
audiobook
by Ike Matthews
Full Revelations of a Professional Rat-Catcher, after 25 Years’ Experience by Ike Matthews.
Introduction.
PART I. HOW TO CLEAR RATS FROM WAREHOUSES, OFFICES, STOREROOMS, ETC.
PART II. HOW TO KEEP AND WORK FERRETS.
PART III. THE HABITS OF RATS.
PART IV. LIFE OF THE RAT-CATCHER.
HINTS ON RABBIT SHOOTING.
AUTHOR’S NOTES.
A seasoned professional shares more than a quarter‑century of hands‑on knowledge about keeping cities free of unwanted rodents. Drawing from countless jobs with railways, merchants and warehouses, the author balances practical technique with a keen curiosity about rat behavior, offering a realistic view of what can—and cannot—be achieved in large towns.
The guide focuses on safe, effective methods, warning against indoor poisoning and detailing step‑by‑step trapping strategies using steel spring traps, sawdust, soot and other simple materials. Real‑world anecdotes illustrate common pitfalls, such as the lingering odor from a poisoned rat beneath floorboards, and show how quiet, night‑time work and careful placement can yield impressive catches. Whether you’re dealing with a cramped storeroom or a bustling office, the book equips listeners with clear, time‑tested tactics to manage rodent problems without unnecessary hazards.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (75K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2005-12-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1857–1913
Best known for a lively late-Victorian memoir-manual on rat catching, this little-known writer turned practical know-how into a surprisingly vivid slice of everyday urban life. His work mixes trade secrets, animal lore, and street-level observation in a way that still feels distinctive.
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