Getting rid of rats/mice (merged threads)

Kiran

Try the large sonic repellent plug in devices like the one screwfix sells. It worked for my mother's house. The unit provide whole house coverage although I plugged it in to a socket in the problem area. Once you're clear you need to seal up every place you can find for them to access

Ainsley1

Rats are very difficult to eradicate once they have made a 'home'. Yes check if there are any more access holes but note they can climb well so could be getting in high up too.

Many poisons are now tolerated by rats, traps will catch a few, there are many alternative treatment to discourage.
Try as many as you can. Peppermint essential oil is just one on the discourage list (they do not like the smell) and is fairly cheap and easy to spread about (under the floor and in the attic) but I doubt if it will be the only treatment required! Large bottles (100ml or so can be had from well known auction/internet sites but shop around for best price!).

bobbymotors

Ive never had any luck with those sonic things

You need to find out where they are getting in nd block it

and put down lots of poison in lots of areas, especially under kitchen units behind kick boards,check every 2 days keep putting it down until thy stop eating it, and leave it down.

available quite cheaply on ebay, you want the blue coloured stuff, its good.

the smell will go away, but prepare for it as some will die under floorboards etc after poisoning. it DOES go away.

not nice OP

another_casualty

Regarding plug ins it’s a bit of a lottery finding the right one .
I’m crossing my fingers as I say this , but I have a plug called pest control 2000. It’s like a ghetto blaster in that it looks like 2 small speakers on a plug . It also has settings ( low/ high) for spiders etc .
It doesn’t affect birds or cats . There are cheaper ones that do.

In my last flat , I got squirrels in the loft . Thankfully the problem was eradicated in a couple of days. I had a hole in the eaves and they found their way in . I got my brother to apply his carpentary skills and block the whole they were entering .
I also put ammonia and mothballs up there and left the light on for a couple of days . I banged on the ceiling intermittently just to make sure.
It seems like your house needs a thorough investigation internally and externally to make sure. You may have done so already but triple check everything .

firefox1956

Block all the access holes properly when you find then.
Then use outdoor bait boxes to poison the rats BEFORE they get into your property.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/rat-bait-station

mchale

https://www.screwfix.com/p/pest-stop-sure-set-plastic-mousetraps-2-pack/70203

make sure you wash after use

Jonesya

Is there anything drawing them into your house, or drawing then to the area around the house, like food sources in the area - poorly sealed bins, bird food or food for animals?

Do you ever see then around outside or in the garden?

itchyfeet123

I found evidence of mice in my pantry. Cleaned out all the droppings, temporarily removed everything in there, put down traps. I caught one mouse on the first night, but nothing the next two nights.
Do I need to replace the bait (peanut butter) in the traps I set on day one?
Will I have to leave the traps there indefinitely (I can't get to their access point and I'm in a multi unit building)?
When can I feel confident they're gone?

50Twuncle

itchyfeet123 wrote: »

I found evidence of mice in my pantry. Cleaned out all the droppings, temporarily removed everything in there, put down traps. I caught one mouse on the first night, but nothing the next two nights.
Do I need to replace the bait (peanut butter) in the traps I set on day one?
Will I have to leave the traps there indefinitely (I can't get to their access point and I'm in a multi unit building)?
When can I feel confident they're gone?

Look for droppings - if they are fresh, you have mice

cepheus

Hi

I've suspected rats or mice in the house for some time after hearing scratching in the attic and seeing various bags getting ripped in two food cupboards. A few days ago I noticed some gaps and entry points in the back of the cupboards so I repaired them thinking the rat would go away. Some hope!

Last night I heard loud scratching, at first I assumed it was my neighbour doing some woodwork! Looking today I can see a large hole a few inches high in the back of the cupboard as if the plywood has been chewed through. An entire bag of noodles was dragged part way through with all but a few scraps missing!

So what's the best solution? Do councils still deal with this, or do we pay a pest control company, or do it myself with poison or rat traps?

I have a sonic deterrent for cats if that's of any use. I don't think my Labrador will be much use since it's a fitted cupboard and I've never seen anything. I suspect it may be getting in via the holes for the central heating pipes around the back, but it's all very cramped and could be getting in anywhere. There are no droppings and have never seen the rat.