Rats

It’s been an interesting (and not in a good way) last few days. We’d been coming downstairs to food being eaten, wires chewed through, and general chaos, and assumed it was a mouse — until this morning proved otherwise.

To be honest, when I first saw the state of the bananas, half eaten and shredded, I did wonder if it was something bigger than a mouse…

We bought traps and set them out, but nothing happened. Last night after seeing Tucks, I even set my alarm for 5.30am so I could check the traps before the Airbnb guests were up. Came down at 3.00am — nothing. Alarm went, checked again — still nothing.

I went into the library to move one of the traps when I suddenly caught movement behind me. Turned around and saw this huge rat scurrying down a hole near the unused chimney. It was big. So that was the culprit. Put the trap right by his hole and went back to bed, let Tash know — she was not happy.

In the morning he still hadn’t bitten, so we made a plan. Later today I filled the hole with expanding foam, hoping it’s the only entry point. Before sealing it I threw a load of poison chunks down there. I’m worried it’s not the only hole and he’ll find another way in — or that there’s more than one rat. Not a pleasant thought.

Bought another box of poison and refilled the one by the back door. The last thing we want is rats in the house. There was even evidence of it in the bathroom cupboard, which is worrying — no idea how it got there.

Let’s see if this does the trick. I’m not convinced, but we’ll find out soon enough.

Reflection:
Today was more stressful than anything else — and the not knowing makes it worse. Fingers crossed the measures we’ve taken actually work.