Vermin in a crate (3)
I believe the answer is:
rat
'vermin' is the definition.
(I've seen this in other clues)
'in a crate' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'RAT' is hidden in the letters of 'crate'.
(Other definitions for rat that I've seen before include "Destructive rodent" , "Unpleasant character" , "Rodent; informer (colloq.)" , "Rodent pest" , "One deserting sinking ship" .)