Rat or mouse??

[daveaspy]

Had some tapping and scratching/gnawing sounds in the ceiling but not seen any physical evidence so put a camera in the eaves storage and caught the culprit.
Camera didn't get a great view unfortunately - I have tweaked the positioning and will see if I get another shot (and I've ordered some mouse traps), but any thoughts from this?

Full frame still for scale...

 

[HERTS P&D]

Rat!

Andy

 

[daveaspy]

Rat!

Andy

hmm, thats my worry - not sure the mouse traps will be big enough (they are humane ones that just trap it inside). My local council does a free rat and mouse poison service so might be best just calling them in.

 

[Murdochcat]

You need to get that sorted asap.

Rats like the taste of electric cable and can do a huge amount of damage very quickly

 

[Stivino]

hmm, thats my worry - not sure the mouse traps will be big enough (they are humane ones that just trap it inside). My local council does a free rat and mouse poison service so might be best just calling them in.

You don't want to poison them in the house, they die in a corner that you'll never find, and stink the place out for years.

 

[Mottie]

hmm, thats my worry - not sure the mouse traps will be big enough (they are humane ones that just trap it inside). My local council does a free rat and mouse poison service so might be best just calling them in.

You can get humane as well as snap traps for rats. Search on Google.

 

[bernardgreen]

My unwanted visitors are dealt with using one of these.

Pest-Stop Plastic & Metal Battery-Powered Mouse Killer - Screwfix

A rat sized version is ( was ) available

 

[JBR]

I have seen a rat outside in our garden, but hopefully as we have two cats, it won't venture into the house.

There's the answer: cats, preferably two.

 

[daveaspy]

Rat and mouse trap arrived yesterday - decided to lay the big one, but new footage looks more like a small mouse with those big ears! it ran around outside the trap, showing no interest, then ran off. There's always the chance its not the same animal I snapped in my first post

 

[Notch7]

Rat and mouse trap arrived yesterday - decided to lay the big one, but new footage looks more like a small mouse with those big ears! it ran around outside the trap, showing no interest, then ran off. There's always the chance its not the same animal I snapped in my first post
View attachment 335669

Definitely a mouse

Rodents are hyper sensitive to change on their normal route or territory, it will take time before they venture close to a trap.

 

[Odds]

Most certainly mouse. I caught a rustle in the rockery and assumed ours was making her way home yesterday. They prefer the night; nice n' quiet. Best put your cornflakes on a higher shelf.

On a slightly related note - i dredged the pond this morning and found a huge bubble of frog spawn lurking 'neath the duckweed. First spawn for four years. Looking forward to the patter of tiny feets by Samhain.

 

[bernardgreen]

it ran around outside the trap, showing no interest,

Peanut butter is a good bait.

 

[daveaspy]

Peanut butter is a good bait.

I've put peanut butter and chocolate drops

 

[HERTS P&D]

I have seen a rat outside in our garden,

Do you think it is the same one that is in the OP's loft?

Andy

 

[JBR]

Do you think it is the same one that is in the OP's loft?

Andy

Yes, quite probably. They do get around, you know. It'll probably turn up in your house tomorrow.