Omg what to do - massive RAT!

[Amimissingsomethinghere]

Sorry didn't know where to post. I kept hearing squealing noises all evening (thought it was a trapped kitten - live in central London ground floor flat). Look outside, RIGHT outside my back door I look down to the drain and there's a mothetfucking huge ass rat there obviously stuck.
I've tried calling pest control no luck. Husband is away and I'm alone with a baby and freaked out.
Please help!

If pest control comes out, lifts grate, rat runs, replaces grate and charges you £150 - you'll be wishing you'd tucked your trousers in your socks and used a coat hanger 🐭

It’s tricking you. It got in, it will get out.

Sorry just tickled me. I'm glad you do rescue them.

"Plenty of people I know have raised wild rats"

Erm you and I clearly move in different circles
Raised wild rats? Hahahahaha

Do we think the OP has been attacked and killed in her rescue attempt of poor ratty?

Come back OP

Oh please let it out. I feel bad for it. It will be more scared of you than you are of it.
The old MN fish slice will do the job of lifting the grate nicely, then run.

pixie It's pulling off a grate, not going any nearer than most people in London are to rats at any other time.

And yeah, I do think it's pathetic to leave an animal in distress for an irrational fear. And indefensible. There are times it's not acceptable to put our preferences before welfare. Personally I fucking hate watching a horse being shot, and safe to say I find it distressing. I still wouldn't leave one to die slowly. Oh yeah, but horses are cute so have feelings and rats are unappealing so don't matter.

Also at dh lifting the cover with his penis

Back to the OP.

I dislike rats. Wild or domestic but I couldn't leave it screaming.
I would try and use something to open it without getting too close
Failing that, I would knock on a neighbours door.

I wouldn't got near that grate, let alone lift it for anything. Some people are just weird.

It’s still a living thing and it’s obviously distressed so either release it or put it out of its misery. Don’t you have any neighbours to ask? Or any friends that have terriers?

Squirrels are vermin but people help them, rats are just wildlife.

I fucking hate them and would be able to bring myself to go near it but I would find someone who could. I couldn’t bear to let it suffer. Please lift the grate or find someone who can?

Obviously gone to bed and just left it to die. Wish I hadn't read this thread. So sad

You could even fashion a grate lifting tool by sellotaping a coat hanger to the end of a broom handle. Then stand on a chair whilst lifting the grate. Dressed in your wellies, some fishing waders if you have them, and a bee keeping hat.

Okay panic over! After much deliberation I bravely put on my trainers (don't have wellies in London darling) and pulled the grate up. The fucking bugger ran into the drain (the grate had somehow been blocking it?!) and I can't see it now.
I think the drain and drain pipe is all external so hopefully no ratty up my loo. Pest control coming over tomorrow to have a once over and make sure we have no dodgy spots for ratty and his friends to hide.
To all the PP saying it's not a big deal... I am bloody terrified of rats!!!!!!

Rats definitely not just a London thing. Saw one scavenging in bins in a park in Newcastle and another frolicking in some shrubs outside some expensive flats and townhouses in the centre of Durham, in recent months.

It would probably bugger off if it could.

Good job 👌

XP: it did bugger off!

Well done OP

Aww, well done OP! Good stuff 👍

Just don’t read James Herbert’s The Rats tonight

Well done OP, I would have been scared too but couldn't have just left it so I'd have done the same. I'd be having a medicinal brandy to calm down now though Hope the rest of your night is rat-free and peaceful.

I'm not telling OP to swaddle it and give it a bottle
I’m sorry but

I would just let it out, can’t believe how hysterical people are and yes I live in london. And I also hate the whole “Dh is away I can’t do anything” 🙄

In New York we have the Pizza Rat.

I wouldn't be able to listen to the squealing, as it would distress me.