Help please! Have I done something dangerous?

[FreshFancyFrogglette]

Prepared to be told off, and that I'm an idiot. Conversely I may be worrying over nothing! But need immediate advice.

Got a rodent problem. Constant scratching against a particular wall. LL been contacted, trying to chase the rent o kill people hired to sort it out.. No joy, been over a week.

Tonight got too much.. My dd is scared. The scratching against the wall is constant, and loud. She's freightend by it. Anyway at my wits end I looked up things I can do in the meantime to deter them from coming in. Found out about essential oils. I happened to have a kit id been given ages ago. So I liberally dowsed the skirting board and wall, with the whole bottle. OK, the scratching has died down a bit. BUT my dd called from her bedroom, a good few meters from where I dowsed the wall, saying her throat is itchy. I looked up essential oils online (yes, I probably should have done that first, not knowing much about them!). And apparently they are NOT entirely safe. I thought they wouldn't work to be honest. Never entered my mind that they could be dangerous.

For the first time in a week the scratching has slowed down. But I'm worried about my dd. What should I do? Have I put her at risk of breathing difficulties? She's 10, had asthma as a baby, but not since.

Is she safe tonight? Or do we need to do something? Really don't want to open the windows as they all open onto a roof space where the rodents are coming in from. Thanks.

Some essential oils are extremely toxic and should be used sparingly and with care. Citronella is a particularly nasty one. This is why citronella candles are made for outdoor use only.

Is there a branch of ACORN renters' union where you live? They might be able to put pressure on the LL.

Horrible problem, OP, but I suggest you stop pouring oil all over the place. Especially on walls that will need decorating.

I would get one of those high pitched ultrasonic rodent deterrents.

Thanks for the advice Bats. Ive not got any more citrus oil, and I won't use that again after it tickling Dds throat. But I have resorted to smearing vicks around the skirting board. I don't intend to stop doing that becasue for the first time in a week it has been a few hours since i've heard any scratching. Surely Vicks vapor rub isnt harmful? I've not put it anywhere near dds room anyway, because there is only one wall i hear the scratching, and its the one seperating my room from the living room.

This company is rubbish. I still cant get hold of them !! i will continue to use vicks for the time being. There is an empty cafe below me that is having building works done, so i think they are coming up from there. I might go down and talk to the builders, because i can hear them doing something down there today.

Also, I dont mind repainting the walls, they need doing anyway, and I'd far rather do that, than have rats in here. (and it is rats rather than mice beacuse I've seen them by the bins in the courtyard).