Anyone awake, I'm terrified

[Notsure2020]

I have a small back hall. I heard a noise when I was watching TV and thought it was someone at the back door, as I went into the back hall I heard a strange rustling noise them something furry jumped at my leg. Well I screamed the place down and ran out shutting the door behind me. It must be a rat or a squirrel as I had the back door opened for a while earlier. I've never seen any rats here but plenty of squirrels. Can anyone talk me through how to get it out, I'm alone in the house and scared to open the door again

[Notsure2020]

What if the fucker has climbed on something, can they jump far 🙈🙈

[avamiah]

Snipples,
Lol , been there no worries .😮,
A rat, mouse, squirrel , whatever it is, deal with it tomorrow in the daytime .

[Luciferthecat666]

@katy1213

Er, squirrels bite.

Yes they do I've been bitten by one! Ended up A&E having the bite cleaned along with a tetanus jab and two weeks of anti-biotics! I hate squirrels now and don't want them near me!

[Inkpaperstars]

It won't jump on you or at you OP, it will scarper. Just have something to herd it toward the door if it gets confused. It won't want to come near you.

[Juanbablo]

Can you see it now? Can you open the back door and shoo it out?

[oatmilk4breakfast]

Hope you’re ok!

[TenShortStories]

Double layer jeans, tucked in socks, winter coat and just do it! The longer you leave it the more chance of your presents being scratched at. You can do it!

[Notsure2020]

I've been so brave 🙈 I got step ladders and creaked the door open. Couldn't hear anything, climber on the radiator and unlocked the back door and opened it. Currently in the kitchen listening. I've a feeling it's in a hole in the wall that the council pulled open and I've not fixed, that was the direction it scarpered towards earlier. That's right next to the back door

[WannaBBetter]

Probably a curious cat

[Crustmasiscoming]

I don't think a that would be daft enough to jump up at a person like that. They are used to hiding from people and I can't see them getting caught out like that. Sounds like a squirrel to me.

Whatever it is, I hope you get it sorted OP.

[Notsure2020]

I'm also a bit hmm about a rat just wandering into a house. Like I said earlier there are loads of squirrels up here, my house backs on to a large hill with lots of foxes etc, we've even had deer. I couldn't leave it to wreck Christmas 😂

[TheoriginalLEM]

Blatant place marking.

You need to take the attitude that the poor thing is trapped and scared and you are helping him out. I like both squirrels and rats, they are cute but i dont want either in my house. So give it a name, sammy squirrel or robbie rat, awww cute.

Chances are its already gone. I would however be finding somewhere else for the presents for now.

[Mummyoflittledragon]

Are you absolutely sure it came in the house ? Sometimes we don’t register what is really happening when we are that scared.

Alternatively if it’s in the wall, can you block it off and wait for council pest control?

[Magissa]

On some other forum somewhere there is probably someone posting that they heard a blood curdling scream in the middle of the night and don't know whether they should call the police! Years ago I woke up to scratchy claws on my back. Automatically reached under the covers, grabbed something furry and threw it across the room as I screamed blue murder. Woke the children and my neighbor next door. Turned out it was the hamster. He had escaped from his cage. He was fine but it was months before I could snuggle into bed without feeling scratchy claws!
Hope you won't be too tired today after this night time disturbance!

[Notsure2020]

Definitely something was in there, it jumped on my ankle, I obviously scared it. I've managed to get into the room and left the door open for a while and couldn't see anything. It's either got out or is hiding in that hole. I feel a bit better about going to bed now, I'm shattered. My dad is coming round in the morning and he's a big brave man who will go through the whole house if needs be I'm such a shit bag when it comes to things like this but thanks everyone for staying with me

[I8toys]

Leave a trail of monkey nuts to outside.

[I8toys]

But then that could lead Squidly's whole family in!

[eaglejulesk]

Well done @Notsure2020. Hopefully it has disappeared, or at least your Dad will be able to sort it for you. I had to put on my brave pants to get rid of a rat from the spare bedroom (brought in by my cat) - and it was tiny and dead!!!

[popshops]

Get some wire wool and expanding foam and stuff the hole with the wool first and then the foam.

[BestUsernameEverMade]

Hopefully it's gone now. Did you check for any damage or scratch marks anywhere ?

[Skipsurvey]

surely it could have been a cat?

[Skipsurvey]

a rat would not jump up, they scurry

[TibetanTerrier]

This thread is a joke, right?

[SaskiaRembrandt]

I wondered the same as Skipsurvey - could it be your neighbour's cat?

[billybagpuss]

Let us know how your dad gets on and I suggest a trip to the diy store to get stuff to fix the hole where it might be hiding.