Sunday 22 February 2009

The Empty Silence.


I am almost afraid to say this, but my kitchen roof seems empty and strangely silent.
None of this makes any sense at all because Harry and Sam didn't find any rat runs when they were underpinning the end of the kitchen. The concrete they put in was well over a metre deep and shortly after they did that repair, the problem got really bad. The rats sounded like they were having a party. Thumping and running around and desperately scratching the ceiling and sounding as though they were coming through at any time.
I was furious with the men.
"It's worse than it ever was before," I shouted, "You have opened up a highway!"
I was so upset I threatened to leave and stay in a hotel or something. I had an offer to stay with a friend fairly locally and an offer to go to Canada! I tell you I was sorely tempted.

However, seeing that the menfolk were almost as upset as I was, I took pity on them and stuck things out.
As the time went by the noises got less and the smells started in earnest. Incense sticks were burnt one after another during day time. However, even the bad smell seems to be fading now, though I have got bundles of incense sticks to still use up. The woman in the shop where I bought them, must have been puzzled by the quantity I bought. Well I wasn't going to tell her about my problem, was I? You don't actually tell people things like that, do you?
Could it really be that the rats were trapped up in the ceiling, right from the start and had to die off?

It was some days later when we suddenly heard the silence. Does that make sense to you, hearing the silence? Well that's the way it seemed. We noticed the absence of scurrying and jumping about.
I am wary of saying this, as I know that rats are intelligent creatures. They might at this very moment be plotting a new way in! Maybe they are getting new recruits lined up ready for attack! I don't suppose they want to give in gracefully after having 6 years of free lodgings.

I am really scared that I might hear another noise up there in the ceiling. I would be so disappointed if that happened. The work is not even finished yet but is it really possible that the first lot of concrete did the trick? Or are they just waiting........ waiting to strike again when I least expect it?
I am just beginning to hope now, that they have really gone.... but only time will tell........
Keep hoping for me too.


Footnote:-  I wrote this post a few days ago and can you guess what happened a night ago while I was preparing the evening meal? Something scampered across the ceiling! My spirits plummeted. 
I decided to post this anyway because it gave me so much pleasure writing it and I'd like you to know just how much control these rats have on my moods.
Oh well..... back to the drawing board. Roof next!






30 comments:

Lindsay said...

At our previous house we had rats in the garage - they had burrowed through concrete!!!! I wish you the very best of luck. How about getting the pest control people to have a look?

Expat mum said...

They'd obviously had enough with all the noise of your "builders', packed up for a few days and are now back. What a shame. I was hoping you had a little rat cemetary up there.

Maggie May said...

Lindsay....I can assure you,that when the first problem began, six years ago, I had pest control round regularly and had experts look at the drains & toilets & next doors as well.
They passed everything as AI and they continued to call round regularly with poison for ages. They told me to move! Well I can't do that. Regulations have changed.
I have been assured that they don't like deep concrete but they will gnaw through old, crumbling, not very thick concrete, but that it takes many years.
We have a few things up our sleeves yet. Must get to the bottom of the problem as I have had enough. Need some peace in my old age.

larkswing said...

So sorry Maggie! That is very frustrating for you I am sure! Hopefully the fellas will find the spot soon and close those irritants off for good!

Sandi McBride said...

I'm so sorry Maggie...but they'll get the problem licked eventually! I wish I had an answer for you, I really do! Good luck with the next attempt!
Sandi

Irene said...

I'm so sorry, Maggie. maybe that noise was just a rat in his death throes. You know, having some final nervous spasms and then out went his light. I so very much want this to be over for you, but I know that the roof is the only solution. I'm with you in spirit, but I know that doesn't help you much. It's practical solutions you need. Could you spray poison under the roof in large quantities?

Anonymous said...

When I lived in Tennessee, it was exactly like that above my bedroom! I use to think they were going to drop through the ceiling. It sounds like it is getting better, I hope the problem is totally fixed soon. I know how frustrating it can be.
I'd go on a trip anyway, LOL.

XXXXXXX

VioletSky said...

I can feel your frustration in your writing.
I was almost hoping to feel some hope, but, no... hearing the silence (makes perfect sense) must have had you holding your breath.

aims said...

The offer still stands my dear friend!

I suddenly had an image as I started to read this. Urghhh. When they pull down the ceiling - um....you better book your flight Maggie!

Cath said...

Maggie - they're reading your blog! Disconnect the internet at night. Give them no access! Password everything!

*sigh* - I wish they would just leave home for you!

Anonymous said...

Poison them! Liberally poison them. UGH! I am so sorry for you. Oh what a dreaded nightmare.

Jeni said...

I've been following you "rat saga" since you started posting about this problem. Tonight, as I started reading, I thought WOW, they finally got rid of the little buggers. Guess not just yet, huh?: I know you're doing every thing you can to rid the house of these pests and yes, it has to be really frustrating that your efforts seem to be thwarted at most every turn, doesn't it? Ok, I'll cross my fingers and toes, find a rabbit's foot and shake it for good luck and will also say a few extra prayers for you to finally get some peace from these creatures!
Peace.

Anonymous said...

Horrible creatures, they sound incredibly noisy when scurrying around. I almost wonder if they wear shoes.

Do hope you get this problem sorted out.

CJ xx

® ♫ The Brit ♪ ® said...

Oh Maggie,
I really hope that you get rid of those bastard rats!! I can't begin to imagine how terrible all of this is for you, and all being done in Wintertime too!
I'm thinking of you and hoping and praying that you get rid of them once and for all!
Hang in there! XXX

Nessa said...

Waiting for the other shoe to drop.

MarmiteToasty said...

Oh no, at first I thought all the extra noise was cos the rats were rushing about packing their bags to leave....... maybe a few caught an early ride home...... :(

Cats...... thats what you need, a herd of cats.....

When me twat neighbour had rats my cats would bring me one in almost every morning as a gift LOL........ oh my...

x

Wendy said...

Oh yes I can understand hearing the silence. It can be a little unsettling.
Hopefully, what you heard was the rats leaving - for good!

Thom - - Dr. John said...

A have a couple of cats I could ship over to you???

the mother of this lot said...

I got quite excited there for a while Maggie - till the scratching started again!

Marianne said...

Oh no! I know exactly what you mean by hearing the silence- and I'm sure the little blighters make a huge impact on your daily like, I remember hearing rats BOUNDING around in the attic at my parents' house, they sounded like dogs, very scary.

Unknown said...

Oh Maggie May, I didn't know you'd had them so long! I do hope the noises are just rat ghosts. Or maybe just a few die hards that will eventually realise the party is going on elsewhere. Best of luck, thinking of you. x

Dr.John said...

I know that silence. In our first parsonage we had wood roaches . So I put Lindain bombs in every room, ran the furnace fan and took the kids and wife to grams. When we came back two days later it was as if the house had died. It was eerie quiet and there was no movement. Not a fly, not a bug, not a spider. It was weird.

Hilary said...

Ugh, Maggie. I sure do hate this for your. I hope that last one was just a straggler deciding to move on. And Cath's comment made me laugh.

rosecreekcottage-carol.blogspot.com said...

Oh Maggie May! I dealt with rats when I lived in a big ol' house on campus where I went to college. Not fun. I pray they are gone for good. If not...you have an open-invitation to come to Ohio and stay here as long as you like! (No rats here cause of my two puppies!)

Maggie May said...

Everyone...... I am relieved to know that there are others out there who have experienced rats and it isn't just me! I have recently met a neighbour ( fairly close) who is having a similar problem. We might start a rat club, where we can meet up and weep over a cup of tea!
Cath..... your remark made me laugh.

Aims......You don't think I would let the men just knock the ceiling down over everything, do you? It would have to be cleaned out from the top! Very carefully!

Thank you all for your encouragement and I think Irene might be right....... that scampering rat I heard was probably in its death throws cos we haven't heard anything since.
Time will tell!

Unknown said...

Maggie, I know that smell all too well, and it is just disgusting! I would keep burning the incense! Have you tried going to the local shelter, and maybe picking up about, say, 10 cats and locking up there???? LOL They would do the killing and clean up afterwards, so no smell.

Just saying.

Akelamalu said...

That read like an Alfred Hitchcock movie!

I had to laugh at Cath's comment! The thought of rats reading your blog and saying "we've got her fooled, she thinks she's got rid of us!" LOL

Seriously I really don't know how you have stuck it out - I'd have taken a very loooooooonnnnnngggg vacations!

Rose said...

Oh, Maggie, I was hoping the new construction work had done the trick! The saleslady must think you're very religious or mystical:)

cheshire wife said...

It must be so disappointing to think that you have got the problem solved only to find that you haven't. I do hope that you can get to the bottom of it and be free from the rats.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Hope the final battle is won by you but if not let me know and I'll dress up as the "Pied Piper" and play my magic pipe. Dreadful creatures!
Best wishes Eddie