Rats-rented accom-is it a problem?

fimonkey

Odd title I know... we have rats (or squirrels) living in our loft space by the sound of it. We have a cat, and there's been no sign of them IN the flat.

LL and I are both animal lovers, I would hate to see them killed (especially inhumanely by rat poison) but also realise that trapping and releasing them won't solve the problem as they'll just come back.

Is it really a problem to just ignore them? What's the worse that could happen?

Cheers in advance.

BitterAndTwisted

Much more likely to be squirrels than rats high up there. They can cause heinous damage but you might get lucky and find they're about to start hibernating, so the roof might not collapse until spring. They need to be trapped but I'm sure I read somewhere that it's not legal to destroy them. I'd have a chat with your landlord so they can look into sorting it, or better, put it in writing.

ETA: From The Telegraph: "Pest controllers say call-outs to deal with squirrels have reached record levels in the past 18 months. "We don't have the exact figures yet, but we are definitely dealing with more squirrel cases than ever before," says Savvas Othon, Rentokil's technical director. "Some people seem to tolerate squirrels in the attic in the way they would never tolerate rats or birds. Squirrels are very destructive creatures." In one recent case a woman left squirrels in her loft, but called in Rentokil when a bird flew in. "We found the squirrels had chewed all the cables and stripped them to the wire. They were sparking - she was lucky the house didn't burn down."



According to the same article it is lawful to trap and shoot them, so why not pop out and buy an air-rifle?

bitsandpieces

If they're rats, just cause you haven't seen the things doesn't mean they haven't been in the flat. Unhygienic animals, breed very fast, eat anything they can get at, and can cause damage. If you don't do anything, you could end up with vast numbers of the things with may need to be killed using more painful methods than if dealt with earlier (you can maybe trap a few rats, if there's a colony you'll need poison etc. too).

If squirrels, they can do damage. They should also be dealt with. Killing grey squirrels is arguably good for UK wildlife anyway: it's because we have so many greys that the reds are almost gone

Either way, tell the landlord so they can sort it. If you leave it too long, you may just end up with more pests that need killing.

Jowo_2

Have you discussed the problem with the landlord yet? Tenants are obligated to report maintenance problems to the landlord and this will cover things like pests. Shelter recommend that tenants keep good records and should report repairs in writing to a landlord, keeping a copy.

Have a look at the local council website - they may offer a free or cheap pest control service.

beccad

Yes they're a problem either way. Squirrels could cause your roof to collapse. Rats are just plain vile and will breed and breed. They're incontinent and could well be getting into your property without you realising.

Get it sorted out!

MrsTinks

Definitely get them sorted - as you have a cat then ideally without the use of poison (mice could eat the poison and if your cat is a mouser then the consequences could be serious!)

googler

When your body needs to release its natural waste, I'll assume you make a trip to the bathroom, release it into the usual receptacle, flush away, and wash your hands before going about your business again.

Whether rats, mice, squirrels, bats, whatever - do you think they'll be doing the same as you, or do you think they'll be p-ing and cr*pping all over the attic and in the crawl spaces that they use to get to and from the attic?

It can't be healthy to leave them to their own devices in your home....

theartfullodger

Hope they ain't bats as bats is protected...


Cheers!

Lodger

_bankrupted

If they are squirrels, once caught they have to be destroyed. It is illegal to release them back into the wild.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-389976/Gardener-facing-prosecution--releasing-squirrels-wood.html

fimonkey

Hmm thanks for all your replies. I suppose we need to get up there in the loft and have a look at what they are (or what damage they're doing as I don't suppose they're gonna hang about and say hi to us when we do have a look.

I've already told our landlady, who actually lives in the flat below us (it's a converted detached house, just our flat and hers). As she is an animal lover too she said she'd only deal with them if we wanted her to... I didn't want them dealt with if it meant poison (she has cats too).

I hope its bats!!

Thanks again

googler

fimonkey wrote: »

Hmm thanks for all your replies. I suppose we need to get up there in the loft and have a look at what they are (or what damage they're doing ....

Trip to B&Q for a face mask first, though....