Odana Posted November 16, 2010 Report Share Posted November 16, 2010 I still shake my shoes before putting them on after a traumatic experience finding a large cockroach in a shoe I was putting on. And, more recently, would-be-prey the cat has brought in has been found hiding in footwear. Not sure that is better or worse than discovering pate de souris under the corner of a rug days after she has caught and killed and got bored with a mouse. No rats so far, phew! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drunkensailor Posted November 16, 2010 Report Share Posted November 16, 2010 The really important thing to do is make sure the boat's clean, and any food is in a container that is vermin proof. Careful with overfilling the bins in your mooring's carpark too. They're tenacious little buggers, I've seen them nibble through chicken wire in the past. It's the same with thieves; they're less likely bother breaking into your house if it looks like there's nothing worth taking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madcat Posted November 17, 2010 Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 I once trod on a huge slug in the middle of the night,in bare feet too .Yuk. I lived in a damp basement flat ,the bathroom was at least worthy of SSSI status Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Funked Up Posted November 17, 2010 Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 Dont put any food waste in your bins, I havent seen one since, they even seem to like tea bags BTW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romarni123 Posted November 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 Dont put any food waste in your bins, I haven't seen one since, they even seem to like tea bags BTW. It started with a huge bird table full of food, the person has now moved so hoping the rats follow her Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proper Job Posted November 17, 2010 Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 Bird tables and bird feeders...... The rats love 'em Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romarni123 Posted November 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 I got a pellet gun them rats is mine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted November 17, 2010 Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 It started with a huge bird table full of food, the person has now moved so hoping the rats follow her Is she the Pied Piper then? Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romarni123 Posted November 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 Is she the Pied Piper then? Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bimbly1 Posted November 17, 2010 Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 Having lived in countries with some of the most dangerous snakes I was always taught pull back all bed sheeting before going to bed to check for snakes and spiders. I used to do that but my wife complained that it woke her up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ange Posted November 17, 2010 Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 I still shake my shoes before putting them on after a traumatic experience finding a large cockroach in a shoe I was putting on. And, more recently, would-be-prey the cat has brought in has been found hiding in footwear. Not sure that is better or worse than discovering pate de souris under the corner of a rug days after she has caught and killed and got bored with a mouse. No rats so far, phew! I found a large daddy long-legs in my sandal once while on a camping holiday. I shall never forget the sensation of it squirming around between my bare toes and have never put on a pair of shoes since without shaking them out first <shudder> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FORTUNATA Posted November 17, 2010 Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 I've been tempted to have degus on board as they're very intelligent and playful. They're probably quite close to rats and will play quite happily with wheels and tubes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doorman Posted November 17, 2010 Report Share Posted November 17, 2010 We had one run up the gunwale, chew through our nearly new cratch cover, then help itself to our veg stock on the well deck. They are very agile and can squeeze through the tightest of gaps. I remember when our boat was being blacked in a marina boathouse and we stayed on the boat during the night. Upon turning the boathouse lights on, I saw a rat that was more like a cat in size, squeeze through the cavity of a threshold that had no cover on. My Great Uncle emigrated to Australia in the 1920's and on arrival had to stay in a hostel until such time as he found a job and somewhere to live. He had been warned on the ship going to Australia that theft was very high at these hostels and to make sure nothing was left lying around. On his first night he placed the legs of his bed into his boots to ensure they were not stolen, when he got up in the morning the boots were still there but someone had stolen his laces. Thought you were going to say that the boots were still there, but the bed was gone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wanted Posted November 23, 2010 Report Share Posted November 23, 2010 I was sleeping under the stars in the sahara years ago and rolled over onto a scorpian, bugger got me twice and boy did it sting. I now always check the bed before getting in, although I doubt i'll find anything quite so exotic in brentford.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippoclides Posted November 23, 2010 Report Share Posted November 23, 2010 I was sleeping under the stars in the sahara years ago and rolled over onto a scorpian, bugger got me twice and boy did it sting. I now always check the bed before getting in, although I doubt i'll find anything quite so exotic in brentford.... Not in Brentford, perhaps, but Kent is another matter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euscorpius_flavicaudis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wanted Posted November 23, 2010 Report Share Posted November 23, 2010 Not in Brentford, perhaps, but Kent is another matter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euscorpius_flavicaudis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary955 Posted November 25, 2010 Report Share Posted November 25, 2010 Is this rat business a real risk? Since this post started I've been closing the pidgeon boxes at night when I go to bed. Last night I woke up in a pool of sweat with the temperature inside the boat at 25.6 degrees with an outside temp of -3.7!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grace and Favour Posted November 25, 2010 Report Share Posted November 25, 2010 Is this rat business a real risk? Since this post started I've been closing the pidgeon boxes at night when I go to bed. Last night I woke up in a pool of sweat with the temperature inside the boat at 25.6 degrees with an outside temp of -3.7!!! There's no need to be that nervous of rats that you run a temperature dear boy! (coat) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josher Posted November 26, 2010 Report Share Posted November 26, 2010 Is this rat business a real risk? Since this post started I've been closing the pidgeon boxes at night when I go to bed. Last night I woke up in a pool of sweat with the temperature inside the boat at 25.6 degrees with an outside temp of -3.7!!! I don't think you should worry about it - if they want to get in they will find a way, so resistance is futile! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heffalump Posted November 26, 2010 Report Share Posted November 26, 2010 I have a pair of rats and they will get through much smaller spaces than you think! As for scorpion stings a couple of the tiny buggers almost finished me in Mexico lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueprince Posted November 27, 2010 Report Share Posted November 27, 2010 Snakes, scorpions and rats are essentialy timid, baboon spiders are not, they chase you, actually so do blue belly snakes, and bamsloons (big black snakes) I've not met a scorpion that will chase you, but there is a big black type that won't run away, there's only one answer, cats, lots of them, though then you have to worry about them, never trusted them, always look sneaky, just waiting to eat your face if you ask me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doorman Posted November 27, 2010 Report Share Posted November 27, 2010 (edited) Is this rat business a real risk? Only in 'Sloane Square' London! Edited November 27, 2010 by Doorman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippoclides Posted November 28, 2010 Report Share Posted November 28, 2010 Snakes, scorpions and rats are essentialy timid, baboon spiders are not, they chase you, actually so do blue belly snakes, and bamsloons (big black snakes) I've not met a scorpion that will chase you, but there is a big black type that won't run away, there's only one answer, cats, lots of them, though then you have to worry about them, never trusted them, always look sneaky, just waiting to eat your face if you ask me. Are there many on the UK waterways? Baboon spiders, blue belly snakes and bamsloons, that is. Not cats. Agree with you about the cats, though. Never trusted them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueprince Posted November 29, 2010 Report Share Posted November 29, 2010 No, non of the above, why do you think I live on a canal in england? I'm sill fairly sure about the cats though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
right_freds_dead Posted November 30, 2010 Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 rats and mice do not like garlic. so leave garlic gloves around the boat in winter. this also keeps away any vampires too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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