Advice Needed Regarding Potential Rodent Damage To Electrical Cables/System

[Bazzzy]

Hi All,

I was advised by a member of another tech forum to ask for help over here. We have had an influx of Rats & Mice at our home over the last six months.

We got very badly screwed over by a Pest Controller that was recommended to us - he told us that he had checked the drains & that was not their entry point (which it actually was). He then said he had properly filled in all the entry points in the house so was 99.99% certain they would not come back.

He then stopped coming round for check ups when we were still getting a large number of rodents. One of the entry points was in the cupboard under the stairs where the Circuit Breaker Boxes are & all the cables that lead from under it into the floorboards.

It was found that the rats had begun to chew into one/some of the cables leaving a part of it/them exposed of the copper inside.

The view I was told was that it was not that bad & covering up the damaged part with insulation tape would be good enough.

After this pest controller would not respond to our calls to deal with more rats coming in, I got another one round to inspect things. He found that not any of the entry points round the house had been sealed as promised & that the cupboard under stairs had massive entry points as the floorboards were just left unsecured & partly open so the rats were able to easily get in & out.

Because the first pest controller totally lied about sealing the entry points & even made things much worse by leaving the floorboards unsecured, I am really now a little concerned at how bad the damage to the electrical cables might have been & if it was just a bodge job putting electrical tape over the damaged part however small. I was under so much stress at the time, I trusted what I was told.

I have no way to know if that was the only damage done by rats or of there might be more under the floorboards & elsewhere in the property as the rats were pretty much in/under the floor & inside walls in all the rooms on the ground floor.

I have been told that I need to get something called a EICR Test to be done on a circuit by circuit(?) basis & not a couple of simple tests at the CU.

May I ask, is this something that all electricians can carry out & will they be able to check for any damage/issues that cannot be seen due to the cables being inaccessible as they are under floors, inside walls etc?

I cannot see how they would be visually able to check as there are places that will not even allow cameras to access - does that mean many exposed/damaged cables might just stay that way & pose a potential risk for the future?

Is this EICR test done a circuit by circuit basis enough & how much would it reasonably cost? Is there anything else that can also de done along side it to get a bigger/more accurate assessment of any further damage the rats might have caused?

Sadly, a couple of days ago, my very elderly & disabled mother got bit twice by rats whilst she was sleeping & I thought if they have no issue biting humans then they might and had a real go at the cables. They have already bitten through a large amount of concrete under a room to make a channel into the house & chewed on interior hard wood doors to make ports etc they can travel through.]

Apologies for my novice level & lack of knowledge about these sort of things,

Many Kind Thanks,

Bazzzie.

 

[shanky887614]

yes an eicr will be a test off all circuits. some older electricians might still call it a pir if you ask them.

they will check the insulation resistance of the cable or in other words the resistance between L-N-E.

an eicr can be carried out by any electrician but i would recommend someone with testing experience.

if they have 2391,2392 or 2394+2395 this will prove they have a fair bit of testing experience.


any electrician can do the testing but i would suggest you get a recommendation first.



where roughly do you live? someone here might be able to give it a quick look

 

[davesparks]

A properly experienced and qualified electrician will be able to carry out an EICR properly paying extra attention to the possibility of rodent damage if you ask them too.
You as the customer can specify exactly how much or little of the installation is inspected and tested.

 

[Bobster]

If you post up your location, there may be a member on here that can help.

 

[davesparks]

Having passed a course doesn't prove experience, it only proves knowledge. Anyone who has completed an apprenticeship should have the experience to carry out domestic inspection and test without further qualifications.

 

[Marvo]

Firstly you need to get rid of the mice/rats otherwise any repaired circuits will just get damaged further.

Many electricians have inspection cameras which can often see as far as 2 meters under a floor or even inside a wall. I'd suggest getting one in to check the damage. Also just taping the cables isn't great, they could be a fire hazard, cables can be repaired in many cases using ferrules and heatshrink insulation but again you be better getting the opinion of a professional who can actually assess the damage first-hand.

 

[ipf]

Hope your mother is ok for starters, sounds like a bad situation. First thing, get rid of the horrible infestation.
Then it's a case of getting in someone with experience and qualification to do a thorough inspection, as has been said.

 

[Bazzzy]

Hi All,

Wow, what an awesome forum - kind replies so soon! Just to let you know, I am in a place called Harrow (used ti be a nice place!) in NW London.

I am pretty sure there are still rats in the house the entry point into the house where they channelled a route in was only blocked off a few days ago & we may not have identified if that was the only one. We have been catching both adult & plenty of baby ones so they must be breeding in the house somewhere - we have yet to find the nest so I am guessing there must be quite few that need to be got rid off.

In view of this, should any inspection be done asap or when the pest controller feels the infestation has been eliminated?

I will now try & find a decent & experienced electrician & ask if they have the experience of testing & number designations as mentioned - do I have to ask them to bring in certificates etc or will they expect me just to trust what they say? I really do not know any & have had bad luck with workmen (seems to be in my Karma!) so I hope I find one!

Any idea of what the costs might be & will they give me any certificates/paperwork confirming if everything is OK or say what work has been done (for insurance purposes just in case something down the road happens).

I have attached a pics of one of the ways identified as to how they got through if it may give a clue as to how many might have accumulated & bred over the last 6 months & in case this it might give an idea of any potential damage likely to have been caused by their numbers. Also one as to the type of damage they have been doing.

Sorry if the pics are a bit big!

Bazzzie.

 

[Barry White]

deffo get the rat problem sorted they will damage everything cables will be chewed over and over again. use traps and the poison bait keep topping up bait until they stop taking it.( traps inside and bait outside )
my daughter got a rat in her kitchen we found the entry point and assumed it had gone so blocked it up.She heard scratching during the night so we baited traps with bacon (you can tie this to the trap "trigger" then coat it with peanut butter the butter atracts them and the bacon sets off the trap without fail (without bacon the clever oves just lick it off carefully)

it works see picture below seems we got both ends

 

[Marvo]

In view of this, should any inspection be done asap or when the pest controller feels the infestation has been eliminated?

I would say if your installation has an RCD protecting the sockets you could leave the inspection until the pest controllers have eliminated the problem. If you have no RCD in you consumer unit it may be better to get an inspection sooner rather than later.

.....I really do not know any & have had bad luck with workmen (seems to be in my Karma!) so I hope I find one!

I'd suggest you wait and see if one of the more established members on the forum is close to you, if they're one of the longer standing and active forum members then you're very likely to get someone who will do a thorough job at a fair price. I'd guess to do a thorough inspection of an average 2 or 3 bedroomed house you'd be looking at 3 hours (plus / minus) work, maybe a bit longer depending on the house and the installation.

 

[amckay]

I'll second the advice for peanut butter! They love it. And nuttella. Its a shame I'm too far away, I'd have come down and shot them for free!

I hope your mother is OK, must have been a very nasty experience.

All the best

 

[Bazzzy]

I would say if your installation has an RCD protecting the sockets you could leave the inspection until the pest controllers have eliminated the problem. If you have no RCD in you consumer unit it may be better to get an inspection sooner rather than later.

I'd suggest you wait and see if one of the more established members on the forum is close to you, if they're one of the longer standing and active forum members then you're very likely to get someone who will do a thorough job at a fair price. I'd guess to do a thorough inspection of an average 2 or 3 bedroomed house you'd be looking at 3 hours (plus / minus) work, maybe a bit longer depending on the house and the installation.

Hi,

How would I check if we have this RCD protection you mentioned? I can take pics of the two Circuit Breaker Boxes if that might help?

Our house is a 5 Bed Semi (garage converted into a room with another from on top) & with a conservatory at the back. I think it is a 1920-1930 build.

 

[Bazzzy]

I'll second the advice for peanut butter! They love it. And nuttella. Its a shame I'm too far away, I'd have come down and shot them for free!

I hope your mother is OK, must have been a very nasty experience.

All the best

Hi,

You are welcome anytime! We have been using peanut butter but the buggers having been leaving it alone for most of the time! My family are strict vegetarians (I love a bacon nutty though) & my sister has panic attacks every time she sees a rat so I think I might be able to get away with using bacon this time.

The new pest controller also has used peanut butter with a chunk of chocolate bunged in but again, the critters just seem to be avoiding it for some reason.

The smell of them is still quite strong still - we spent that last 3 days cleaning & disinfecting the whole house as much as possible but no matter what we do, the smell just will not go away.

 

[PEG]

deffo get the rat problem sorted they will damage everything cables will be chewed over and over again. use traps and the poison bait keep topping up bait until they stop taking it.( traps inside and bait outside )
my daughter got a rat in her kitchen we found the entry point and assumed it had gone so blocked it up.She heard scratching during the night so we baited traps with bacon (you can tie this to the trap "trigger" then coat it with peanut butter the butter atracts them and the bacon sets off the trap without fail (without bacon the clever oves just lick it off carefully)

it works see picture below seems we got both ends

mmmm a good ole' gin trap...if anyone asks,the rodent licked poison off the rim of that "de-activated" antique...:yes:

 

[Marvo]

.......The smell of them is still quite strong still - we spent that last 3 days cleaning & disinfecting the whole house as much as possible but no matter what we do, the smell just will not go away.

That's the problem with poison, they eat it and curl up and die somewhere else later so the dead ones smell bad for weeks afterwards. We use a 12 gauge short barrel shotgun and salt shells but I'm not sure it would be appropriate if you've got neighbours.

 

[Deleted member 72666]

That's the problem with poison, they eat it and curl up and die somewhere else later so the dead ones smell bad for weeks afterwards. We use a 12 gauge short barrel shotgun and salt shells but I'm not sure it would be appropriate if you've got neighbours.

....Or law enforcement! But if it's not a problem the guy in my avatar is available!

 

[7029 dave]

Get about half a dozen cats, on patrol will soon flush the buggers out.

 

[PEG]

That's the problem with poison, they eat it and curl up and die somewhere else later so the dead ones smell bad for weeks afterwards. We use a 12 gauge short barrel shotgun and salt shells but I'm not sure it would be appropriate if you've got neighbours.

Ooohh,you and your liberal firearm use legislation....this is what we have to deal with; If i load salt into a shotgun cartridge,and any part congeals into a particle,larger than .32 of an inch,i then need a firearm cert (NOT shotgun cert),to possess and use it...

...BUT,on the shotgun cert,i can have a deck gun,off a destroyer,smooth bore it,and use that....with appropriate shot filled cartridges...

It really is easier to send the rat a strongly worded e-mail...

And,i am surprised no one has mentioned re-homing the lady,until the rodent problem is sorted...she stands a MUCH bigger risk of contracting Weils disease,than any electrocution hazard...

 

[amckay]

That's the problem with poison, they eat it and curl up and die somewhere else later so the dead ones smell bad for weeks afterwards. We use a 12 gauge short barrel shotgun and salt shells but I'm not sure it would be appropriate if you've got neighbours.

Ooohh,you and your liberal firearm use legislation....this is what we have to deal with; If i load salt into a shotgun cartridge,and any part congeals into a particle,larger than .32 of an inch,i then need a firearm cert (NOT shotgun cert),to possess and use it...

...BUT,on the shotgun cert,i can have a deck gun,off a destroyer,smooth bore it,and use that....with appropriate shot filled cartridges...

It really is easier to send the rat a strongly worded e-mail...

And,i am surprised no one has mentioned re-homing the lady,until the rodent problem is sorted...she stands a MUCH bigger risk of contracting Weils disease,than any electrocution hazard...

Good point about the lady!

TBH it would be more cost effective to buy an air rifle and have some fun getting rid of the buggers. Then once gone, get a spark in to sort out the damage.

 

[Marvo]

If you think an air gun is more fun than a sawn off shotgun and a brick of salt rounds you've lived a sheltered life.

You're right about the old lady though, in fact if the rats are biting people then nobody should be living there until they're cleared.

 

[Midwest]

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.

 

[PEG]

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.

...I bet they're not...they usually tend to crap anywhere...:bigear:

 

[Bazzzy]

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


http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm170/Bazzy77/IMG_0669.jpg

 

[Bazzzy]

Hi All,

Here is a pic of the manhole at the front of the house whereby which the rats were getting in that was verified as one point of entry. It shows the drain layout of the 3 paths they can follow to get into. I really do not want them to divert into my neighbours but I do not know what to do as her son will not allow anything to be done on the path that leads to their house.

Bazzzie,

 

[Bazzzy]

Hi All,

Here are some pics of the electrical stuff under our stairs - took as many as I thought might show the set up - apologies if a bit OTT & of their size - do I have the RCD sockets protection a previous poster was referring to?

Bazzzie,

 

[Marvo]

The pictures don't seem to have posted. There is a filesize limit that the forum attachment system will allow so I'm guessing you might need to make them smaller.

 

[Deleted member 72666]

I really feel for you and your family! Have you tried any of those electronic plug-in devices that send a signal around in the wiring, it's supposed to get on their nerves so they just pack up and leave.

 

[Bazzzy]

The pictures don't seem to have posted. There is a filesize limit that the forum attachment system will allow so I'm guessing you might need to make them smaller.

Hi,

Really? Strange as they show on my laptop! Can you see the pics in post 23 & 24 as they are the same size/resolution. If you/others still cannot view them then I will repost in a smaller size!

Bazzzie!

 

[Bazzzy]

I really feel for you and your family! Have you tried any of those electronic plug-in devices that send a signal around in the wiring, it's supposed to get on their nerves so they just pack up and leave.

Hi,

Thank you for your kind words - yes, we tried a few different brands of those devices & in our case, they pretty much did nothing!

Bazzzie!

 

[Marvo]

Hi,

Really? Strange as they show on my laptop! Can you see the pics in post 23 & 24 as they are the same size/resolution. If you/others still cannot view them then I will repost in a smaller size!

Bazzzie!

Noproblem, I've just pasted a link into your post so nobody loses their dinner without having to click on it first

 

[Deleted member 72666]

I can see the photo's and yes you do have rcd protection on all circuits.

 

[Deleted member 72666]

The rcd's are the modules with the test buttons on, have you ever tested them and/or have they ever tripped by themselves for no apparent reason?

 

[Bazzzy]

The rcd's are the modules with the test buttons on, have you ever tested them and/or have they ever tripped by themselves for no apparent reason?

Hi,

In the past, they have tripped on their own & one of the switches, usually the "lights""sockets" needed to be put back in the "on" position - this happens primarily on the "downstairs" circuit & occasionally on the "upstairs" one - not happened in a while though - probably for a couple/few months?

Bazzzy,

 

[derbylad]

J

Hi,

Thank you for your kind words - yes, we tried a few different brands of those devices & in our case, they pretty much did nothing!

Bazzzie!

Baz get your Mother a cat and the rats will be history,that is 100% the easiest solution,you cant get rid of rats or mice but you can make sure they keep away from your house with a cat.

 

[Deleted member 72666]

Hi,

In the past, they have tripped on their own & one of the switches, usually the "lights""sockets" needed to be put back in the "on" position - this happens primarily on the "downstairs" circuit & occasionally on the "upstairs" one - not happened in a while though - probably for a couple/few months?

Bazzzy,

Are you saying the mcb's have been tripping or the rcd? You have 3 rcd's and any one of them will cause more than one circuit to stop working until it is manually reset. The consumer unit at the bottom has only 1 rcd that covers all the mcb's on that board whilst the ones on the board above control 5 circuits each.

 

[PEG]

Hi Bazzzy, I admire your endeavors to assist your family,which should be standard,but is never always the case.

The information regarding your electrical installation,has been given,so i will just try to assist you further with the additional issues.

Your rodent population,since well before the Plague,is dependent on two things,food and cover. Either on there own will support rodents,for a time. Both,allow them to stay,and increase.

Your two branches,in the inspection chamber,should go to the waste outlets,and also a vent stack. All of these,bar the vent,will have trap seals,whether toilet bowls or bath/sink/washing machine etc. This means your rodents have to arrive through your toilet bends,which,although not unheard of,is unlikely.

Your vent stack should terminate outside the property,above highest opening window,so no joy there.

If there were any breaks in that pipework,you would certainly have detected that odour,before today.

You look like you have a sub-floor space,of whatever depth,under your downstairs floor,this may have other entry points and these need blocking.

Do NOT block any air bricks,these are not a problem,and will assist the clean-up period.

Unless your property contains a fair amount of readily accessible food,it will not support a colony. Are there any nearby alternative food sources? These could be poorly contained waste,someone with numerous pets,excessive bird feeding,chicken coup,fast-food outlet etc.

I have spent a lifetime on farm,traveler sites and similar,and on ALL of them,without exception,the second most intelligent animal,next to man,is the rat.
Do not underestimate them,i have observed first hand,there ingenuity,and it knocks the cleverest dogs',in to a cocked hat.

Approach the problem systematically,methodically and to the end.

Good luck,please ask if any other information could be helpful.:yes:

 

[Bazzzy]

@PEG

Hi,

Thank you so much for the detailed advice - & you are right - I am astounded at how utterly clever & devious these critter rats are - it seems no matter where in the world - they always find a way to penetrate defences.

Unfortunately, when the drain folks put a camera down the drain pipes which branch off to our house, they found that the nearest one to the interceptor was badly broken & collapsed. Apparently, the rats travelled down this broken pipe, dug thee way through the remaining soil & then through the house wall as shown in the previous pics. From there, they went into the room which has concrete floor, turning right & eating through the concrete (about 1 metre length) until they reached the main house which is rested on wooden beams - see pics!

When the drain people came, we saw the critters coming from the main drains & going into/out of the ones that lead to our house - buggers did not go down the run that feeds into our neighbours house - only ours!

I cannot understand how there is a sub-floor space in the area they made that large hole - I was there when it was built & the buildings inspector came round to pass & inspect (he did so 4 times) & the solid foundations were built down to a depth of 1.2 metres & only then did he pass it. I am very confused about this - how can there be a cavity?

Behind the room broken into, there is a disabled bathroom which has a toilet - behind this a vent stack for the loo which has been boxed in but sadly, they made their way into that as well - they have even managed to get into the roof cavity of the conservatory between the ceiling plasterboard & exterior tiles - all the way at the back of the house!!

The area is pretty well maintained & no real food opportunities outside - many residents of our road have cats & they are roaming about pretty much all day & night & have been doing so for decades! I have never once seen a rat at surface level!

Unfortunately, with allergies & sensitivities that other members of the house have, I cannot have a cat or other animals in the house otherwise I would have done so long ago!!

I often wonder, why is an animal that is so very smart does not think, there must be a better way of living & eating than trawling through sewers & all that nasty waste to get a meal - their cousins the squirrels seem to manage it!

Will keep you updated!

Bazzzy!

 

[DPG]

I take it you are getting the drains replaced ASAP. Daz

 

[Midwest]

As said before, I think you need to seek advice on eradication of these vermin, from a professional body, not from members on this electricians forum. Seems you have a huge hill to climb, to sort out this problem. As stated by others, the electrics seem fine for the moment, and I would suggest defer repairing damage to cables until the rats have been eliminated and how they are entering the property sorted. You could just turn off each 'main switch', to isolate the electrical circuits in the house, as no one is living there. Google 'Pest Control Forum UK'. Good luck, horrible things rats.

 

[Bazzzy]

I take it you are getting the drains replaced ASAP. Daz

Hi,

The drains were another nightmare - between the Water company coming round & Homeserve - we had to have 6 different visits - each time they said they sorted the problem - but it still remained. They could not figure things out properly & even where which pipes lead to where - also, where the rainwater one lead & why it would not drain.

Finally they cemented that broken one up as through process of elimination they assumed it was a dead pipe but when the drain blocked up again & another engineer (the 6th one!) visited he felt that it was wrongly concreted in & that whole manhole & drain had to be broken down & replaced requiring the services of a sub contractor.

After about 4 hours of digging up more of the drive way, he finally found that the rainwater was draining away into the road sewers directly & that it was indeed a dead/unused pipe.

It was concreted in as far as the guy could get his hand in & that hole in the wall was to. This means that there is still a middle section of broken pipe between these two points there & I will have to get a builder to remove it & fill it with concrete so there is one continuous run of concrete from the drain all the way to the wall of the house if that makes sense? More importantly, is that the right thing to do?!!!

Bazzzy!

 

[DPG]

Sounds like a nightmare. You have my sympathies. I think I'd sell up and buy something newer Daz

 

[Bazzzy]

As said before, I think you need to seek advice on eradication of these vermin, from a professional body, not from members on this electricians forum. Seems you have a huge hill to climb, to sort out this problem. As stated by others, the electrics seem fine for the moment, and I would suggest defer repairing damage to cables until the rats have been eliminated and how they are entering the property sorted. You could just turn off each 'main switch', to isolate the electrical circuits in the house, as no one is living there. Google 'Pest Control Forum UK'. Good luck, horrible things rats.

Hi,

Yes, thank you, I have a second pest controller that I have employed to deal with the rodent situation & after the first one screwed us.

He identified the problem straightaway & also brings a gun!! I am hopeful that this time, he will be able to advise when the house is rodent free. He is using traps to lure them out as once they eat poison & got back under cabinets, floors etc - the stench is just unbearable.

I am able to block of the main drain exit at the front of the house by means of a one way valve to stop the critters coming in but the manhole in the garden has two much smaller exits - one from our house & the other from my neighbours that will not accept a rat deterring one way valve so I need to ask the pest guy how these can be made vermin proof so they do not then use these to gain entry.

The main drains are 4" but these seem to be about 2.5"-3" so probably rainwater exits into the manhole?

I will now defer any electrical test until given the OK that the rodents are no longer an issue & am heartened to know it is safe to do this.

Thank You,

Bazzzy!

 

[DPG]

Hi,

Yes, thank you, I have a second pest controller that I have employed to deal with the rodent situation & after the first one screwed us.

He identified the problem straightaway & also brings a gun!! I am hopeful that this time, he will be able to advise when the house is rodent free. He is using traps to lure them out as once they eat poison & got back under cabinets, floors etc - the stench is just unbearable.

I am able to block of the main drain exit at the front of the house by means of a one way valve to stop the critters coming in but the manhole in the garden has two much smaller exits - one from our house & the other from my neighbours that will not accept a rat deterring one way valve so I need to ask the pest guy how these can be made vermin proof so they do not then use these to gain entry.

The main drains are 4" but these seem to be about 2.5"-3" so probably rainwater exits into the manhole?

I will now defer any electrical test until given the OK that the rodents are no longer an issue & am heartened to know it is safe to do this.

Thank You,

Bazzzy!

I'm not sure anyone can definitely say it is safe to leave as-is. I think it would be best to switch the supply off - who knows what damage has been to done to insulation/conductors. Daz

 

[Bazzzy]

I'm not sure anyone can definitely say it is safe to leave as-is. I think it would be best to switch the supply off - who knows what damage has been to done to insulation/conductors. Daz

Hi,

I am still living here but have moved my mother out - one sister stays a few days - the other moved out faster than the Flash the moment she saw a rat & very thankfully, I have not seen her since!!

I am hoping that there might be a electrician member here who is well known & might be in/close to my area that can check things out for us, do that EICR test etc when the rodent issue has been sorted.

Thanks again,

Bazzzy!

 

[Tuttle]

We had a rat problem a couple of years ago, I called the council and they sorted it out. It took them about a month or two, they visited 4 times and only charged us 60 quid in total.

They used poison. I was concerned that we would end up with rotting rats in wall cavities, or something like that, but the council guy said that the poison makes them very thirsty so they go outside to find water and die outside. They've been gone for a long time now and I haven't seen or smelt any dead rats

You can find out if your council provides a pest control service if you want via this web site: https://www.gov.uk/report-pest-problem

I thought that they were just in the loft, they used to make a hell of a noise at night above our bedroom, but since they've gone I've found evidence that they were also elsewhere in the house - glad I didn't realise that until after they'd gone.

 

[Midwest]

Hi,

Yes, thank you, I have a second pest controller that I have employed to deal with the rodent situation & after the first one screwed us.

He identified the problem straightaway & also brings a gun!! I am hopeful that this time, he will be able to advise when the house is rodent free. He is using traps to lure them out as once they eat poison & got back under cabinets, floors etc - the stench is just unbearable.

I am able to block of the main drain exit at the front of the house by means of a one way valve to stop the critters coming in but the manhole in the garden has two much smaller exits - one from our house & the other from my neighbours that will not accept a rat deterring one way valve so I need to ask the pest guy how these can be made vermin proof so they do not then use these to gain entry.

The main drains are 4" but these seem to be about 2.5"-3" so probably rainwater exits into the manhole?

I will now defer any electrical test until given the OK that the rodents are no longer an issue & am heartened to know it is safe to do this.

Thank You,

Bazzzy!

Hi Bazzzy, you need to SWITCH FORUMS, turn off the electrics, LEAVE THE HOUSE, consult with your local council and eliminate the rats, before considering anything else.