spandit Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 A friend of mine runs a café at a local wood and we were there yesterday when I noticed a couple of large rats running about. Obviously attracted by the food that gets dropped outside (where we were). They were in the area of a "mud kitchen" where children can play with pots & pans etc. so I immediately banned our daughter from going in there. Spoke to the friend discretely and she introduced me to the owner who said I could come and shoot them and for the privilege, she wouldn't charge me for a walk in their woodland! Bargain, you should have seen how quickly I drove home and back, using my diesel, ammunition and time... They do have bait stations, apparently, but being in a wood, getting rid of them permanently is not going to be easy. They're thinking of getting a cat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 A friend of mine runs a café at a local wood and we were there yesterday when I noticed a couple of large rats running about. Obviously attracted by the food that gets dropped outside (where we were). They were in the area of a "mud kitchen" where children can play with pots & pans etc. so I immediately banned our daughter from going in there. Spoke to the friend discretely and she introduced me to the owner who said I could come and shoot them and for the privilege, she wouldn't charge me for a walk in their woodland! Bargain, you should have seen how quickly I drove home and back, using my diesel, ammunition and time... They do have bait stations, apparently, but being in a wood, getting rid of them permanently is not going to be easy. They're thinking of getting a cat... There will always be rats wherever you are. It's what you do to stop them entering buildings and food areas that counts. I.e no food left on floor, strict cleaning routine so no residue or crumbs etc is left (Rat's only eat around 6g a day). Food all in good quality containers. Proofing needs to be amazing there. I.e no holes you can get a biro in, or else you'll have mice in there too. (biro size for mouse, thumb size for rat). Bins: Ideally have bins that Rat's can't get into... i.e metal shutting lid types and keep outside clean. Bait stations with regularly checked and filled bait, perhaps some snap traps? I think getting a cat is stupid, it would be able to just hunt for mice, rats, and non target species to it's hearts content in a woods? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 They do have bait stations, apparently, but being in a wood, getting rid of them permanently is not going to be easy. They're thinking of getting a cat... I would say impossible. If you ever learn the answer, let me know, I can hear them under my floor now as I type ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted August 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 I've started using their burrows as toilets for the dog mess my pair leave. Gets rid of it anyway. A watering can full of water and it goes deep underground! I bought a Nooski trap but have never caught one in it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 I've started using their burrows as toilets for the dog mess my pair leave. Gets rid of it anyway. A watering can full of water and it goes deep underground! I bought a Nooski trap but have never caught one in it... Splendid idea, even if it doesn't work, it will make me feel better! My trouble is I'm feeding housed bullocks not 25 yds from the back door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 They need to remove all the other food sources and get a proper pest controller in, who will likely work out into those woods as well as at the problem zone. Far better they get a good terrier than a cat, cats are generally very half hearted ratters. Its an on on going war against the scaley tail, I have a load of tunnel traps as a perimeter defence, when they catch I increase my baits, shooting does very little by comparison over the long term Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted August 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 That's one of the reasons I didn't drive back (that and jetlag) - think they'll have to get some ratters in. I'm not sure what a health inspector would say but I don't want my friend to lose their job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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