Rats! I Got…Well…Rats: Update 2

Jun 3rd, 2007 by Baz L

Lil’ Bugger!!!! I just hope that’s the end of this Trilogy.

Popularity: 14%

12 Responses to “Rats! I Got…Well…Rats: Update 2”

on 03 Jun 2007 at 2:48 pm1big saver

WOW!!! That is a big mothablankblank!!!

I’m getting the shivers just lookin at that thing!
on 03 Jun 2007 at 5:47 pm2Jagular

Well if it’s a trilogy then it is not over, by definition. You’ve got one more rat post to go to make it a trilogy.

And on a brighter note, now you can hang the rat trap on the wall and use it to hold your mail.
on 03 Jun 2007 at 7:03 pm3Lulu

Ok Jagular I have heard of recycling …..but ewwwwwwwwww!
on 03 Jun 2007 at 9:24 pm4Baz L

Well Jag. I figure The first post was Espisode 1, then there were the two updates.

And, although you might have a good idea *shudder* I already threw out everything.

What I supposed to pry the lil’ bugger out of the trap? Oh well, I tossed everything. I might even toss the garbage bin. I have a small one I use in the kitchen. Since I live alone it makes no sense trying to fill up one of those 10 (or whatever) gallon trash bags.

But the lil’ bugger took a few bites out of the plastic garbage bin. In the spirit of frugality, I use grocery bags to line the inside of the bin. The bastard chewed through the bags and took couple hunks out of the rim of the bin.
on 03 Jun 2007 at 9:25 pm5Baz L

Oh, BTW. I just noticed. He shat his lil’ pants. LOL :D. Well, if he was wearing lil’ pants then he would have shat them. :D.

What? Is is bad taste to make fun of the dead?
on 04 Jun 2007 at 9:15 am6Big Saver

lol & smh…you really have a morbid sense of humor!
on 04 Jun 2007 at 11:56 am7Lisa P

Well, I am sitting in a motel room about 50 miles away from my apt in Chicago……as the same damn thing happened to me. Only it was Memorial Day night, I was sitting on my couch, when I saw one. Then in the dining room, I saw another……on a table. Then I saw another one running across the floorboard……and then another one, run from under the couch, and over my feet. I just moved in only 15 days ago…..and I got the fuck out.

Went back Saturday, and there were droppings everywhere….on my dresser, in my clothing, shoes, a plastic box in the hall closet where I hadnt secured the lid well……and I hate to tell you this, but if you see one, there’s at least 10 more hiding. Rats rarely travel alone, hence “rat pack”. If you own, that sucks for you. If you rent, it is your landlords deal to fix it by law.

I am a woman and I didn’t scream…….I was cursing, cussing and swearing worse than any man when I saw this. It was only when I went back and saw all the droppings that I had a hysterical panic attack. You are a braver person than me……bs if Im gonna trap anything and see one more again. I am OUT of there.
on 04 Jun 2007 at 5:56 pm8Baz L

Yeah, but their method of “fixing” was to get Pest Control to come set a trap. My question is, by law, have they fulfilled their duty? How does one deal with Rats anyways.

You’re depressing me with the whole rat pack thing. They set two traps. One was caught. I’ll leave the other one out (while watching my toes) for a few weeks and keep monitoring the droppings.

I even did a lil’ test last night. I left some food out. Is that asking for trouble, I don’t think so. It shouldn’t matter what I leave out. My apartment should be sealed so that all I get is the funk of rotting food :D. But I left a cookie on the floor, marked it with a quarter to see whether it got moved or not. Everything seemed fine.

I have to leave for a weekend in a few weeks, so that will be the true test.
on 04 Jun 2007 at 6:04 pm9Baz L

Now I know cartoons are supposed to be fictional, but I’m currently watching King of The Hill and Mr. Dale Gribble (the exterminator) was dealing with some rats and he had a big tank of gas. Why couldn’t they do something like that for me, huh?
on 04 Jun 2007 at 6:16 pm10Lisa

Unfortunatly, burning em’ is the only way to get fully rid of them. Otherwise, its a matter of keeping them out. Your landlord sure did NOT do enough by just having an exterminator come and set a trap-hell, you could’ve done that yourself.

Believe me, I know its psycological hell, man or not. Its a health issue as well as a horror issue. The droppings and urine alone can make people very sick. Unfortunatly since you are in texas, I dont know what the renter laws are for you, but in chicago, by law if the landlord doesnt elimate a rodent problem in the apt, they are fined out the ass and the city themselves will come in, inspect, try and fix it and then charge them…..and their reputation goes down, too.

Maybe yours is a isolated incident, one just happened to get in. That’s what you need to find out, the point of entry. They can get in thru the size of a nickle……so any cracks, especially between floor and wall, knotholes, under sinks near pipes, any hole with wiring….those need to be plugged up. Poisons can work but then you have the stench when they go off somewhere to die. I know its easier to just say it’s one and think its not a big deal, but if you google it, you’ll see the signs. They are not just after food. Like you posted, they can gnaw even thru plastic but they mostly love wood, and they want to nest somewhere. Just cuz you leave food out doesn’t mean there is nothing attracting them. Unlike a little house mouse looking for food and paper, rats are just there. Wood, clothing, paper, water and food is what they want. I really hope for you that it isnt a sign of worse things to come, but your landlord also needs to clean up the areas around your building, too. But once they are in it is difficult to get rid of them entirely and just setting out a trap ain’t gonna do it. For that one that you posted, yeah. For the others? I dunno. I hope you don’t come home to what I did, which is rat droppings over everything you own. Not trying to freak you out, but you have the makings of a big lawsuit and/or getting out of your lease because no, your ll isn’t doing it the right way at all.
on 04 Jun 2007 at 7:08 pm11Baz L

Damn…way to cheer me up :(.

So, what should I be looking for?

They did find where they thought it was getting in and they plugged up these places…So I guess that’s good.

Someone help!
on 04 Jun 2007 at 8:25 pm12Lisa

Hey, I know. Im not trying to make you feel worse, I know, ppl did that to me, too, posting pics of rats and whatever and making jokes on the forums Im on. But it is something that your landlord should be addressing.

Start googling. Try “bad landlords texas.” try “texas renters rights” or even “rats apartment texas” to see what the laws are pertaining to your rights. No one should have to be living with even one rat and you should be raising holy hell.

Here in chicago and its probaby true anywhere, you need to write a letter to your landlord stating when you saw the rat. Send it certified mail. They have 14 days to fix the problem. After that, you can either file a complaint, try to get out of your lease, or hire an exterminator of your own and then deduct it from the cost of your rent.

Look online for “how to tell a rat problem” or something similar. Things to watch for are gnaw marks on any wood. If you hear scratching, clawing or scampering in the walls. Rats are most active at dusk and then again right before dawn. They are nocturnal and you shouldn’t have any activity during the day, those that do have a SERIOUS problem. Any funky smell can indicate a rat’s nest, or any dark marks against the floorboards where their fur comes into contact with the wood. There’s a ton of info online-you just have to be willing to read it and find out. Easier said than done I know-but considering I saw 5 of them running around at once and I could do it-you can do it. After all, I’m a chick;)