be feeding these cats. For one thing I've seen them and for the most part they are not strays! They are other neighbours cats. Also, she has no way of knowing if any of them have special diets and if she's causing harm by feeding them.
But otoh we live in the countryside so it's ridiculous to think we can be rat free.
she's lonely. She's widowed, they had no children and she has next to no family. She clearly feels taking care of what in her eyes are stray, hungry cats, gives her a purpose.
She's very frail, we do what we can (mow grass, take bins out, etc) but she is fiercely independent and we don't want to offend or upset her by seeming to take over.
She's an absolutely lovely woman and we care a lot about her but I just cannot put up with rats.
If I just get pest control in she might feel very upset.
If I tell her I'm going to if she doesn't stop, she might feel I'm trying to bully or control her.
I've put traps out but it's like trying to fight a massive fire with a water pistol.
Any advice on how to best address this? tia.