To ask you if there's something under my deck?

[AwfulMaureen]

The dog keeps sort of tracking something under the deck at night. Always about this time of night...she sniffs the boards and then appears to be following "something" around as it moves about beneath....I can't see under it or access it really....there's a bit of a gap at the sides but you can't peer under or anything.

I can't stand the thought of setting traps....would it be mice do you think? Or something....bigger?

I can't be calling out any exterminators to check...they;ll kill things...what if anything should I do? The deck leads directly off my French windows into the sitting room...we sometimes leave bin bags of rubbish there when the outside bin is full...not for long...about a day or two at most...could this have brought meeces?

[AwfulMaureen]

Winky ours isn't slippery ever...its grooved...

how oh WHY did he kill it poor thing!

[SillyMillyOnAHilly]

I would put some rat traps or rat poison down. Check all your drains are secure and that none of the manhole covers are broken or ill fitting.
I would have a good tidy up of the garden area and try to make sure to reduce the places that rats could live. I would also check your air bricks are in good condition.

Rats are revolting.

[Pixel]

Next door to us definitely has rats under their decking, I've seen them. They are big ones! I would say if you build decking then expect rats!

[Gatekeeper]

I agree with others that you have rats. They love decking as it's nice and safe and sheltered

[howitis]

Awful only because I truly thought it was a snake, never seen one before and was worried for DD playing in the garden :(

[AwfulMaureen]

We don't even have deadly snakes in the Uk...no need to kill it even if it were an adder.

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

Some people do keep exotic snakes though, which can be more problematical. I understand the reaction though I agree it's a shame.

Hey, there's a thought, can you borrow a constrictor for your rats?

[IsThatTrue]

I think the council only charge for the first visit and come back until the buggers have gone. Although not. 100% as ours is all sorted by the estate agent and landlord.

[AwfulMaureen]

Well I've just been out and looked around and seen a sort of entrance hole on the side...some stones have been shifted and moved to make a hole....rat sized.

[curlew]

Rats. Seriously, get traps or put poison down before they move into the house. Which they will.

[BohemianGirl]

You need to deal with them.

[SillyMillyOnAHilly]

You really do have to kill them. Phone you council and see what they advice different councils have different policies.
Rats are everywhere but if you know they are so close to the house you really need to do something.