eek...

Having seen no sign of the rat since Tuesday morning, I thought it was maybe gone.

I'd even started cooking at home, instead of only eating packaged foods from the store.

Just in case, I've been turning off the heat in the kitchen when I went to bed, too, and blocked off my bedroom door so none of that heat escaped.

Plus, I've kept up with the peppermint oil refresh every night.

My house smells like a candy cane bakery.

(smile)

Last night, I decided to move the electric rat trap from the sunroom to the kitchen.

I placed it right up against the cabinet, right in front of the doorway out to the hall.

A noise in the kitchen had brought me in, while watching "Ghosts", but it quelled after I banged on the cabinet doors and barked.

Yes, barked, like the big Year of the Dog person I am.

No more noises was reassuring, but not by much.

I slept pretty well, even so, snug in my secure room.

This morning, I got up late, as the temperature dropped to the 40's last night.

As the coffee was brewing, I noticed a flashing green light on the rat trap.

I made a mental note to contact my brother and ask about it, then turned on the heater and made a cheese and egg wrap for breakfast.

Then, as was eating and watching "The Price Is Right", I heard a noise.

The crowd was cheering, so I thought it might have been a high-pitched person...

but I knew it wasn't.

I continued eating my breakfast until I was done.

Then I got dressed and went into the kitchen.

 

Yes, there was definitely a rat tail sticking out of the electric trap, just as Smitty had said there would be. 

The green light that had been flashing was off.

It must have been signaling that the creature was within.

I unlocked the front door and pulled it ajar, then I very carefully picked up the trap and set it outside on the front porch, then closed the door.

Ugh.

Now what to do?

I contacted Smitty to let him know the trap had finally done its job.

I think I was hoping he would come and deal with its contents.

Nope, that didn't happen.

So, I dealt with it, emptying the rat into the kitchen trash bag, then depositing the whole thing into the garbage can outside.

I took the trap back inside and placed it again by the cabinet.

Then I washed my hands.

Hopefully, that ordeal with a house invader is done...

but, just in case, I'll keep an ear and an eye open for the net few days.