of my flat!

Think I might have a rat problem. I heard definite scratching/gnawing under the kitchen cabinets of our downstairs flat last night, accompanied by possible squeaking from behind the washing machine and some dropping lying around. Didn't realise I had a rodent phobia until now tbh.

Should I try and remove the panels to put poison down under the cabinets? Worried that that thing that happened to Francis on Malcolm in the Middle will happen.

Also, this is all the councils fault because the back lane got apocalyptically filthy after the bin people strike and they only just cleared it up. Obviously the rats that moved into the area then are looking for new real estate in my kitchen. Have you ever had a rat problem?