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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to feel annoyed by my neighbour's complaints about rats?

133 replies

Becnextdoor · 19/05/2026 22:50

Do not have many neighbours, only 4 on our street. I live next to this lady, detached houses but our garden is seperated with a hedge if that makes sense. She has lived in that house for 4 years and we used to get along in a good neighbour way - as she lived alone I would often do garden work for her and she came round for a family barbecue once a year, normal neighbour stuff.
We (me and my wife) have had pet chickens for about 7 years now, they are located near the connecting hedge, out of her sight, and she’s never had a problem with them, however the chickens have randomly just now started getting rats, and as a result some of them have gone in her garden, she has messaged to complain, and came round twice to complain, all in the same week, after the first complaint we told her we were dealing with it - as we were, however rat traps take time and don’t work instantly, however, she kept coming round and telling us it was our problem and we need to sort it, and getting progressively annoyed, even though we were managing with it. We payed for pest control to come today, and they even went and spoke to her about how it was getting sorted - as we were tired of her continuous complaints, I didn’t even get a ‘thank you’ or anything, and even after the pest control she is still complaining. She is about 40 years old and a lot of her money is “mummy’s money”, private school and parents brought her a nice house in a nice area, so especially with knowing that, we really think she’s just acting abit entitled now. We are probably going to fall out with our neighbour over this, are we in the wrong for being annoyed? edit: The rats only started coming the same week she got a new cat and dog, she’s also recently had an oil spill - which apparently can attract rats, I don’t know if that’s relevant but.

OP posts:
CrotchetyQuaver · 19/05/2026 22:55

chickens always attract rats unfortunately
you are being unkind calling her entitled when it's your chickens that are the problem. I'd suggest you start by moving their house and run for starters.

my own experience is the rats won't leave now until the chickens have died. I miss our chickens but I don't miss the rats.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 19/05/2026 22:55

I'm sorry but you sound awful.

I have no idea what "mummy's money" means, or why private school or the question of who paid for her house is remotely relevant to your post.

You have caused a rat problem. She doesn't want rats in her garden. You haven't dealt with it quickly enough. Of course she is going to complain.

PinkCatCushion · 19/05/2026 22:56

People can get over excited by rats. They are pretty much everywhere, especially under decking and, as the saying goes, you are never more than 6ft away from a rat.
They usually disappear off into the fields in the summer and only come back to food sources like bird feeders or chicken food in the colder months.
Your neighbour is BU as you have informed her of your efforts to remove the rats. She needs to wait. Perhaps her cat will dispatch a few rats too.

Tableforjoan · 19/05/2026 22:57

Yabu.

There are rats because of your chickens. Why would she thank you for getting pest control out 🤣🤣

Becnextdoor · 19/05/2026 23:00

Thanks for the fast responses, I get the rats are our problem, but we do a lot to help her out and we got started on the problem the second she mentioned it, she’s just still telling us off on it even after pest control told her face to face that it will take a few weeks. Edit: we only have 4 quiet, small, chickens (we’re not running a chicken farm, they’re just pets) they get cleaned out every week and she has never had an issue until now.

OP posts:
BMW58 · 19/05/2026 23:01

Your chickens are rat magnets - and they stink.
That's what the rats are attracted by - the smell.

The only acceptable place to keep chickens is on a property with no neighbours within 100 feet.

VIII · 19/05/2026 23:06

Of course you're being unreasonable how can you not see that. You also sound like a complete arse in the way you're talking about her to be honest.

The problem hasn't been sorted out in a timely manner and she's naturally pretty pissed off because she doesn't think you're taking the problem seriously.

You sound like you think you're doing her some kind of favour in getting rid of the rats which are only there because of your chicken. Hmm

tiramisugelato · 19/05/2026 23:07

Sorry, but if I was getting rats in my garden from my neighbours pets I would be really pissed off.

sapphicy · 19/05/2026 23:08

You are completely in the wrong here, you have attracted vermin to what is effectively a shared outdoor space and now you’re calling her entitled for asking you to deal with a problem that you created, wtf

lightreceiver · 19/05/2026 23:11

Sorry but you are really being unreasonable. Why pass comment on her finances or how she lives? You sound incredibly judgemental and to be honest, a bit spiteful.

You caused the problem. Rats invading anyone’s garden is horrible. Why not move your chickens to the other side of your garden?

Becnextdoor · 19/05/2026 23:13

lightreceiver · 19/05/2026 23:11

Sorry but you are really being unreasonable. Why pass comment on her finances or how she lives? You sound incredibly judgemental and to be honest, a bit spiteful.

You caused the problem. Rats invading anyone’s garden is horrible. Why not move your chickens to the other side of your garden?

Thanks for your reply, the chickens got moved this morning.

OP posts:
Babymamamama · 19/05/2026 23:14

I can’t believe you actually expect a Thankyou from your neighbour for getting pest control in for a problem caused by yourself. Can you see the irony in this? Your poor neighbour.

stayathomegardener · 19/05/2026 23:19

Just had to google if rat are attracted to oil spills and amazed to read yes even lubricant oil.
Also learnt today not to site bee hives near horse stables as they are attracted to the urine.

What a time to be alive.

Yes you are being unreasonable, your rats your problem.

MrsMillyFluff · 19/05/2026 23:26

The rats are there because of your chickens. I rent an allotment and a lot of the allotment holders have problems with rats due to their poultry. Thankfully it isn't near our home. The problem is yours, I can't believe you think your neighbour should be thankful for what is essentially your problem.

Gazelda · 19/05/2026 23:27

Your pets are impacting her enjoyment of her garden.

her source of money, age etc aren’t impacting you.

she’s not had a problem with your chickens before, but they’re now attracting rats. Can’t you understand why she’s pissed off?

When did she first alert you to the rats? How many times has she made contact to complain about the rats? Have you apologised to her?

I can’t believe you’re annoyed at her for not thanking you for arranging the pest control. I think it’s you that is behaving in an entitled manner.

Franjipanl8r · 19/05/2026 23:28

She probably just knows more about rats than you do and how quickly they can get out of control. You should have called pest control day 1 - the rate they multiply is insane.

We had a neighbourhood rat issue and they were everywhere - lofts, cavity walls, burrowing under someone’s house making nests…

I bet she was pissed off you wasted time faffing with some home bought traps!

Strandas · 19/05/2026 23:29

I can’t decide if you’re trying to insult her age by thinking she’s too young or old to complain about rats?!

PinkNailPolish2026 · 19/05/2026 23:33

She is about 40 years old and a lot of her money is “mummy’s money”, private school and parents brought her a nice house in a nice area, so especially with knowing that, we really think she’s just acting abit entitled now.

What has this got to do with the fact the chickens YOU bought are the reason rats are in her garden?

We live on a farm, we make sure we are on top of any rats. They’re vile things and carry so many diseases, do you have any idea how quickly they breed? You sound like a nightmare neighbour tbh.

Becnextdoor · 19/05/2026 23:33

Strandas · 19/05/2026 23:29

I can’t decide if you’re trying to insult her age by thinking she’s too young or old to complain about rats?!

I was never trying to insult her age, I was adding it as if she had been younger and this was her first time living alone I would have allowed it more. I’m always doing free garden work for her on my days off, I even built a cat flap for her cat so it can get through our garden into the near woods - she doesn’t like her cat wondering in the road. Pest control came 4 days after she alerted me, and I put traps out on the first day.

OP posts:
Wreckinball · 19/05/2026 23:34

Your rats your problem but don’t p—her off too much or her new cat and dog may suddenly take a liking to your chickens and then there will be no chickens probably closely followed by the rats moving away

Strandas · 19/05/2026 23:37

Becnextdoor · 19/05/2026 23:33

I was never trying to insult her age, I was adding it as if she had been younger and this was her first time living alone I would have allowed it more. I’m always doing free garden work for her on my days off, I even built a cat flap for her cat so it can get through our garden into the near woods - she doesn’t like her cat wondering in the road. Pest control came 4 days after she alerted me, and I put traps out on the first day.

Edited

Ok, but I still don’t think age has a bearing on whether it’s acceptable to be annoyed with having a rat problem caused by a neighbour.

todayImstruggling · 19/05/2026 23:39

You need to make the chickens space rat proof. We have chickens and don’t have rats because we keep the space clean and free from food. All feed and water containers are removed every night and surplus feed cleared away. Make sure the area around the chicken run is kept clear so rats would have to come out ans not have anywhere to hide. Our primary run is on concrete so nothing can burrow underneath and that is the only place the chickens are fed.

I can’t blame your neighbour for being irritated by the presence of rats. I cannot stand them either. I would be very apologetic and be clearly showing that I am making a huge effort to get rid of them.

Xkk · 19/05/2026 23:44

Becnextdoor · 19/05/2026 23:33

I was never trying to insult her age, I was adding it as if she had been younger and this was her first time living alone I would have allowed it more. I’m always doing free garden work for her on my days off, I even built a cat flap for her cat so it can get through our garden into the near woods - she doesn’t like her cat wondering in the road. Pest control came 4 days after she alerted me, and I put traps out on the first day.

Edited

You helping her has absolutely nothing to do with your rats. You chose to help, you weren't force to, that is a choice you made. If the T&C for your help would be that she should tolerate rats from youe chickens I am sure she would decline your help. There are very few things I detest in this world, one of them is rats. If I would see rats in my garden I would be afraid to go out and enjoy my garden. She doesen't have to thank you and you need to start apologising, if I was in her shoes I would go balistic so you were quite lucky you only got complaints.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 19/05/2026 23:46

Why would she say thank you? The rats are caused by your chickens. Your judgement on her age and money makes you sound pretty unpleasant. She had every right to be stressed and annoyed, I’d say 4 days to call out pest control isn’t particularly quick.

Hopefully you manage to rat proof your chickens going forward

Lavender14 · 19/05/2026 23:46

"She is about 40 years old and a lot of her money is “mummy’s money”, private school and parents brought her a nice house in a nice area, so especially with knowing that, we really think she’s just acting abit entitled now."

All of this^ utterly irrelevant

"We've helped her out lots in the past"

Again^ utterly irrelevant

Being a decent neighbour and helping someone out at times doesn't generate a carte blanche for you when you then cause a problem (albeit unintentionally).

I know rats are just part of our natural bio diversity in outside spaces but they're super destructive if they decide to take a liking to a nearby house. We had major, major issues with rats destroying our electrics and even got into our water system and it needed checked and flushed. It was an absolute nightmare getting rid of them once they'd worked their way in.

So she's right to be pushing for this to be resolved urgently and the chickens unfortunately are the issue. Moving them and doing all you've done so far to address it is great but you can't expect her to not still be annoyed about a nuisance you've created without meaning to until its fully resolved. That doesn't make her entitled and there's no reason for you to fall out with her over it. A lot of people also have real phobias of rodents so this is probably really affecting her enjoyment of her home.

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