I work the graveyard shift at my job, and when I start work, everyone else leaves and I'm there all by myself. Since this past winter, I've noticed an occasional rat in the kitchen area of my office, however in the past week, they have been getting really brave and coming into the office and running right next to me. These are not pet rats, these are the grey tree rats. Some of them are huge, and some are ....oh I'd say about the size of my foot. I wear a size 7 shoe. Last night a rat ran right under my work station, while I was on a call with a customer. I freaked. I started screaming and jumped up, and started jumping and banging my desk. I also said a few (bleeped) words into the ear of my caller. Anyway, the rat ran out from under my station but he didn't leave the office, he ran right into the middle of the office and found refuge somewhere - I don't know where in the office itself, which meant I spent the night in the room with the rat. I also spent the night banging my desk and hitting my foot on the floor, so the rat would hear activity and hopefully stay away from me.
I am so terrified. I've heard rats carry lots of disease and even rabies. I can't relax, not for a minute while I'm in that office alone. My boss said he's going to set out traps, but I'm not thrilled with that either. I don't really relish the idea of spending the night with a dead or dying rat in a trap, either.
One caller I spoke to, told me that I should just look at a rat as a large mouse, and that they are much more terrified of me, than I am of them. It helped me get thru the other night, but yesterday I was talking with some people at the Vet's office and they told me rats do attack people. Last night, I was in tears I was so terrified. I just want to know if anyone thinks I have anything to worry about, other than the disease factor, or could I get attacked. I'm not going after the rats, I'm just trying to keep them away from me.
I am so terrified. I've heard rats carry lots of disease and even rabies. I can't relax, not for a minute while I'm in that office alone. My boss said he's going to set out traps, but I'm not thrilled with that either. I don't really relish the idea of spending the night with a dead or dying rat in a trap, either.
One caller I spoke to, told me that I should just look at a rat as a large mouse, and that they are much more terrified of me, than I am of them. It helped me get thru the other night, but yesterday I was talking with some people at the Vet's office and they told me rats do attack people. Last night, I was in tears I was so terrified. I just want to know if anyone thinks I have anything to worry about, other than the disease factor, or could I get attacked. I'm not going after the rats, I'm just trying to keep them away from me.