Mouse trap??

[darrenh]

I was sat watching TV last night after finally moving the sofa into the back room following several weeks of resoration when I noticed a scratching sound ...

Anyway, to my dismay there is an animal under the sub floor ... I have no idea what animal though.

The sound is like something chewing on a plastic bag - or the russle of a plastic bag. It stops when I hit the area with a shoe...

Anyway, I have checked all around the house and can see no possible entry point - can these guys swim through a u-bend?

I'm semi - detached - is is possible that they could enter under next doors house?

To the main question - how do I kill whatever it is without leaving a corpse under the house - a mousetrap? (what do I use to tempt them onto the trap?) Does amouse trap work for rats too?

Ta

D

 

[masona]

I'm semi - detached - is is possible that they could enter under next doors house?

Yes,if the centre wall is a sleeper wall which is vented though.The noise you're describing sounds like a hegdehog.
Your local council should be able to help you,normally free service,best to ring them first.Please don't kill it as they get very frighten.

 

[darrenh]

Masona - would be great if it was a hedgehog - what makes you think that and how can I tell for defintie!!

I'll take the board up tonight and have a look - should it be 'sleeping'???

 

[masona]

would be great if it was a hedgehog - what makes you think that and how can I tell for defintie!!

Happen to me a few years ago,if it's a hedgehog then see this

I'll take the board up tonight and have a look

The only way but be careful if it's a rat which could jump out over you.

 

[nickrl]

Darren,
I once redid a house in Earlsfield and they noticed the same problem a few weeks after moving in. Turns out one of the ex-tenants hadn't bothered to put abrick back when building an extension and frogs had found their way into the underside of the house. Problem was, with all the rubbish people just chuck under the floorboards, there was ample things that would rustle if it moved about. Laying poison may not be advisable if it croaks and dies somewhere non-accessible (once the stench starts). Maybe you could spend a week trcking its primary path and concentrating on trying to cut it off from it's exit/entry source. Mouse traps are a bit flaky in my experience. Tie a string to whatever type of device you use to be able to pull it out. Hope this helps.

 

[darrenh]

Nickrl

That's a lovely story - maybe you should go back to bed now.

Masona - I'll put some cat food down tognight and if it is gone in the morning then apparently it is a hedgehog (or maybe a cat!!!).

cheers

D

 

[masona]

You could also put milk on a saucer on the ground level and see what happen.

 

[breezer]

aparently cows milk is BAD for hodgehegs, but cat food isnt?

 

[AdamW]

Yes, they lack the necessary enzymes in their stomach to break down the lactose in the milk. However, the same is true of cats and I have never seen a cat get the runs from drinking milk. I dunno, can't hurt to be safe I suppose (unless you want a trail to follow it).