I’m totally creeped out.   I woke up this morning to a rustling, scratching sound up behind my pillow. ??? WTF ???  Nothing is there but a wall. A new wall too, because five months ago we gutted the whole upstairs. The old lath and plaster was  torn out.  Everything stripped back to the bare rafters and rebuilt.  But what is making that noise? There it is again. Something is burrowing, digging in the foam installation behind the wall. OMG! gross, gross. How can this be?Â
A disclaimer: All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. (Warren is worried that some may conclude our critter problem is a reflection of his workmanship. Let me assure you that he is a wonderful contractor and VERY competent.  Shit happens when you own a 156 year old house – right?)
I’m all brave and outdoorsy when I’m walking through the woods. I don’t freak out when I feel the occasional spider web or creepy thing on my arms and legs. I expect there to be unpleasant little critters lurking under the bushes. What I am not alright with is  when creatures invade the perimeter of my home. Not cool.   Â
It is not too broad a statement to say that I hate creepy crawly things that bite.   That would include spiders, ants, mice, and squirrels.   Since we moved here in May I have hired an exterminator,  twice,  to treat the house for spiders and wasps.  In our wonderful family room with its 16′ high log rafter ceiling, spider webs hang like Miss Havisham’s wedding cake.  ‘Constant vigilance!’ involves a daily sweeping.
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I’m not sure what we are going to do about the creature burrowing in our bedroom wall.   How did they get in there? Warren thinks a squirrel has gotten into the soffit.  I suspect we will have to address this situation immediately, before babies are involved and things get worst.Â
I repeat. I am totally creeped out. Any suggestions?
westlakemusings 
I would suggest calling the pest control guy back – he can probably find where the problem originated and find the appropriate trap or whatever. I grew up in a house that was an inn and tavern in horse and buggy days – the nocturnal scratchings were normal. Hell, I named the scratchy guy in my wall. Still better than the ghost that used to make things move around at random.. 🙂
We found a small hole in the facia board. I don’t want Warren climbing any more ladders onto the roof so we have hired the eve trough guy to come back and fix the board. Hopefully this will keep out future squirrels. What did you name your guy in the wall? I have no ghosts and refuse to even think along those lines. ( Na Nan Na Na….. Can’t hear you when you talk about ghosts)
when I lived in the country there will mice in the walls; now that I live in town they live in the basement and have made friends with our cat
I wish you the best of luck with your critters
I swear, our cats re related.
Thanks for the advice ladies. I definitely won’t be getting a cat to handle the situation.
brothers in crime
Hi,
Have you already seen that nice stuff I’ve sent you lately? It’s just so great! Check it out http://gussie.yoursecretpartner.com
Best, Warren Grimm
I am invisioning you armed with all paraphernalia available to you to ward off any critter that may be taking up residence.
I have mouse traps and those electronic mouse eliminators spread out around the house (even if to only make me feel better).
For many years we kept a rubber snake under our cottage kitchen sink to ward off any mice. Just a few weeks ago I gave it to a neighbour who was complaining about a problem with mice. I will have to go to a toy store and buy another one.
Nothing creepier than something scratching at night in the walls. I’m freaked out. Been there too. I’ve lived in two century old homes and had the same experience. They go out during the day and burrow in at night, so if the problem was fixed during the day, i would assume it can’t get back in. Hope it’s gone.
I hate hearing the scratching/chewing/scampering in the walls. Our solution is to patch every single hole we can find outside–tar, expanding foam, whatever works–and then trap. We’ve had the most success with our electronic mousetrap. No mess, certain death.
electronic mousetrap?? I have never heard of that. Would you place it inside the wall? What happens if the animal dies in there ie smell?
It looks like a mailbox. We set it in the kitchen cupboard and put a scoop of peanut butter at the far end. It runs on batteries, and as soon as a mouse sets foot inside he’s shocked. We’ve never had one even make it close to the peanut butter (and we actually did catch a rat once too–ugh). A little light on top changes colour to let you know if you’ve caught a mouse, and then we just take it outside and dump him out. My husband bought it off eBay. I’ll ask him what the brand name is and let you know.
Thank you Julia. I want to get one of those.
Yo!
I know you were looking for that stuff for a long time, so I guess I found it, take a look here http://common.allyourhiphop.com
Sincerely, Warren Grimm
Hey!
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Speak to you later, Warren Grimm
It’s the Victor Electronic Rat Trap, Diane: http://www.victorpest.com/store/rat-control/m240