Rats

[JustJon]

Hi,

 

Rat problem appears to be getting worse in my garden. They're spreading further up from the bottom of the garden. (based on position of holes) not sure why they dig holes in the middle of lawn though? Could understand it next to fence to get under?

 

So, if I want to see them to confirm, what's the best time to look for them? And do I need to torch, lamp, night vision or will they be out as dusk or Dawn?

 

Re baited but holding off on the traps... They frighten me setting them and if I'm away with work and the miss us has to deal with anything god help me!

 

So, visually confirm - thoughts?

 

Jack Russell kept going mad today (not field trained) so jot sure if she saw something. She also tried to dig one of the holes up.

[Scully]

What are they feeding on?I only ask as they wont eat poisoned 'blue' blocks unless all other food sources are gone.If you use Fenn traps make sure you make access to them by other non prey species such as cats,impossible.We put ours in wooden tunnels with 6" nails through the top which block off access by anything bigger than a rat.

[swiss.tony]

the holes in middle of garden are bolt holes you need to get on to council asap or a pest controler asap there must be some food surply

or rubbish in gargen may be dog food left out that is atracting them

 

if you dont sort them soon there will be loads easyist way will be poison but if you have dog it will bait boxes or traps if you have air rifle that will sort them but pellet must not leave ya garden or plod will be round just a standard rat trap with bit of chocolate will get you a few good luck get them sorted asap fella hope that helps

[mark@mbb]

if you get a decent air rifle you could have some fun of an evening my wife saw a couple around the stables and they had burrowed under the slab i ended up shooting 30 with a 410 out of the bedroom window one of the better days

 

mark

[JustJon]

Chickens both sides of me... Think I'm a pass-through so to speak.

 

Burnt the compost heap when I moved in so thats just grass now. Also think they're living under a neighbours shed based on holes near back fence.

 

Neo sorexa blocks are being taken, that's 6 so far and filled the bait point back up tonight.

 

It's the fenn traps that I'm not confident of... I've got some runs made to hide them in stopping access to anything large than a rat but still... When I'm away I don't want a dead rat sitting for 72 hours!

[Scully]

I don't know how well you get on with your neighbours,but it sounds as though they're not doing their job properly.Sounds like an Environmental Health issue to me.Have you told them of the effect THEIR rats are having on your garden?A bit of subtle negotiating may be called for.

[JustJon]

Tried ... Theyre all saying its mice (it's really not!)

[Zaiyn]

An air rifle will kill those you can get the cross hairs on and can be good fun, but it is not a proper solution I'm afraid.

It does sound like the neighbours should be addressing their own pest control issues.

The only comfort I could offer is that you definitely won't have mice when you have an infestation of rats.

Could you acquire a cat (a swear word to some, I know.)

 

Regards,

 

Zaiyn.

[MK38]

Chickens both sides of me... Think I'm a pass-through so to speak.

 

Burnt the compost heap when I moved in so thats just grass now. Also think they're living under a neighbours shed based on holes near back fence.

 

Neo sorexa blocks are being taken, that's 6 so far and filled the bait point back up tonight.

 

It's the fenn traps that I'm not confident of... I've got some runs made to hide them in stopping access to anything large than a rat but still... When I'm away I don't want a dead rat sitting for 72 hours!

 

First thing to do is speak to the neighbours to make them aware of the problem( though they should know if they look after there birds well), then get yourself some poison rat bait.... i get a fair sized tub from Scatts/mole valley farmers.

A drain pipe or plank of wood laid against the fence so they can run behind it, anchored so the dog can't get at it, place bait in pipe or behind plank and keep it topped up.... they eat lots of it (mine had a 1/2 pint mug full a day) and it will take several days of them eating it before they start dying.

You can shoot a few , but to get shot of them you really have to use poison.... as long as you make sure only the rats can get it, it's a safe and clean way of solving your problem.

 

Dave

[bruno22rf]

Ring the council-if they are under your neighbours sheds then its their problem and not yours-if your dog gets bitten then you will be footing the vets bill.If they have holes out in the open then the colony is well established and they will need professional attention.Best time to see them is just after dark with a torch.