So I'm dealing with a really frustrating situation: there's a rat gnawing away inside my walls, particularly under the kitchen cabinets, and I can't seem to get rid of it. I rent my home, and a few months back I started hearing the rat at 5 am with that aggressive gnawing noise. Since the rat isn't actually inside my living space, the exterminator I called didn't have any effective solutions—he suggested ripping out the cabinets, which isn't ideal! My landlord just keeps saying that pest control is my responsibility, so I'm stuck in this annoying loop. I'm also feeling a lot of anxiety about this and wish I could change how I'm feeling about it. Anyone had a similar experience? What did you do?
3 Answers
Contact your city. They usually have programs for rodent control that are low-cost or even free because it’s a public health issue. Plus, look for any holes or gaps in your property where the rat could be getting in. If you find any, report that to your landlord since it's their responsibility to fix that. Maybe even think about outside traps if you can figure out where the entry point is.
Honestly, a lot of kitchen cabinets have removable kick plates. If you can, try putting traps under there or even under the dishwasher. Just keep in mind, it's rare to have only one rat. If you've heard it for months, there might be more, so getting some traps set up is a good idea.
You might want to look for a new exterminator, honestly. It sounds like the one you had didn’t really help. Also, check if your landlord can assist; pests are typically their responsibility too, especially when it involves entry points like walls. Consider glue traps or even reaching out to your city’s health department, as they often have resources or programs for this kind of situation.
Yeah, definitely try a different exterminator! I had a similar issue, and the second one I called was way more proactive. Also, if the city can help, that's even better.
Thanks for the advice! I found a hole in the foundation, but I'm worried about blocking it and trapping the rat inside. Still, I’ll contact the city and see what they suggest!