Got rats coming through the chimneys - Sealing fireplaces?

pine77

Got a small late victorian flat on the first floor. Place is a dump but the 3 fireplaces are sweet and well preserved.

Problem is rats like to tumble down the chimneys and raid my flat at around 3am. I want to preserve the fire places - what sort of money am I look at for sealing them so rats can't visit anymore? What is commonly done to seal fireplaces to stop rats?

elsien

Wouldn't it be more effective to work out where the rats are nesting and sort that instead?

pine77

They live outside. You can hear them marching up and down the roof tops of the area late at night. Anyone who leaves a window open gets a nice surprise..

Couple nights ago one came falling down my chimney. That is not its technique for leaving a nest, but rather an undignified entry to my flat. Sometimes during the day you see them emerging from the street gutter grates. Sadly, this is the reality of living in Brentford.

DRP

pine77 wrote: »

Got a small late victorian flat on the first floor. Place is a dump but the 3 fireplaces are sweet and well preserved.

Problem is rats like to tumble down the chimneys and raid my flat at around 3am. I want to preserve the fire places - what sort of money am I look at for sealing them so rats can't visit anymore? What is commonly done to seal fireplaces to stop rats?

I've never heard of rats entering via fireplaces , but presumably what you need is to actually seal/cover the chimney rather than the fireplace...?

Otherwise you're likely to be getting the trapped rats dying behind your sealed fireplaces...

warmhands.coldheart

What about getting a cat? If you're renting the landlord can't exactly complain about you having pets as technically you already have some !!

christineperseus

put a rat trap with spring loaded door at the bottom for him to fall into!

Melaniep101

DRP wrote: »

I've never heard of rats entering via fireplaces , but presumably what you need is to actually seal/cover the chimney rather than the fireplace...?

Otherwise you're likely to be getting the trapped rats dying behind your sealed fireplaces...

DRP is right, you could end up with some rather unpleasant odours!

kathrynha

Would lighting a fire and smoking them out work in the short term?

pine77

warmhands.coldheart wrote: »

What about getting a cat? If you're renting the landlord can't exactly complain about you having pets as technically you already have some !!

I would love one, its just i travel a lot and don't want to shell out for cat homes all the time.

pine77

kathrynha wrote: »

Would lighting a fire and smoking them out work in the short term?

It seemed to have done the trick in the kitchen fireplace yes. However the flat filled with smoke for some reason and i smoked out myself. The problem is, unless i do it all the time, they will use that chimney again and again.

cyclonebri1

kathrynha wrote: »

Would lighting a fire and smoking them out work in the short term?

I love that approach:T:T

I have seen rats scale vertical walls of 2 stories, they really can climb, or rather they simply run up them

It comes down to is the place yours or rented?, meshing over the fireback would be cheap and effective if rented or short term, bricking up in soft blocks would be better and can still be removed for later if you have plans,
Hope that helps.