In the lively field of pest control, professionals often encounter scenarios that are as surprising as they are challenging. Take, for instance, the experiences of pest controllers who deal with rats in urban environments. These nimble creatures have adapted incredibly well to city life, often appearing in the most unexpected of places. This was precisely the case when a woman, while using her bathroom, discovered a rat in an extremely compromising and frightening situation. Situations like these highlight the unexpected nature of urban wildlife management and the peculiarities that come with it.
A woman experienced a shocking encounter when she found a rat in her toilet, a scenario made all the more startling as it occurred while she was seated on it. Professional rat catcher Kieran Sampler, aged 30, was promptly called to address this unnerving situation. The rat, it appears, had navigated the sewer pipes and found its unfortunate end in the toilet bowl where it became submerged and trapped.
As recounted by Kieran, the rat had managed to climb another drainage pipe and entered the toilet just as the woman was there. The sudden contact with the rat understandably led her to scream in fright. Imagine the horror of settling down for a moment of privacy only to be disrupted by the touch of a rat against your leg. It was, without question, an unusual event.
Kieran, throughout his career, has stumbled upon many unusual situations. He shared stories such as one involving a rat that had burrowed within the wooden slats of a client’s bed. He also recalled an instance where a household cat caught a rat and released it in the bedroom, causing quite the commotion at night. His experiences are a testament to the unpredictable nature of his work in dealing with these creatures.
During one such mission, Kieran’s dog proved instrumental in locating the rat, which had hidden inside a drawer. His dog quickly identified the rat, but catching it was another hassle altogether. In 2018, Kieran launched the “Yorkshire Rat Pack” on Facebook to share his expertise and support fellow rat catchers, later establishing his own company, Vermicure Pest Control, servicing areas in South and West Yorkshire.
Unlike many professionals in his field, Kieran opts not to use cages to trap rats, believing that such confinement causes undue stress to the animals. Instead, he employs his trained Lakeland Terriers, Poppy and Penny, to track and humanely dispatch the rats. This approach has earned him considerable praise and underscores his commitment to humane pest control practices. His business continues to grow as more individuals seek his skill in addressing rat infestations compassionately.
Despite the sometimes grim and unpleasant nature of his job, Kieran remains passionate and finds great fulfillment in helping individuals resolve their rat issues while treating the animals with respect. The episode with the rat in the toilet remains one of the most memorable in his career. He reflects on these unique challenges with a sense of humor, recognizing that each day brings a different set of circumstances in the life of a rat catcher.