Rodents...

[dc2009]

Hi everyone,

Could do with some advice. Earlier today I saw a mouse/ rat (sorry not 100% sure which though though think it was probably a rat as I imagine a mouse would have been too small for me to notice from inside my house). It was underneath the bird table, I went outside and it ran away going under our outside), some people have compost bins in their gardens and their is also an fence into the alleyway behind our garden. Whilst I know the bird food may play a part in attracting it, two of our neighbours have dogs (so food/ faeces allotments nearby - which my search on the net suggests are possibly some ideal circumstances for these rodents.

My concerns are: I don't want them chewing into the wooden garden shed to access food or living underneath it so am contemplating putting one of those sonic repellers on in the shed... Has anyone any experience/ advice on these - baring in mind I have 2 pet guinea pigs living in my house and wouldn't want it to be bad for them.

Naturally I don't want them to start breeding or end up in the house, but am reluctant to just kill them without exploring my options. What would you suggest I do? Possibly contact the council, get a repeller, trap/ killer, remove the bird food? Any suggestions much appreciated.

Thanks everyone!

[Tobyh]

Hi there,

No experience of the sonic deterrents but do have rats from time to time. The food you put out for the birds is enough alone to attract them - as long as they have somewhere to nest (mine picked underneath the compost heap).

Personally I don't like the idea of poisoning and unless they are getting brave and not scampering off when I go out, then I tend to leave them alone. I've only seen one adult a time - once I saw young I decided that was enough and trapped some. I do have an air rifle and this is the only thing I'll use it on. Not everyone agrees with that but that's my choice. Rather that than dying at the hand of poison.

The main point I was going to make is that I have my food stored in my summerhouse, very close to where they nest. They haven't made any efforts (that I'm aware of) to get into there as there is no doubt enough food outside for them to pick up.

If only I could encourage them to somehow thin out the feral pigeons - then I'd be grateful.

*edit to add* - maybe just monitor the situation. It's not exactly a disaster. If I did find one in the home then I would be onto them in a flash using any means to eradicate them - this is where I totally draw the line (and so would the Mrs!)


TobyH

[Cowgirl]

Hi, I can only recommend against mice the ones that use the wiring to emit an unpleasant frequency. I've read that the sonic ones only work in a clear space as the sound doesn't pass through objects. I use these succesfully in the house & am not bothered by mice anymore.

I have to agree with Toby, I'e found that the airgun is the only way to persuade them to move on. Mine soon got the message. I only had to shoot 3. It's not nice but I feel it's the best way for me to deal with them. They occaisionally make a foray back in bad weather but don't hang around. There must be a ratty sign somewhere saying. Do not stay.

I just keep an eye on the situ, I live rurally so I expect them & am tolerant, but as long as they stay out of sight & keep out of my shed (I did move my food tho) My outbuildings are brick but they chew the bottom of the door so they can squeeze & recently have chewed all the wiring & tubing of my petrol strimmer (I hope they chocked on the petrol ), but they've moved on.

I don't bother about the mice as they are woodmice & quite cute, there's quite a few holes nr the bird feeder, but I like the fact that they're getting a meal as well. Live & let live (but only to a point).

[rossy]

hello dc2009 i put in the garden a device to deter cats and that didnt work, also i had a rat which went under my shed, anyway i got the council in and didnt see the rat again, when i looked in the shed i found the rat had chewed its way in , so i took down the shed , the point is i didnt see what happend to the rat i can only guess, but if ones around you can bet more will appear, so if i were you id call the council in, hope you sort it out but dont hang around, rossy.