Oh rats!

[Finedon.Dandy]

Rats I can do a search - the screen (like my mind) keeps going blank - I know Ive just used this gag on another thread but couldnt help myself

Was trying to do a search on "rats" as I have (acording to my neighbour) got a problem with them (apparently she thinks I have got lots of problems but maybe that rant will be shared in a while) or rather she has a problem which she thinks I am the cause of!

She stepped up to our hedge (probally to have a sneaky nosey at our garden) on Wednesday and seeing me there (resplendent in shorts and clashing crocs) asked if I had rabbits. "No" I replied "although Toby (horse like cat) does bring them into our garden (headless) from the allotment over the road". (YUK YUK YUK) Anyhow she went on to explain that she was getting rather fed up with having to call pest control for the rat which were coming in from our garden. Apparently the run comes from the road, through the far most (left to be wild for the wildlife) corner of our garden into hers. She wanted to know who was feeding the birds. I stated that yes whilst I fed the birds I do try and do it in the way least likely to attract vermin of any kind as we get alot of mice (as well as voles) too. I did say that her neighbour who also backs onto us has been seen throwing bread up on his garage roof (which attracts bloody pidgeons too - grrrr) and had she asked him.

Thats what I was searching rats for to see if there is really anything I should do........although that wasnt the end of the confrontation as she didnt seem to be making alot of sense as to what she really wanted from me. One minute she just wanted to find the culprit who was feeding the birds and thus attracting the rats (I even keep my bird food inside plastic tubs, inside an old dustbin) and the next she was telling me that she had given up on the standard poison reccomended by the rat man and now she had put something down which required her to keep her dogs way from it (all I could think was OMG what if Toby gets poisoned - keep him in - yeah right!) which according to the council is against the law but that they cant do sod all about

Then next I know she was being rather personal. Saying things like "I really dont understand you" "why is that" I asked "You dont seem to be concerned that rats spread disease and they could be all over the kids toys" and then she said (again) "I dont understand you" "why" (*was bored now) "You have 4 gorgeous children and you spend ALL day shouting at them" *WHAAAA - speechless I was - never been one of those to think up witty retorts (until the following month usualy!) so I just said "How dare you" in my best polite yet astonished voice and she replied "I dare because I have to listen to it" Well I know I can sound like a fishwife from hell (sorry Hull) at times and I am the first to admit I do it more often than I would like (something I am going to great lengths, including going on a parenting course, to correct) but I certainly dont do it more than once or twice a week and even then its often out of earshot (I think ) in the house. She then put the icing on the cake with her words "I'm not the only one round here who thinks that you are a cruel mother either" Well the tears were pricking by now and I just fell silent like a child who has been told some rather exagerated home truths by a frightening adult. She turned (rather gleefuly it seemed as if pleased at the effect she had had) saying "hope you have a nice day" I am afraid I muttered "Hope you dont" and I can only think my normal voice must be classed as shouting cos she heard! - over the road noise and from quite a distance too!

Ok rant over - hope it has given you a giggle on my take on things. I have spent two days distraught over the exchange but having spoken to one or two very good friends feel justified that if I need to shout then I just go ahead and its no-ones business but my own. My parents were more concerned about the rats than what she said and think I should get some poison but I have no idea where to start what with kids being near and so forth. Its been quite theraputic getting this all down (hope you dont all need therapy after LOL) and the girls have enjoyed being left to their own devices for too long and have trashed the sofa! So I will go and (quietly) tell them off, put everything back and will be back in a mo to see what my wise friends on here have to say.

Much love

Tammy

[taff]

well, obviously she's a bit mad.
first she wants to talk about birds, then rats, then have a go at you.
You didn't tell her you'd jump up tout suite and go arm yourself and kill those pesky rats that are irritating her, you didn't take her, in her mind, massive problem seriously, so what better way to pee someone off than to have a go at their parenting skills and imply their kids are having the worst childhood ever, and bolster their own argument by saying other people agree with them.
Next time, tell her she's welcome to crawl through your garden so see if she can find any rats, and that if she thinks you're a cruel mother, wasn't the neighbourly thing to do to offer some help/advice/a chat rather than acting like an admonishing teacher.
Harrumph.

[Hilary B]

Some people are simply not worth taking notice of.
If she is using a dangerous poison, she is breaking the law (and may have got it from someone who was also breaking the law, these things are only meant to be used by trained pest-control people, and they are NOT allowed to hand it over to anyone else).
I often yelled at my kids, but maybe that is why they grew up so much more civilised than some other kids of similar age whose parents allowed them to do anything they liked!
Discipline is necessary, and occasionally you just can't do it quietly!

[jackie j]

What an idiot, does she have any children Tammy. We all shout at times and sometimes I think oh gawd I must sound awful and must admit when we were out with the kids used to tell mine that people dont want to hear me shouting at them so do as your told. It worked sometimes with the older ones. If shouting is the only way to stop them doing something that could cause serious harm then shout away. Its non of her busuiness.

[womble]

As far as I know, you are supposed to keep pets and children away from any rat poison, not just the stronger stuff used by the professionals.

Not getting on with your neighbour is one thing, you need to deal with that, but I wouldn't be too worried about it, obviously she hasn't any kids and doesn't like you, not much we can do about people who don't like us and it's not worth losing any sleep over.
The rats are another thing and if you have got a rat problem you should deal with it. If she is correct and it doesn't sound like she knows what she's talking about, then the rats are coming through your garden, hardly your fault and nothing you can do about it. But I would stop feeding the birds for a while, or only when you know they are going to finish it before ratty gets a chance.
Also have a look down in your wildlife area and see if you can see any holes. Rats prefer living under something ideally, so any rubbish piles are a prime site.

[Finedon.Dandy]

Thanks for the replies. Womble - had already thought about rationing the birds to be on the safe side - starlings were not too happy but you cant win them all! Will ask Mr D to investigate - the only rubbish up in that corner is rocks (from plot as they appear and keep appearing they do!) and weeds - well controlled weeds like nettles etc - would they live under a pile of rocks?

[Florence Fennel]

I hope you're not upsetting yourself over this incredibly stupid woman Tammy. She was obviously having a bad day and decided to take it out on you. What you do in your own home is your business, not hers and if she's got a problem with rats she should call in pest control. If her observation of your children is that they are lovely, it is obviously down to how you're bringing them up. Don't take any notice of her.

[Glutton4...]

Tell her to p*** off! What a stupid, ignorant woman!

We have a similar rodent problem - my Parents feed the birds, and I have Chooks and Geese. We have the sleekest, shiniest Rats in the county! Rat 'bags' can be put safely in a length of drain pipe, or other tube, and placed along a 'rat run' - they rarely die outside, preferring to stay in their nests when ill, so your animals and children should be fine.

Glad you can laugh about it now!

[womble]

Thanks for the replies. Womble - had already thought about rationing the birds to be on the safe side - starlings were not too happy but you cant win them all! Will ask Mr D to investigate - the only rubbish up in that corner is rocks (from plot as they appear and keep appearing they do!) and weeds - well controlled weeds like nettles etc - would they live under a pile of rocks?

Yes possibly, if they are big ones. Get your OH to lift a few up and see if he can see any holes. If not then you should be OK.

[Finedon.Dandy]

Thanks for all your support - feeling alot better about it all now and not heard a word from her since


G4 - what is a rat bag?

Yes possibly, if they are big ones. Get your OH to lift a few up and see if he can see any holes. If not then you should be OK.

Will do Womble

[Glutton4...]

...G4 - what is a rat bag?

Bait Bags or Wax Blocks, are the two most commonly used forms of Rodenticide. I use the wax blocks, which they love. They take them back to their nest and stuff themselves on them, and go to sleep, and don't wake up. It's not quite that simple, but that's how I prefer to look at it!

[Florence Fennel]

A ratbag is also your horrible neighbour Tammy!

[womble]

Bait Bags or Wax Blocks, are the two most commonly used forms of Rodenticide. I use the wax blocks, which they love. They take them back to their nest and stuff themselves on them, and go to sleep, and don't wake up. It's not quite that simple, but that's how I prefer to look at it!

I thought you weren't supposed to let them take them away. Can't remember the exact reason, but then you have rat poison somewhere you aren't sure in the garden.

[Finedon.Dandy]

Ha ha FF!!!!