Two years ago in October, I had a rat infest my car. I think y'all remember that. I posted six posts... I, II, III, IV, and V and the Conclusion.
Now, when this happened, it was like I had leprosy to other Moms. Surely something had to be wrong with me and how I kept my vehicle that I had a RAT in my van. It was embarrassing. I'd tell people, "Really, there was NO food in my car other than that small bag of corn chex." Sure, they would nod, as if trying to appease me.
Mothers all over the county were telling their young, "Do not leave food in our car or we'll get rats!" As if this entire episode were truly my fault.
And it wasn't. We were having an addition put on the house, our water system got moved as well as all the plantings, it started to rain like hell that week, and the rat found itself displaced and my garage with the warm engine, was as good a place as any to nest.
Even my own spouse would look at me accusingly, although he knew better than to say anything. Imagine my smugness when a few months later he opened the hood to his pride and joy, his sports car, and was cleaning the engine, when he found a rats' nest.
To say I was throwing real zingers at him about it for DAYS or ANYTIME he washed his car, would be a serious understatement.
Since then, I have had people come up to me and say, "I had a rat in my car! He lived in my air conditioner!" Or "So and So had a rat die IN THEIR CAR" Eegads. My worst fear really was that daggum rat dying in my dashboard. Blech.
So... I watch with great interest as my newest blog sister Sarah of That's Not Very Nice, fights with mice... in her truck. HERE and HERE. My bets on Sarah, but I'm also betting those damn mice give her a run for her money. And here's to hoping it's truly mice and not a big 9 inch rat... that for the record will probably be a 2 FOOT rat in about 10 years. It's that whole fish story thing.
Posted by Boudicca at September 19, 2005 09:40 PM | TrackBackWhen we lived in Hawaii, I heard of people having roaches in their cars. Yuck! In order to get rid of the roaches, some people would buy those roach bombs or whatever they are called and set them off inside their cars.
Posted by: PrimoDonna at September 20, 2005 11:19 AMI don't know why it wasn't thought of before, but you could have had Son #2 "bomb" the van!
:)
Posted by: That 1 Guy at September 20, 2005 11:25 AMI am a mechanic in Tucson, Az. We have a huge problem with pack rats getting into engine compartments, fenders, air filter housings and even into the a/c ducts and building nests to breed. They eat wiring and insulation and can cause a lot of damage (not to mention spreading Hantivirus). You are not at fault for the rat problem you had, it is very common. Thought you could use the ammunition for those who would blame you. BTW- I have been a long time reader of your blog and your stories about your sons remind me of the stuff I go through with my two sons (6 & 9 yrs.). Keep it up, Bou!
Posted by: Shawn at September 20, 2005 12:30 PMI had a rat living in my tent once, and when I went to open it for vacation, out he popped! Ewe! Needless to say, I bought a new tent.
Posted by: Oddybobo at September 20, 2005 12:49 PMI never had problems with rats but I did have a cat take temporary residence under the hood of my pickup one time. I was a chilly night in Montana and I reckon the critter was looking for a warm place to sleep. We hadbeen to town and pulled in about an hour before I had to go to work on my nightshift. When I went out to go to work and started the pickup I heard a lot of racket and something thumping under the hood. I had cat scattered everywhere and didn't have time to clean up the mess before I had to leave for work. When I got home I was give out and then the sun came out-it was worse than smelling than a house the next day after pinto beans.
Posted by: GUYK at September 20, 2005 04:44 PMPrimoDonna- I have heard of that!!! Back when my car truly was a mess, I always wondered if that would be a problem! Blech.
T1G- You're right. Except... remnants of that bomb would linger and I might asphyxiate!
Oddybobo- Yeah, no sleeping with rats or fish for me!!
Shawn- Thank you! And thanks for coming by! I have a post coming up... I think tomorrow... tell me if you see your boys and please feel free to reassure me that I am going to live through it. Last week nearly frickin' killed me.
Guy- I know someone else that happened to. They said there was fur stuck in their car, glued with cat guts. Blech. No thanks.
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