OP I think dealing with the rodent problem is your first course of action, as has been suggested. If they have bitten people, then the infestation is really serious. Rats carry many serious diseases. You may need to consider vacating the property, and not worry about the electrics and other services till later. You should make contact with your local district council and seek advice from them, my local DC offers chargeable services, including surveying and treatment. You may need to join forces with your neighbours to eradicate the problem. If the rats are using the sewers, then the local water company will need to be informed.
Hi,
Thank you for the input - I moved my mother on the day the rat bit her - lucky I did as it tried to get back into her room that very night & I am certain that it would have but her again as was the new pest controller. He killed one with a gun & strongly thought it was the one who bit her - I have a posted a pic of it in case it gives a guide to how big others in the house might also be.
We took her to hospital & they gave her a tetanus injection with some antibiotics & as she is 91, very frail with a complex medical situation, she was really vulnerable especially as she gets recurring chest infections & her heart is slowly failing. I have arranged a care person to help her bath etc & will not allow her back until the pest controller says he feels the situation is sorted.
I will be getting some of those one way non return drain valves designed to keep rodents out in the hope that they might at least deter them in future - some are extremely expensive for what they are!
We get on extremely well with our adjoining neighbours - basically we treat them like family & the one that shares the same drain with us is also an elderly, frail lady whom we look after & take care of as much as possible. Her son who visits once a week takes charge of all decisions & he is a real pain to deal with. I explained everything to him & he would not consider any joint venture to keep rats out even though it might affect his mother in future. A few days later, whilst the drain people were working on the manhole, they also confirmed the issue to him & he saw things for himself but he just said that if rats come into his mothers house then it was just tough luck for her. I gave up with him after hearing that - how does one deal with people like that?
Our local water company is called "Affinity" - I called them out earlier & they saw the rats in the drains for themselves so I do not know if the workmen informed their seniors and/or put it in their system.
I will ask my sister to speak to the council as well now & see if they can advise/help any further if they possibly can & if she has not already done so - thank you for the tip.
The smell under the stairs & in the kitchen is unbearable again so I am hoping this is because some of the traps previously placed have caught come of the critters.
I will take some pics of the Electrical Boxes under the stairs & post soon so you folks can see what our system looks like & let me know whether or not I have this RCD socket protection.
The nasty critters have also made their way into the cavity between the ceiling & tiled roof all the way into the back conservatory roof.
Many Kind Thanks,
Bazzzie
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