Vermin update

[miekec]

Well, the rat is indeed in the basement.


nekowoman and tardyt went a-looking, and in the very far back corner, but the window was indeed a creature. A saw it, apparently, and D heard it hiss when she got close. Didn't know they could do that. That was enough, in any case, for them.
I went outside to check for holes.

Oy.

It is worse than I thought. The foundation is in a bad state; crumbling in the corner, gaps obviously visible, unknown how far they go. I poked around with a stick to gauge, but it was hard to tell. Beyond simple repair, it looks like. Where does one find a mason who knows fieldstone these days? It's beyond a simple window replacement. For now, I stuffed any gap I could see and get to with steel wool (thanks for the suggestion!). Went through a whole box of SOS pads, since that's the closest to steel wool we have handy. Besides, they probably won't like the soap flavor either.
For now, that'll have to do. We'll leave instructions for Weasley on where to find the rat and how to dispose of it. One can always hope.

Comments

[goddessfarmer.livejournal.com]

I actually do know a mason who is good at fieldstone. I think you've seen our barn cellar, and I don't think I made a big deal over which parts were new and which were 200+ years old. You are quite a hike for him, but I could give him a ring and see if he goes that far.

[miekec]

Thanks. I may check suspects first for someone localer. But will keep in mind

[nekowoman.livejournal.com]

I was quite surprised to find that rat can hiss. Yes, apparently they can (http://www.ratbehavior.org/WhatIsMyRatDoingFAQ.htm#Hissing). It scared the pants off of me.

A had gone in the basement to investigate a noise Weasley was fixated on in the kitchen (under the sink/behind the dishwasher). A saw the rat in the corner, but it hid behind some tar paper stacked in a corner. In the far back corner of the basement there's a metal shelving unit packed full of old computer equipment and manuals. There's about a foot gap between that and the corner. That space is filled with rolls of tar paper. On the other side of the corner, long garment bags are hanging from the ceiling and luggage lines the wall underneath. A told me he saw the rat and was trying to investigate further. I told him to go get Weasley.

While A was off searching for the cat, I tried to get a better look. I was trying to use the viewfinder on the camera and the flashlight together to look down the tubes of paper. I couldn't *quite* see. I leaned a little further in. I couldn't see *yet* so I stepped just a bit closer. As I tried to reposition the camera, I heard the rat *hiss* at me! The hiss was just ABOVE my head next to my ear! I made a hasty retreat... caution being the better part of valor and all. :)

When I was later telling J the tale, he questioned why I didn't go after the rat. *rolling eyes* I reminded him of a truism we both believe. Use the right tool for the right job.

Here Weasley... here kitty, kitty... :)

[nekowoman.livejournal.com]

Well, it appears that Weasley *has* done his job. Good kitty... Perhaps we should have left him more specific directions though...

Wednesday evening there was a fly in the kitchen. In the back of my mind I started to wonder. It's too early in the season for flies. That and I like to watch CSI. (I think Grisham is *very* sexy as I go for brains first in men).

Thursday evening there were two flies in the kitchen.

Can you see where this is going yet?

Today when I came home Mieke said she had A take out the garbage as it was smelling. As I've been sick for days, I can't smell a thing. But 90 degrees does help bring the message home...

M, K and A packed up and headed for commencement weekend fun. J flew in later to pack up the motorcycle and follow suit.

J came home, walked in the kitchen and said he smelled rat... *dead* rat. *SIGH* *Two day old dead rat* Apparently they smell quite different from dead humans. I'll take his word for it. *shaking head* The things some folks know.

And so the hunt began... moving things systematically. Clearing things away. Searching the basement, searching the upstairs... after about two hours of searching we determined that it appears to be inside the wall. The wall of a *very* old house.

Yep... lathe and plaster. Ancient walls... the kind that ripping into might not be so good for your health. Dust full of lead paint particles and likely asbestos. The kind where you put respirators on before breaking into them. *sigh* I guess being severely congested has its merits on occasion - I can barely smell the rat despite the heat. Though when I try, I actually can now...

So now I am here and J has gone. Not leaving me alone to deal with the situation, J called in reinforcements for the morning. He figures tomorrow in the 90 degree projected heat the smell will become more localized and easier to find. Gee. What a nice thought.

I have images of Amityville Horror scenes in the kitchen tomorrow... flies and all. LOL But hey, look at the bright side! I don't have to worry about rats launching themselves at me from the ceiling while I make coffee, right?

The kitchen really needed a deep cleaning anyhow... M's parents are coming in soon... So we've got a dead rat, a dead couch in the backyard, no couch in the living room and one sick caretaker. Welcome to my slice of hell. :)

Seriously though, I am more amused than anything... I *know* I have a perverse sense of humor, but I actually do better with big problems than little ones sometimes. A little hard work doesn't scare me. And it's less stressful since it's not really *my* problem, even though I'm the one working on it.

More tomorrow... back to cleaning up and clearing out the kitchen.