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Mon Oct 2nd, 2017
 | 09:20 pm
There are always bumps and thumps in my house, from old timber or crotchety pipes, or from houses rebuilding out front and back and echoing down the walkways. This morning there was a steady bumping coming from the side walkway, as I judged it: but as I walked into the kitchen I realized it came from the blue box I keep there for recyclables. And in the box, with its nose in an empty and washed bottle of keffir, was a sleek brown rat. I watched it for several seconds wondering what I could cover the box with to get it outside. But Ratso finally became aware of me, leaped up and out, and vanished I couldn't follow where. Not behind the fridge or bookshelf, which I at once pulled out; maybe into the living room.
Last week I found odd things fallen on the floor from the lower kitchen bookshelves, enough to wonder if we'd had a mild earthquake one night; but now all is explained. Lucky to live in the future: within minutes I was online and talking to a 5-star pest control company that seems to be run entirely by women. If not for work, they'd have been here Thursday, but now will come out Wednesday week. Have read what a time-consuming process it is to get rid of rats, so I possess my soul in patience. At least it's not raccoons moving in. And meanwhile have spread CritterRidder around the baseboards. I dislike the smell as much as critters are said to, so I hope Ratty will keep to his (I suspect) basement home for now.
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If you *will* live in a big city... Of course, the same is true and more so if you choose to live in the country. Of all the things ... eeeeek! No really I wouldn't be able to stay even! I'd be too petrified to move even. Just . no .
I hope they clear the house for you.
I hear the bumps and things .. and I try not to listen too hard or think too hard about the noises. 'Takes about a month' says the exterminator cheerfully. At least that's a realistic appraisal. Rats are smart and I'm told never fall for the same trap twice. The cook at work was telling me stories about the restaurant where she worked before. 'I think they get out their cell phones and text each other- stay away from that Thing by Freezer #3.' Oh, sympathies! We had such a visitor last year sometime (I think it was last year - a while back, anyway) and I absolutely hated the experience.
We first became aware of it at night, in bed, hearing a strange rustling from under the bed, and saying to each other "Is that you?" "No, is it you?".
So I say to your Wanderer:
"Stay in the basement, Ratso!" - all the best for next Wednesday. Rodents are never any fun. I may say differently a few weeks from now, but rats can and do think and thus I feel can be out-thought. Also they're said to be shy and people-avoidant. Mice are as dumb as flies or moths and wander all over the house, as they do: and do, of course, steal bait from traps without getting caught.
But something *in the bedroom* would freak me utterly. I can live with it in the basement and occasionally emerging from under the stove, as one did tonight (freaked by the vacuum cleaner) but having it in My Space- no. ![[User Picture]](https://l-userpic.livejournal.com/11690011/1379663) | | From: |  mvrdrk |
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| Date: | October 5th, 2017 01:33 am (UTC) |
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Oh dear! I hope they do a good job of getting the rat out and keeping them out. It's never just one. We had them in the walls and ceilings at one point, and that was just awful, hearing them and knowing they were there.
My condolences on the hip. Core, maybe, but also try glutes, depending on how and where it's nagging at you. I've concluded I need to get back to exercising, so I'm going to sign up for classes at the local senior center. I haven't the discipline to do it by myself long term and our summer weather is coming to and end so no fewer and fewer lovely outdoor days.. This infestation is fairly recent, I'd judge: I only started hearing something in the walls last week. So I'm hoping it can be cleared out easily, though given the state of my foundations I suspect they have many points of ingress. I knew they were in the neighbourhood because I see the squashed corpses in the road from time to time.
Not to tempt fate, but at least it's not bedbugs.
I've been exercising the glutes for two years now, so I suppose it's core, exacerbated by the latest weight gain. And I suppose I must go back to the assembly-line physiotherapist who at least does traction and ultrasound. Heigh-ho... |
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