Scratch scratch scratch... Something is in my wall

Pandilex

Hello,

Not sure if this is the right forum please move it if it's not.

I rent a property and for the last few days there has been a scratching sound coming from what I assume is inside the wall behind my bed.

It starts at random times, usually 11pm-midnight or 3am or 5am. I am guessing it's a small rodent.

Although I am renting a semi detatched house the bedroom doesn't actually join onto the neighbours property, it sticks out independently. It has a sloping tiled roof, and it seems to be brick construction.

As I am renting I guess I should tell the landlord but do you think they're likely/able to do anything? It's a brick wall so am confused as to how a rat or whatever can be inside it. I can only think that since it's hard to pinpoint the exact location in the wall it might actually be coming from the roof or something.

I've had like 3 hours sleep, ended up sleeping on the sofa. The scratching noise is really very loud although my phone couldn't pick it up for some reason.

System

Yes, you should tell the landlord. A pest controller will have a lot of experience and will be able to take preventative measures to stop the rats coming into the property. They can survey the property and fill in any holes/gaps that allow the rats to come in and also lay poison down where they feel it will be best.

I don't really understand the description you have given of the property. It can't be just a bare brick wall? My guess would be that the rats have found a way in via the foundation and they are running up and down the walls into the loft/roof. Or alternatively they have climbed up the house into the roof.

Ask your neighbour. It is likely they have a similar issue.

TBagpuss

It may be a bird ratherthan a rat but I agree that the first step is to speak to the landlord

G_M

Far more likely to be a mouse.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rentokil-Advanced-Mouse-Trap-Twin/dp/B000T5N0JE

sorted

and see
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4730273

tiger_eyes

If there's a sloping roof above your bedroom, I second the suggestion that it may be birds - not even inside, but outside. I used to hear extremely loud scratching and I was convinced we had mice until I realised I was hearing birds on the roof above my head.

ruggedtoast

Mice make loads of noise.

Pandilex

Thanks for the info. I'm 99% sure it's inside the wall but I do have a sloped roof above. Presumably it's in there, or it got in through there.

I will inform the landlord once I've tidied up a bit and maybe he'll simply come over with some ladders and do something, I don't know anything about housing construction so I'm not sure where he'd put a trap if anywhere. Presumably whatever it is comes and goes unless it's surviving on meals of insulation and boredom.

I really need to buy my own house and move out, come on Bristol housing market!

DRP

having just sold in Bristol (Southville), I sympathise - it is mad at the moment!

We have previously had mice and the noise sounds very similar to your situation - sporadic night-time scratching, hard to locate. Based on our experience they were beneath the floorboards and in the loft and I saw one in the hall and my wife saw one in the bedroom...little !!!!!!s.

The pest control people put poisoned seeds around the place along with traps. No idea if they were effective as we never fond any corpses, but the there was never any evidence of infestation after that...

Pandilex

If you don't mind me being nosy did you sell above asking price? After being turned down offering way above asking price for another property I am wondering if it was a one off (the property was very nice) or if I am doomed to have to offer massive piles of cash to beat the competition...!

PheoUK

When we had this it was rats in the roof space.

We could hear them inside the walls in the lounge.

antrobus

Pandilex wrote: »

....I will inform the landlord once I've tidied up a bit and maybe he'll simply come over with some ladders and do something, ....

Or maybe he'll point out that it's your problem?

The general rule with vermin is that; if they were there at the time you moved in it's the landlord's problem; if they arrive sometime afterwards it's yours.

Pandilex wrote: »

....I really need to buy my own house and move out, come on Bristol housing market!

http://www.bristol.gov.uk/page/environment/pest-control