The Mug and Cauldron
"You can make lights as bright as you want, and it'll only be a temporary fix. You see rats mostly at night because they can hide better then, so they're out more in the dark -- but hang out behind a mill or brewery or slaughterhouse and you'll see 'em right out in the sunlight, in front of God and everybody."
Aldous blinks a couple times, then makes a sign, touching his forehead, his belly, and each side of his chest.
"Cats are good, but I doubt you'd want a cat around that was big enough and mean enough to go down in that cellar right now -- and if you get a queen, then you'll turn your rat problem into a cat problem in short order. A couple little dogs might do better than a cat, but you haven't got time to raise good ratters from pups -- and you can't depend on buying an adult, it'll just run home as soon as you turn your back."
Aldous frowns. "We need magic, no doubt about it, but any magic man or woman will tell you they can solve your problem, whether it's true or not. That's how they get paid -- for their time, not for their results."