To burn the house down

[JupiterWeb]

So got up this morning, went into the utility to put a wash on as you do. I saw something out the corner of my eye and glanced over and saw a tail... backed out of the room and ran back in to take this photo. What the hell is this? A mouse a baby rat?!?!?! How do I get rid of It

@JupiterWeb

Because I live near a lot of farms and fields that have been harvested so chances are they have come from there...

They're everywhere, though. Town, country, everywhere. It's what rodents do.

Anyhow, main things are they they are looking for somewhere warm and dry to nest and for food, both of which are potentially provided in abundance by a utility room.

We have pet rats and I reckon that's a rat.

I wouldn't use rat poison (www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/pesticides_reduction/rodenticides/index.html) but a trap that kills then quickly. Then look for any entry points and fill any holes/gaps with wire wool, it's probably coming in cos it's warm inside.

We are never more than a metre from a rat. Or something like that. Surely you knew living in the country you might find wildlife a but closer than in town 😊

If you are happy getting rid of the bodies go humane but I'd have the big guns out ASAP.

Or one of those sonic things. I had one for mice and it worked.

It's a wood mouse. They come into houses this time of year seeking warmth. Their skulls are small enough to fit through the holes in airbricks, so they get into the wall cavity and then into the house. Set a Little Nipper mousetrap.

If it's just a tiny field mouse they're very sweet little things and can be scooped up and taken outside by hand, a rat I'd probably use a box to put it outside.

Found the nest behind my fridge... well I say nest, pile of droppings and bits of mostly eaten dog food

Befriend him. Also, tell yourself the sweet and comforting lie we all do: it’s just one.

Could it be a vole or something. Because those look like mouse ears and a mouse body even though the tail is thicker. I'd identify it first before setting traps. Or even just leave that door open and it might leave on its own.

@greenclouds3

Get a cat!

Don't. My cat brings in live mice, rats, voles...

Snap traps. Baited with chocolate.

Ears are too big for a vole ime

Unless I've been mis-identifying my cats prey all this time!

Just googled a vole and it has a similar face shape to your pick I think.

But you should be ae to tell from the droppings if you Google what rat vs mice drpoings look like as they are very different..

If it’s a rat you can’t catch them and release as you are not allowed to re release vermin. If you catch them you would have to kill them.

Yep, a rat
No bait if you have pets, I'd get someone in to deal with them

@Florin

If it’s a rat you can’t catch them and release as you are not allowed to re release vermin. If you catch them you would have to kill them.

Lol 'not allowed' xD

I highly doubt the vermin police are staking out her house. Nor that they would care that she released a rat into the countryside.

Look at this, then pay somebody to get rid of them.www.fantasticpestcontrol.co.uk/rats/signs-of-rats-rat-infestation-causes/

I have a cat, we still get mice, she kills them but they don’t stop coming in

If you release outside they come back in, I speak from experience! Killing is the only option but I hated doing it. Traps and bait boxes are better because poison might affect your dogs and sometimes they die in walls and under the floors, the smell and flies! 🤢

I battled mice for a few weeks in the summer thanks to a neighbour who had them in her loft and did nothing about them.

The most humane trap is a spring trap that kills them quickly. If you trap them and set them free, you’ve removed them from their family group and they’re gonna die a slow and painful death. My pest control man said Nutella is best thing to bait with. If you’ve got more than that one, ie. before they breed (I was too late) set a few traps with Nutella. If you catch big and small ones, they’ve reproduced and you need poison.

Sadly I know more about rodents now than I ever wanted to. I live in the country too, but had been lucky up til this year. One little git chewed my carpet cos I trapped it in a room with no exit points.

I’ve had no flies or smells by the way, the poison is designed to make them go outside in search of water.

@WatchWait

Cut off the food supply. Do you have a cat or dog? They're quite good at keeping them away, even if they don't kill them.

One of my cats happily presents rats to me, dead or alive. It never used to bother me, I'd catch them if alive and chuck them out or bin them.if dead.

I haven't noticed/found one for 4 years but not sure if that is because word got around the rat community or it coincides with when I was registered blind in 2016!!

I found the best way to catch mice was to set the spring trap between two rooms they travel between. Leave the door two inch open and put the trap there. That way they don't see it (as they tend to skirt the wall) and just run right through and onto it.

Yes I'd burn the whole house down and still hope they escape. Wouldn't want them burning alive but wouldn't want to live in the same house again. They can have it.

Sorry OP. Not helpful. I agree with some pp about emptying the place and letting it out if you can do it or get someone else to.

He also says if you get mice they like Lindt chocolate. To be fair I'd get in a humane trap for Lindt chocolate 😂

This made me laugh so much, so would I!

I once kept a mouse with an injury for several weeks til it healed...I'm an absolute sucker but even I draw the line at rats, and I do agree you need to get them gone.

Okay so, I saw it again on top of the fridge this time. I really don't think it's a rat as it has very round ears.