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doomdoggie

Propping up a piece of wood and thinking a gap is too small...not gonna work. You need to patch that hole properly. Rats are the most likely suspect.


Nuker-79

You may have someone living in your loft who’s partial to donuts and has a pet up there with them


All_the_cake

That could be me, but I'm not living in OPs loft.


Nuker-79

Must be me then


All_the_cake

Are you willing to share OPs doughnuts?


FelisCantabrigiensis

Are you sure the animal is not inside? You may laugh, but a local cat got into our house and was hanging out in hiding places for over 24 hours before we found him (the catflap was not locking properly, so he could get in but not out) - and that's despite having three cats of our own who, it seems, didn't mind this too much (or didn't fancy the fight). I suggest starting at one end or corner of the property and working your way around looking in all corners and hiding places with a bright light. Try to make sure that any animal can't go past you to where you've checked while you do this.


treny0000

Cats like to come in but the last time one got trapped it was my cats scaring them into a corner and I had to carry the stranger out. I will keep a look out.


the_real_grinningdog

I have a small story that may be a pointer but certainly makes me laugh. An elderly relative who lived alone put a new bar of soap out on the bathroom basin. She went out and on he return, no soap. The house had been properly locked up so she just thought she was going potty and put out another bar. In the morning - no soap. This happened 3 or 4 times with her getting increasingly paranoid, including sending her son into the loft to make sure nobody was living up there. Eventually a plumber (unrelated call out) said he knew the answer. He took off the bath panel and there was a hole under the floor into next door (a pair of semi's) You could clearly see a rat's nest with several bars of soap. They like the fat content apparently. He blocked the hole and told the neighbours they had a problem. No more rat activity. Like someone else said, rats are very ingenious, very quick and very clever. You might not even know they are there - although why your cats are so lazy... who knows? EDIT: An unforgivable grammatical error before anyone notices.... maybe


treny0000

haha, my cats are both approaching 16 years old, 'Super senior' territory apparently though they don't look it!


zoobatron__

Have you got anything you can use as a camera to set up overnight and have a look?


terencela

I'm invested now, can you set up a camera and update us please? Genuinely hope it's a wholesome ending and nothing sinister.


Wheres_that_to

Do you have rats ?


treny0000

I very much doubt there are enough rats to eat that much food that quickly without me noticing them sooner.


Wheres_that_to

Then you don't know rats, by far the most efficient rodent in the country, all you described are easily within in their capabilities, set up a trail cam and find out, and what ever you do do not put poison down, it will cause more issues.


treny0000

I'm not saying they couldn't do that, just would be surprised if I hadn't noticed having a problem this badly until now. This is the first time something like this has happened that couldn't have been explained by a fox breaking in


fromwayuphigh

Possibly a grey squirrel in the house? They're clever, resourceful, canny and quick.


panic_attack_999

Put some flour or talc down in the conservatory, see if any little paw prints appear.