Got a bit of a rat problem. Some rats are living in the small roofspace (8 feet x 3 feet x 4 feet approx) above my kitchen which juts out from the main house. They're also heard in the main attic, and in the wall cavity of both houses. The local council only provides an advisory service and say the house (and adjoining neighbour's house) has had a long history of rats, and cant offer any further advice. I've got 4 B&Q rat traps in the main attic, and 9 of them in the small kitchen attic - most baited with chocolate and chocolate biscuits. I check the roofspaces every fortnight and no traps have been touched. There's some poison up there too, B&Q rat killer stuff, but it hasnt been eaten.
In the small roofspace above the kitchen, I can see tunnels in the insulation where they're living and any time I poke my head up there I hear them scurrying away into the tunnels.
Had a drain specialist out who put cameras down the drains, but came up with no sources of entry. Found a possible point of entry and have blocked it up, so there may be no way for them to get out. In any case, i'd like them to leave in a rat trap so I can be sure they're dead and out, and dont cause a stink in an inaccessible place.
I've had a cat for a year now. I've let it have a sniff around in the main attic and even brushed it up there to get its hairs around to put the rats off settling there. Doesnt seem to have had any effect.
Considering getting protective equipment and pulling all the insulation down from above the kitchen, unless any of you can give me any advice. I imagine they may attack when I start dismantling their "home".
Any advice?
thanks, Mark.