Is this a dead rat or mouse...photo of dead thing warning

[JacobReesMogadishu]

I'm worried its a small rat

It looks very ratty by its tail. Mice have thinner shorter tails.

How big is it? The head looks a bit ratty.

I think it's a rat because it has a really thick tail. Maybe a young one.

Thats what I thought. Head looked ratty. The cats have killed it, but they're house cats. So whatever it is was in the house.

I’d agree that is a young rat

Jesus Christ

What the fuck do I do know

Don't worry. Rats are everywhere. The cat brought it in. I had one in my bedroom a couple of years ago
DH killed it with a spade.

Bleurgh that’s a rat.

Call a pest controller. Looks like a young one... maybe you have a family. They’ll work out where it has come from and how to get rid of any others.

Dh is so bloody blasé about this, says it’s dead now what’s the problem.

The problem is where are the rest. We knew there had been something in the utility room for months as there had been a packet of sunflower seeds chewed. He emptid stuff off the shelves a couple of months ago and couldn’t find anything and declared whatever it was must have left.

I’m worried there are parent rats and more babies.

Dh says there’s no need for a pest controller.

Sorry, I see that your cats don't go out.
I still wouldn't worry. It probably just sneaked in. They can get through very small holes.
I doubt that you have an infestation.

I'm with DH on this.

@ElizabethMainwaring

Don't worry. Rats are everywhere. The cat brought it in. I had one in my bedroom a couple of years ago DH killed it with a spade.

It can’t have been brought in, we don’t have a cat flap. One of the cats does go out but has to be let in through the patio door, I’m sure I’d have noticed if she had a rat in her house? Guess it’s possible dh let her in last night and she had a rat? But very unlikely.

Can I buy rat traps and set them myself....but ones which won’t get the cats.

Yes. There are lots of different types.
I use catch em alive ones (for the occasional mouse). I can't vouch that they are very successful though.

@JacobReesMogadishu

Can I buy rat traps and set them myself....but ones which won’t get the cats.

Only if you're prepared to potentially bludgeon a screaming rat in a trap to death.

If you’re not finding poo then it probably is a one off. I’d leave it and see. Presumably the cats will sort the problem anyway

I’m suspicious they’re behind the washing machine. So there could be poo mountain there. Dh won’t pull it out and I’m not strong enough.

@JacobReesMogadishu

Dh is so bloody blasé about this, says it’s dead now what’s the problem.

The problem is where are the rest. We knew there had been something in the utility room for months as there had been a packet of sunflower seeds chewed. He emptid stuff off the shelves a couple of months ago and couldn’t find anything and declared whatever it was must have left.

I’m worried there are parent rats and more babies.

Maybe you look instead on DH?

They don’t just pop in one spot

*poo

Your husband is being too blase imo.

Why can't you ring a pest controller yourself?

Rat problems are worsening as their usual food sources have been affected by food business changes, acoording to my rat-,knowledgeable colleague (who once had rats in their house so keeps up with rat developments in their area).

Definitely a rat. I’d be the same as you I wouldn’t be able to settle. My DH is very relaxed about that sort of stuff. Rats can get through the teeniest of holes anywhere, so once they find a tiny hole they can squash themselves down to get in. So it may have done that and it won’t be your cat bringing it in. I personally though, seeing as it’s just the one for now, would leave it and see if there’s any signs of another. That’s quite a young one so if there’s a family you’ll find signs of other rats around. Look for droppings, their poo is rice shaped you won’t miss it.

They shit everywhere, not just in one spot. Check all your surfaces, cupboards and drawers (yes, they can get in the back of drawers!) for poo or evidence of chewing etc.