Rats in the house

PackRat · 2022-04-04T11:14:35+00:00

AIBU to think if you've detected rat activity in a cluttered room, the best course to getting rid of them is to declutter the room, clean it thoroughly and set traps? My DP thinks that now we know the rats are in that room we should just leave it as it is and set traps to ensure we lure them to their death. I think that sounds like a pretty dumb idea, as surely we need to be able to work exactly how they're getting in so we can also look at blocking that off. I also hate the thought of stale rat piss being all over the room.

Whitefire · 04/04/2022 12:16

A little bit of both I would think. You want rid of them as much as possible before you start moving things otherwise you will end up with them allover the house.

WhenDovesFly · 04/04/2022 12:17

I agree with you OP. Declutter the room first before setting traps to see if you can identify where they're getting in and block it off. They can get in the smallest of gaps. Be careful when moving stuff in case there's a rat in any boxes that could scamper out into another room (sorry don't mean to alarm).

raffle · 04/04/2022 12:18

They are probably already all over the house. Why do you think they would just stay in one room?

bloodywhitecat · 04/04/2022 12:24

@raffle

They are probably already all over the house. Why do you think they would just stay in one room?

This. I would be checking for signs in other rooms too while getting the room that is cluttered clutter-free and baited.

Original poster

PackRat · 04/04/2022 12:30

They are probably already all over the house. Why do you think they would just stay in one room? This is my thinking. I've definitely heard them in the kitchen, but had a deep clean of that and not found anything chewed up so far. I need DP to help me move the heavy appliances to check the skirting boards and floor haven't been chewed up and there's no route in.

He's so nonchalant and convinced his one piddly little trap will solve the problem, even though it's been set up for a week and not caught anything so far. He won't entertain the idea of using poison in case they die in the walls and smell.

OP posts:

Greensleeves · 04/04/2022 12:32

You need to get a professional in to deal with them! They breed like nobody's business. You will end up with them running over your face while you're sleeping.

Rewritethestars1 · 04/04/2022 12:42

They won't just be in one room.
You need to declutter, trap, remove all food and bedding sources, meticulously clean and sweep after every meal and in general, if you have pets remove all food after meals and any poo needs cleaning from the garden straight away, continue to set traps for a while after you think they have gone, find all holes on the outside of your house and fill (any smaller than a 10p) and check loft/cellar for access holes too.
Good luck.

Classicblunder · 04/04/2022 12:44

I would be getting the professionals in and moving out until they are dealt with!

JustOneMoreStep · 04/04/2022 12:48

Honestly you just need to be persistent. Rats are clever and notice new items and know to avoid them so traps/poison need to be put out and left alone for at least a week before there is any chance of them doing anything. One trap is not enough, honestly there will be dozens at least and all over the house, not restricted to one room. You need to be proactive about cleaning up (the smell of their urine makes them feel safer!) And decluttering/removing hiding spaces and destroyed property. You need to fill any holes but be aware they will make more. Lastly check for entry points on the outside of the house, often around drains/water sources. As a side note, I've never known traps alone to be effective.

Rewritethestars1 · 04/04/2022 12:49

Bait traps with peanut butter or chocolate spread and put many along skirting boards, under the bath, behind base boards, in the loft/cellar. I also wouldn't bother with poison, its true they die and it smells rancid plus it takes ages to rid them using poison and can kill other animals. You want to kill them quick and easy. Old fashioned wooden snap traps are the best. Act quickly before they destroy your wiring and belongings.
Mice and rats have destroyed many items of mine. They can eat through stuff at an unbelievable rate. One memorable incident of mine is when mice ate through a whole extra large pack of nappies in one night leaving me with none left for my newborn.

SuspiciousScully · 04/04/2022 12:52

PIL always seem to think that it's pointless even trying to do much about their rat infestation apart from put down traps.

Their tap water makes those tests to detect harmful bacteria light up like a Christmas tree because the rats get into the well. Parts of their house absolutely reek when the weather gets warm because of the joists etc. in the floors and walls that are completely soaked/caked in rat piss and shit.

You can hear them fighting in the walls.

Now and then one will die in the wall and then that part of the house stinks while it decomposes.

You really, really don't want it to get to that point, OP.

MrsMoastyToasty · 04/04/2022 13:10

They pee everywhere - no bladder control.
They chew everything - to keep their teeth sharp
They like a dry bed to have their babies- like us.

You need to chuck everything away, disinfect and bait them/get the professionals in.

ExtraOnion · 04/04/2022 13:12

We are 8 months into sorting our problem - with a professional contractor and the council involved.

We managed to contain the activity to under the floorboards and the attic quite early on, and poison has helped the reduce the activity.

Nothing ever died within the confines of the house, which showed they were living elsewhere.

You have the track down where they are coming from, or they will be back. This is what has to taken the time in our house, as this hasn’t been obvious - and we have had drain survey, and the council has been working in external cause.

They are dirty animals, that carry disease, and can make you very poorly. They can chew through wires and cause problems with your electrics.

We live in a terrace - turns out our neighbours had problems, but people were a bit embarrassed to talk about it - the council have been good in bringing us all together.

If you have neighbours, this could also be a problem for them. If the council comes in and finds that your property is the problem, they will serve an enforcement notice, and you could end up in court. Please take this problem much more seriously than you are

Original poster

PackRat · 04/04/2022 13:27

Thanks for reassuring me I'm not exaggerating the importance of getting rid of them asap. I'm aware that they breed fast and can carry disease, so I was really concerned when I heard one scuttling around. I have OCD and am already barely sleeping because I keep thinking they'll bite me whilst I'm asleep and I'll get a disease. I have a deep cut on my thumb and I don't remember cutting it, so I'm starting to worry it's a bite. I'm also terrified of starting to sort through boxes in case one jumps out at me.

OP posts:

Original poster

PackRat · 04/04/2022 13:31

We live in a terrace - turns out our neighbours had problems, but people were a bit embarrassed to talk about it - the council have been good in bringing us all together. I'm pretty sure they came in from our neighbours as they had a decades worth of garbage at the bottom of their garden which backs onto our's. They recently cleared it, which I was pleased about until I heard the rat the next night. I've mentioned it to my other neighbour as she's attached to our house. She's not impressed by our other neighbour for letting so much rubbish accumulate, so I'm sure she'll be having words with them.

OP posts:

Honeyroar · 04/04/2022 13:32

You need to find out why they’re coming- initially there is always a food source for them, and secondly somewhere to nest.

So you do need to empty and clean the room, but also beware that they will then look elsewhere. Keep everything clean and food in rat proof containers.

Original poster

PackRat · 04/04/2022 13:55

Are rat bites common? I'm trying to psyche myself up to start moving things around and clear the room but I'm terrified. I'm annoyed with my partner as it's all his shit in the spare room that's cluttering it up, but he's made no effort so far to sort it out. I'll have to make a start and hope he sees reason and helps. I've been meticulous at cleaning the kitchen after every meal and I've just gone down stairs and he's left dirty dishes and packets out on the side .

OP posts:

Honeyroar · 04/04/2022 13:58

No they’ll run away from you unless cornered. Make lots of noise as you clear. Rattle bags/boxes before you put your hands in. If one does run out, try to watch where it goes - it might lead you to where they’re coming in.

Bunty55 · 04/04/2022 14:00

@PackRat

They are probably already all over the house. Why do you think they would just stay in one room? This is my thinking. I've definitely heard them in the kitchen, but had a deep clean of that and not found anything chewed up so far. I need DP to help me move the heavy appliances to check the skirting boards and floor haven't been chewed up and there's no route in.

He's so nonchalant and convinced his one piddly little trap will solve the problem, even though it's been set up for a week and not caught anything so far. He won't entertain the idea of using poison in case they die in the walls and smell.

Oh dear OP. I feel for you. I have seen a rat in my garden eating the bird food and have to do something about it. I am torn as I love all living things but I have grandchildren who play in the garden so it's a no-brainer. The rat I have seen is a Norway rat. The gnaw and chew as they teeth grow all of the time. They can chew through metal and they do.

These rats in your house, they will chew everything. It's not just a health hazard when you get them in the house it's dangerous as they chew through floor joists electrical wiring, gas and water supply pipes - the lot.

You need professional help if they are in your house where you live. Simple.

Roselilly36 · 04/04/2022 14:00

@Classicblunder

I would be getting the professionals in and moving out until they are dealt with!

Me too!

icelolly12 · 04/04/2022 14:00

Sounds like you have a useless partner problem as well as a rat problem. You need to find out how they're getting in and block the entry point asap. You may need professionals in. And yes they can and will bite, are you sure it's rats and not mice?

EmpressCixi · 04/04/2022 14:07

Rats (and mice) cannot chew through medium steel wool. So use steel wool and caulk or steel wool and expanding foam to block any entry holes and keep them from chewing back in. They do sell caulking with steel wool already in if you don’t want to deal with steel wool separate from caulk.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/04/2022 14:09

@Greensleeves

You need to get a professional in to deal with them! They breed like nobody's business. You will end up with them running over your face while you're sleeping.

You don't, you need proper heavy duty rat traps and poison. It will probably take 6 weeks in my experience.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/04/2022 14:09

** that's not envy!!!

EndaDay · 04/04/2022 14:12

What attracts them and how do you know you have them?