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Neighbours telling everyone we have a rat infestation

6 replies

Ieightxmaz · 25/03/2026 16:03

My NDN told me that we have rats living in our garden and that they go into their garden and make their dogs bark.
So now everyone thinks we live in filth with a rat infestation because of their story spreading.
The fact is, im certain we do not have rats. Our garden is very tidy and there is nowhere for a rat to go that we won’t see. There are no holes in the fences for them to cross to NDN garden. We also have 4 cats that would hunt them.
NDN garden is very untidy, they have 3 dogs that live outside and bark 24/7, their waste sits in bin sacks by their back door as they do not have a wheelie bin. They put the bin sacks in the front garden the night before bin day and foxes rip them up. If there are rats nearby I wouldn’t be surprised.
They have now taken to putting a second fence against our current shared one and planting a hedge, while muttering that we are too lazy to clean our garden and remove the rats. It’s really starting to PMO.
We’ve checked several times for any signs of movement in our soil/stones, we’ve taken to checking what their dogs are barking at (the children next door to them), next step will be traps.
Do I report it to the council so they can have pest control come and take a look? I hate knowing neighbours are gossiping because of this. Any advice will be appreciated.

OP posts:
winter8090 · 25/03/2026 16:05

Absolutely ignore it 100%. Do not respond.

Isn’t there a saying that says your never more than a few metres away from a rat?!

RoughGuide · 25/03/2026 16:06

I don't think I'd give it another thought. Ignore.

YourSassyPanda · 25/03/2026 16:09

People have eyes so tell them all loudly that your neighbours’ dirty, scruffy, bin filled garden is encouraging the local wildlife. Rats do get everywhere though to be fair, they don’t discriminate.

Spinningnewbie · 25/03/2026 16:10

If your gsrden is as tidy as you say then the neighbours will surely use their common sense and know it's not true.
If they gossip, then let them. You can't argue with stupid!

Ieightxmaz · 25/03/2026 16:18

Unfortunately none of the neighbours can see my garden from their houses so they are taking their word for it! NDN front garden is immaculate so I doubt anyone is aware of how disgusting their back garden is. I should ignore it you’re right, I just don’t like the thought of there being rats so close when my children play out there.

OP posts:
Boomer55 · 25/03/2026 16:35

They say that no one is ever more than 10 feet away from a rat now. So, you’ve probably both got rats moving about near you. 🤷‍♀️

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