I wasn’t sure at the time. Maybe it wasn’t a rat. It could have been a squirrel.

Last weekend at the lake house I kept hearing commotion under the floor. It would come and go, but whatever the critter, it getting mad, and it was getting loud. I was concerned for the wires and structure under the floor. Mine is an arctic equipped, 4 season fifth wheel coach, so there is a whole subfloor level that is heated to prevent pipes from freezing in the winter. Having looked all inside for any evidence that the pest has penetrated into the interior of my abode, I was satisfied that his antics were thus far limited to the sub-floor area of the coach. Immediate action had to be taken. I set out last Saturday to Wal Mart and picked up 2 packages of rat bait and some of sticky-glue contact paper designed to trap a critter. Of course, embarrassed, I went to the self-check line. After all, what would the neighbors think if they knew I was on a rat hunt?

Before returning to the Metroplex, I carefully positioned the bait and contact paper in two strategic areas in the sub floor storage compartments. “Whatever the variety, this critter is going to get a surprise,” thought I as I departed for the week. On a couple of occasions I called back to Arrowhead to check with Gary, who was surveying the the storage areas for any sign of the outlaw rodent. Nothing. He and Mel probably thought I was hearing things. It’s happened.

Oh, if it could be that easy.

When I got down here yesterday and checked the storage area, all hell had clearly broken loose since Gary’s last trap check. The contents of the storage department were strewn about, a role of paper towels torn to shreds, the bait was gone, and the contact paper, with a nice chunk of black and brown fur, was wadded and stuck to the back wall of the storage compartment near a predrilled wire and utility access hole.

“Damn!,” I proclaimed to a confused Beacon-dog who wondered if it was she that had something wrong. “Close, but no rodent.” The outlaw critter had escaped, but upon close examination of the evidence, it appears he is probably an squirrel, albeit one with a big bald spot. (DNA test results on the evidence will take 2-3 weeks).

Irritated and determined more than ever, last night I headed out in the rain and freezing temps to, where else, WalMart in Hillsboro, and straight to the rodent isle. Looking over my shoulder, I equipped myself with more bait, and this time with 2 huge rat traps. I again headed for the anonymous check-out line and then sped back to Lake Whitney in the darkness of the night.

Wasting no time, the traps are now set, each with a generous amount of yummy peanut butter. I have already heard the suspect under the floor again, and I hope it is just a matter of time until I hear that SNAP, and then there will be celebration. Beer, nuts, and all. Maybe even squirrel jerky! Even Beacon is beside herself right now as she keeps hearing the trespasser and knows certainly that it does not belong.

Stay tuned for updates from the Rat Patrol.