There's a rat in me kitchen

[DisgraceToTheYChromosome]

Heard a rustling and a clatter, went into the kitchen, saw a really big bugger run under the fridge. Anyone had pest control out, and what does it involve?

I've had them for mice before.

They put bait boxes under the kitchen cupboards and in other likely spots. I imagine with rats they would try to identify the likely entry points and where they are coming from (patio/decking/shed etc)

Don't borrow my cat. She let a baby bird steal her food and didn't do anything.

Agree with the poster regarding pest control and black boxes. IMO - doesn't really solve the problem.
I've done a fair bit of googling on this.

You need to remove their food source, so compost heaps, access to dog food, bird food human food etc. Ditto water source.

They don't like disturbance or change so you could garden like crazy (with gloves on) and thin out bushy undergrowth where the can nest.

Plug up access points (not easy) with wire wool.

They don't like the smell of mint apparently but I'm scraping the barrel there in terms of getting rid of them!

The trouble with rats is that they are bloody clever. If you use traps they learn to quickly avoid them as soon as you catch the first one. If you lay poison they definitely eat it but if they are living inside the house, they crawl off and die and you have to hunt them out. Luckily it is warm out so there is a chance their main home is outside and they are just coming in to feed.

Oh I'm disappointed.

I thought this was going to be a thread about UB40.

This is the second time I have got to reply to an enquiry on MN about a rat in the kitchen with the advice to fix dat rat - it's what ya gotta do!

Bugger, too slow for the lyrical comeback!!!

Dammit! Was also too late for ‘what am I gonna do’.

One of the estates near us is having the a lot of these problems. Ever since the local Drive thru was closed. I think I know where their old food source was

What am I gonna do?
I’m gonna fix that rat, that’s what I’m gonna do!!

Our council environmental health comes out free and puts down poison. Mine were in my shed rather than house thankfully.

They asked questions and poked around to see what was attracting them and where they were coming from and what food was attracting them.

Turned out it was next doors hens. The rats were living in my sheds and going round to next door for food.

The poison killed them but the guys were out thee times. I was so relieved to have the rats gone finally.

If you have crockery or food in floor cupboards make sure they are not getting in there or move it to higher cupboards. They pee on things and spread disease so hopefully you can get you council out and get shot of them soon.

Try and find where they are getting into your house. A tiny hole is big enough. Buy an ultraviolet torch on eBay for two quid and you can see where the pee is as it lights up green. You can then see where they are going to within your house. I bought one for my cat having accidents but as rodents pee as they run it should work well on them too. May give an indication of where they are hanging about and if there is any in your cupboards! It may surprise you where all they have been, shudder.

Thanks guys.

You can borrow my terrier if you like.

She's an absolute bugger for rats. I'd like to keep more as pets (used to have pet rats, before this dog) but I would never get a moment's peace.

You need a Patterdale.

We had them in our garden. We ordered blue rat blocks from Amazon.
Havnt seen any since.

Picked him dead off the grass last night. Given that he must have eaten several ounces of bait containing 3 different poisons, and the rat man started 3 weeks ago, tough bugger.