A bit of background - We have had a rat problem on and off for the past year since lockdown began. We've spent to the tune of 1k on pest control, a drain survey and traps/deterrents. We just haven't been able to get to the bottom of where they are coming in from but now reckon that it may be the kitchen extension roof due to identifying a few holes under some raised tiles. They have only ever been in the kitchen.
We decided it's best to get the whole reroof done. DH contacted over a dozen roofers in the past couple of days and only two answered(!), one said he is booked up until October and the other gave us a quote which was ridiculously high and therefore unaffordable for us. As a temporary measure DH and his friend climbed up onto the roof yesterday and secured chicken wire mesh over the holes. It seems to have worked... except now we have a trapped rat in the kitchen and it's currently sat on the washing machine. Luckily I don't need to go back in there for anything tonight but fucking hell, it's so brazen. I loudly banged on the living room/kitchen door (it has a panel window so have been watching it from that and behind the safety of the closed door), and despite the loud noise it didn't jump, run or even move. The little fucker just stared back unstartled.
DH has set a couple of snap traps (smeared with peanut butter), and there are some sticky boards behind the kickboards (rather pointless as they have never worked for us), but what else can we do? Any ideas welcome.
And please, no cries of the 'traps are so inhumane' - these fuckers have made our lives a misery for the past year. They've given my child anxiety, given me sleepless nights, and we have had to put up with this all lockdown whilst trapped inside the house. I've been unwell on and off past few months with unexplained cramps and vomiting. I can't help wondering if it's because of the rodents. I disinfect all surfaces etc every morning but it's impossible to know where they may have wandered about. I'm very clean, no food ever left out, no trash inside overnight, and no crumbs on the floor/on surfaces. Why tf do they keep coming back? And more urgently, how do I get this one out of my kitchen??