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Post by annabellespapa on Jan 5, 2023 11:12:55 GMT 1
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Post by ajm on Jan 5, 2023 11:26:44 GMT 1
Just read these postings then went into the lounge and,guess what, scratching sounds in the ceiling for the first time for years. Coincidence .
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Post by pcpa on Jan 5, 2023 11:30:07 GMT 1
One thing confuses me, its a lot easier to get into the house than it is the roof space I think, Are you kidding, is that a joke? Have you never heard the saying "like a rat up a drainpipe"? Do you think they wander through an open door or window perhaps? After lifting my steel roofing sheets I could see forensically what they had been doing to get into my dwelling, coming up the drainpipe from the sewer then trying to get in the first corrugation beside the downpipe, why there? because they can shoot straight down the pipe again if there is a predator. They then chewed their way through the timber soleplate underneath horizontally over a 20cm distance because the corrugation was not big enough for them to pass. From there they went down behind the placo or through the cloisons and made 2 exits one where the water pipe came through under the kitchen unit, there was a tiny clearance around it which they opened, then they chewed right through the plinth to get in the room, the other hole was where I had left a placo box open without a blanking plate. I blocked all the roof corrugations with chicken wire and they chewed right through it, I needed them open because the VMC ventilates the roofspace, the only open mesh material that defeated then was the metal sanding roll because of the carbide particles.
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Post by pcpa on Jan 5, 2023 11:35:50 GMT 1
Poison has cured my infestations followed up by tracing and blocking the entry routes, touch wood they have not returned during my now prolonged absences but its only a question of time.
The problem with poison is the smell of death that lingers for a couple of weeks before the cadaver dries up, I expected to find the mummified remains when I lifted the roof sheets but there were none, they must be within the cloisons.
I also bought a rat electrocution chamber ready to entertain me for when they return, hoping to not use poison to avoid the smell, it's not been used yet.
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exile
Member
Massif Central
Posts: 2,682
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Post by exile on Jan 5, 2023 11:40:45 GMT 1
Er.... the clue is in the name. Dormouse. It hibernates over winter and should be asleep not active in your loft. My thoughts also, except that hibernation does not mean going to slep for 3-4 months in this case. It means periods of lethargy intersperced with a few periods of activity in milder weather. And give how warm it has been of late compared with normal winters.......... I would say dormouse is not impossible - even if there are other more likely candidates: Stone Marten House Mouse Field Mouse Rat Owl JD, I suggest you go into the loft and look for nesting/bedding materials and droppings and report back - preferably with pictures
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Post by rabbit on Jan 5, 2023 12:03:12 GMT 1
We had a pine marten in our roof space.
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Le-Dolly
Member
La Souterraine (23) depuis '05.
Posts: 566
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Post by Le-Dolly on Jan 5, 2023 12:19:29 GMT 1
A quote from a French nature website: "Stone martens can make stumbling noises, as if there is a burglar in the house."
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exile
Member
Massif Central
Posts: 2,682
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Post by exile on Jan 5, 2023 12:40:59 GMT 1
We had a pine marten in our roof space. Very unusual but given your remote location I would never say impossible. Stone marten are far more common in inhabited buildings/areas.
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Post by houpla on Jan 5, 2023 14:10:02 GMT 1
I chose not to sit in the loft overnight, but the beasts did not make an appearance that I am aware of..........One thing confuses me, its a lot easier to get into the house than it is the roof space I think, which makes me think its not a rat or mouse etc ? Some French houses and barns have quite a space between the top of the walls and the roof (for ventilation). It was certainly the case with our barn. I stapled fine metal mesh all the way around to cover the gap and it's really paid off in terms of having an insect and rodent-free attic. A marten (fouine) did get into the chicken hut, though, despite there only being a 2cm gap through scrunched-up chicken wire The downstairs is a different story thanks to the cats bringing in everything from mice to rats to the occasional rabbit
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Post by Polarengineer on Jan 5, 2023 16:05:03 GMT 1
Aaah cats bless'em so generous
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Post by cernunnos on Jan 5, 2023 19:57:36 GMT 1
One reason , we don't have a cat door .
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Post by pcpa on Jan 5, 2023 22:27:32 GMT 1
Johnny has a rat door!
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JohnnyD
Member
Mayenne (53) When Covid allows..........Which isn't very often these days........
Posts: 1,999
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Post by JohnnyD on Jan 6, 2023 17:43:30 GMT 1
Just read these postings then went into the lounge and,guess what, scratching sounds in the ceiling for the first time for years. Coincidence . Happy to start a trend
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JohnnyD
Member
Mayenne (53) When Covid allows..........Which isn't very often these days........
Posts: 1,999
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Post by JohnnyD on Jan 6, 2023 17:43:55 GMT 1
No visits last night either..........
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