Getting rid of rats/mice (merged threads)

Jim_Chem

I have a bit of a problem with rats getting into my ground floor flat. I contacted my landlord, who first told me to get some repelant which i did and also some traps.

Now I have contacted him again because the problem does not seem to be getting any better, I have one in both traps every morning, and he has asked me to wait a bit longer because "it costs alot of money to get the pest control in". My problem is that rats carry alot of disease so its not good to have them running around my flat.

I am unsure of what my next step should be in getting it dealt with, does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you

Jim

robpw2

how long ago did you report it ?
i suggest you put in in wirting to him if you havent already and then call housing standards at your local council explain the issue and they will if necessarily do the job then serve him with the bill
your other option is to seek quotes of how much it will cost and then take the money out of your rent with the invoice attached to show thats what the moneys been used for (i would suggest doing this as a last resort)

Jim_Chem

well we first contacted him about 2 weeks ago. (I ended up having to send him a letter befor he would get back in touch with me). I think its a bit bad making me wait 3 weeks befor being willing to get someone in to sort it out.

safesound

Do contact your local council as some offer a free service, but ultimately you will need professional pest control help. Look in the phone book for pest control and ask for some quotes from private companies, you may be surprised how little it costs as business is tight for everyone these days. Obviously its not your responsibility to pay but remember whilst your arguing with your LL over who and how much your still living with rats (:eek:)

diable

Tell him that you may think it would be a good idea if you got someone in from the Councils pest control department that you would pay for this yourself and deduct the amount from the rent.

Lets see how quickly he gets his !!!! in gear and sorts the problem out when you tell him this.

stef240377

I wondered if any of you kind hearted souls could give me some advise.

Today Hubby has gone in the loft well leant in just beyond the hatch opening to grab a bag of xmas goodies to wrap up and the first carrier bag has been attacked (scratched to high heaven as though it has been dragged through a thorn bush) and MY xmas box of Thontons chocs has been demolished - box aswell as chocs so rules out greedy kids.

Inside the remenants of the carrier bag there are small mouse like droppings, we have seen no signs of furry creatures and the majority of the loft floor got boarded last year after the insulation was topped up.

I have rung the non too helpful housing association today and they have said it is most likely to be bats as its that time of year and they wont do anything to help. Managed to get a telephone number for the company they use for mice and rats who have advised they only do a morning call out and earliest we can arrange is this thurs. Hubby is currently in the loft attempting with his disability to search for the unwanted pest(s) and to ensure nothing else has been attacked or to see if he can find an entry point.

So my question is other than the obvious of baiting traps what else could we be doing which is not a breech of my tenancy agreement to deter visitors and to help us on our way to ridding the blighters? Have been tempted to throw the two cats up there.

mrcow

It's most likely to be rats or mice. The problem is that they tend to urinate over everything. So it's all going to need to come out to either be thrown or cleaned.

I dont think putting the cats up there is a bad idea at all.

stef240377

Perhaps then MRCOW it hubbies way of saying we are putting too much in the loft and its a conspiracy to take it all the tip!

glenrobbiescamp

Hi.It could well be a squirrell, I had one in my loft and called the council pest control who sent a man out. He laid poison down and it died in the loft, the smell for the next six weeks was horrendous.My advice is buy a trap and catch it alive.Then drown it. Good luck.

stef240377

Would squirel droppings be consistent with the mice looking ones we have found?