Rats

[Big Jimbo]

So while I have been away, my daughter told me that the rats were back in her kitchen ceiling. Now I expect they are getting into the walls by the lintels over the drains. The trouble is that the path is concrete, and to access the soil pipe and lintels I am going to have to break that up. Unfortunately that is on the neighbours land. I will have to sort that at the end of the day, but in the meantime, as the extension is 90's cavity, I guess they are getting into the cavity, and climbing up, then having a party in the ceiling. The extension needed some new facia boards. I took the opportunity to block off the top of the cavity (which I believe is now a recommendation in building regs.) I used a roll of stainless steel mesh. It has solved the problem although I expect they are still in the walls. I will sort that when I get a chance to sort with the neighbour about digging the path up.

[Onoff]

Got a link to the mesh you used?

[Big Jimbo]

I will get the Mrs to dig out the receipt, and let you know. Stainless steel, so no rot.

[Big Jimbo]

I cleared out about 25 nests, so it was a bigger problem than I thought. I put a gallon of white vinegar into the cavity. Poured onto the fluffy stuff. The smell apparently deters them for a time

[Big Jimbo]

@Onoff the smell when I took the facia boards off was bloody disgusting. I thought she was a right moan. I didn't tell her about all the nests.

[Onoff]

2 minutes ago, Big Jimbo said:

I cleared out about 25 nests, so it was a bigger problem than I thought. I put a gallon of white vinegar into the cavity. Poured onto the fluffy stuff. The smell apparently deters them for a time

 

Sounds like a parallel of my place. A concrete path all around. Pretty sure the footings bricks/blocks have a gaps in them. Won't know until I have the paths up. 

[Onoff]

7 minutes ago, Big Jimbo said:

@Onoff the smell when I took the facia boards off was bloody disgusting.

 

You get used to it! 🤮 

[Big Jimbo]

@Onoff. The mesh company . Com

Rodent mesh.

[ToughButterCup]

Rats are worthy enemies 

 

For our troop, we now have  - employ - 3 tomcats: two real hunters and one um, well , nice boy. A decent German air rifle, some night vision equipment and night sights.

 

They are currently keeping their heads down. I'm getting the local rat pack to pay us a visit this coming autumn. Where we are, we'll never be far from them. It's just a question of constant vigilance especially in late summer and early autumn. 

 

Good luck @Big Jimbo