Pistol*Pete Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 Whats the best way to deal with Rats getting at the feeders in the cover crop? There is just loads of rat holes around the feeders? If I move the feeders the holes will move? I can't shoot them because I don't see them? Any ideas would be appreciated. TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malantone Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 make low tunnels with bent tin or bricks and wooden cover so that birds cant get in and put poison under them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 We used 3 foot lengths of plastic pipe and pushed the poison into the middle and placed on one of the rat runs that way only the rat's got to it. We also used the accelerated lead poisoning method Sit quietly with the air rifle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 I think it is now illegal, or at least against best practise, to use poison away from buildings. Try a tunnel trap at each feeder, you will catch a few but the survivors do get trap shy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 Whats the current legislation on gassing? Pub size bottle of co2 is cheap enough... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 I think it is now illegal, or at least against best practise, to use poison away from buildings. Try a tunnel trap at each feeder, you will catch a few but the survivors do get trap shy. You can get poison specifically cleared for use away from buildings. I have a 25kg bag, but can't remember the name at the moment. Poisoning is viewed as a last resort where other methods have failed/Not practical. Done properly it is safe, and very effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Scotland Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 Could you use a couple of ferrets and dogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted October 6, 2017 Report Share Posted October 6, 2017 Could you use a couple of ferrets and dogs Id do this, bjt then how many are you getting on the feeders? You will never remove them 100% I doubt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pistol*Pete Posted October 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2017 Ive not actually seen them as the feeders are in the cover crop, The only thing you can see are holes and runs that they use. I didn't want to use poison as there are birds moving around in the crop. I may have to use a bit of old pipe with a trap in it. Thanks for all the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted October 6, 2017 Report Share Posted October 6, 2017 Rats will be around all year if the shoot is a on going thing invest in some fenn traps and make tunnels run all year. As said you just have to live with them in cover just keep the numbers down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted October 6, 2017 Report Share Posted October 6, 2017 I use Roguard bait dispensers which I find very successful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted October 6, 2017 Report Share Posted October 6, 2017 Ive not actually seen them as the feeders are in the cover crop, The only thing you can see are holes and runs that they use. I didn't want to use poison as there are birds moving around in the crop. I may have to use a bit of old pipe with a trap in it. Thanks for all the advice. I poisoned round all my feeders last year season. I used a piece of pipe to feed poison down the holes out of sight, then once the poison stopped disappearing I filled the holes to make sure they weren't re-opend. Fenns are slow to get working as rats are neophobic, and don't forget they have to be checked a minimum of once a day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipdog Posted October 6, 2017 Report Share Posted October 6, 2017 (edited) I poisoned round all my feeders last year season. I used a piece of pipe to feed poison down the holes out of sight, then once the poison stopped disappearing I filled the holes to make sure they weren't re-opend. Fenns are slow to get working as rats are neophobic, and don't forget they have to be checked a minimum of once a day Combination of poison, traps and shooting. Heard it time and time again that rats are neophobic....... I’m sure only useless rat catchers spread that myth, if anything I would say the are inquisitive. I set 3 new tunnel traps last weekend, Iv caught 4 rats between them less than a week later. Get them in the right place they will catch. Edited October 6, 2017 by zipdog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black powder gunner Posted October 7, 2017 Report Share Posted October 7, 2017 Products containing second generation anticoagulants(SGARS)which most modern rat poisons are,should never be used in open country side or near game covers it tells you this on the label. This is because of secondary poisoning of raptors red kites barn owls buzzards this is because poisoned rats and mice can take while to die and if eaten by raptors will kill them. You can use other rat poisons but these are not as effective due to resistance building up. To buy (SGARS) you have to go on a training course and take a short exam which will give you a certificate of competence enabling you to buy this product. There are many people offering this qualification including BASC city and guilds lantra. Always read the label wear protective clothing and transport use and dispose of pesticides and poisons safely. Going back to your original question the best way to control rats in holes around feeders is to gas them using phoxtoxin or talunex pellets. You have to have certificate of competence to use and buy this product which is available from the same ones who do the rat poisons. Hope this helps black powder gunner (city and guilds assessor and trainer) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted October 7, 2017 Report Share Posted October 7, 2017 A pub size co2 is £12... Co2 Is heavier than air... You dont have to worry about killing yourself... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted October 7, 2017 Report Share Posted October 7, 2017 I poisoned round all my feeders last year season. I used a piece of pipe to feed poison down the holes out of sight, then once the poison stopped disappearing I filled the holes to make sure they weren't re-opend. Fenns are slow to get working as rats are neophobic, and don't forget they have to be checked a minimum of once a day Don't think fenn traps have to be checked daily as they are kill traps..... but it is good practice to I have no trouble with fenn traps seem the most effective of traps I use in success ratio.... use also large mouse type and live multi catch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipdog Posted October 7, 2017 Report Share Posted October 7, 2017 Don't think fenn traps have to be checked daily as they are kill traps..... but it is good practice to I have no trouble with fenn traps seem the most effective of traps I use in success ratio.... use also large mouse type and live multi catch. plus 1, fenn traps do not need to be checked daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 plus 1, fenn traps do not need to be checked daily. plus 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted October 8, 2017 Report Share Posted October 8, 2017 (edited) Could help with a answer if you told us the type of game cover and the acreage your try to control your pests on Just a thought All the best Of And what you're feeding your birds on Edited October 8, 2017 by Old farrier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Neal Posted October 10, 2017 Report Share Posted October 10, 2017 https://basc.org.uk/cop/trapping-pest-mammals/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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