Hi Everyone

[homely59]

I am new and will need time to get used to using the forums, so hope i am not putting this in the wrong place. I came across this website when i was looking for advice on rats in my garden. I love all animals and don't dislike rats, it is just that people scare me telling me that they carry such terrible diseases and could kill my dog, because of it. I have had one running backwards and forwards for months going into the next door neighbours ferret cage. I could cope with that once or twice a day, although it's huge. Just now though i saw a baby just outside my back door, eating the leftovers of my dogs bonio, i think. Now i am really worried that they could start breeding like mad and get in the house. I hate all the suggestions of how to get rid of them, because they all have bad affects even moving them to a safer place. I even read a post from someone who said that squirrels, birds and hedgehogs carry just as many diseases but i rarely see these and they keep their distance, whereas the rats don't seem to fear us at all. Big rat even ran across the bottom of the garden yesterday afternoon, when my son and baby grandaughter where out there. Seriously can someone please advise me of geniunely how much more risk are they, than anything else. It is the thought of them multiplying that really worries me. Would appreciate some help here, thanks in advance.

[ron1863]

Hi and a warm welcome to WAB. We had rats under out decking and eventually contacted our local council who sent out the experts and the rats were gone in a week.

[Ollie]

Hi and a very warm welcome. Like Ron said I would definitely contact your local council as it sounds as though they are breeding.
Roger

[Hedge Witch]

Hi - welcome to WAB.

Sorry about your problem. I too am sure the council will help. To reduce the problem in the meantime you could try to ensure there are no open bins, bin bags, food waste etc in the area that might attract them. I realise it is not always easy to influence what happens in neighbouring gardens though

Good luck, keep us posted

[Kayleigh]

Hi and welcome to WAB

[Dutchess]

Hello Homely, and welcome to WAB.

I admire rats for their intelligence and successfulness, but it seems yours are getting a little too close for comfort. I wouldn't like it, especially with young children around. Call the council, environmental health ought to sort it out for you.

Let us know how you get on and then hopefully you can start posting away with happy emoticons!

Good luck,

D.

[dmclean2]

Hi Homely,
Welcome to WAB, hope you have some luck with the rat problem , I think if you follow the advice given, and contact the council or even a pest control company they will help you out,
Duncan.

[Forestman]

Welcome!!! looking forward to reading your posts,meantime,I wish you well with the R*T problem....the advice I've read here makes sense.I live next to a farm and keeping on top of the little breeders is not easy....However,making sure they have as little to graze on is key (apart from calling in the council of course!!!)

[ellen h]

Hello and welcome to WAB!!
ellen

[deer boy]

Hi homely59 welcome to WAB

[ron1863]

Your local Council won't charge for the service, well mine didn't

[Martin Wilson]

Originally Posted by ron1863

Hi and a warm welcome to WAB. We had rats under out decking and eventually contacted our local council who sent out the experts and the rats were gone in a week.

I think that is your best way as Ron says, get some one in who knows how to eradicate them properly....rats have their place but not so close to you!!
Good luck and on a better Note welcome to WAB.

Martin

[juliejam]

Hi ther...sorry to hear of you Rat problem...Im sure with the advice that has been given it will sorted out.. You dont want any more moving in with the colder weather not too far away....

Welcome to the forum...and keep us posted ..

Julie

[Dutchess]

Yes, it is very odd that a rat should enter a ferret's own territory. They are natural enemies (rats being the prey.) I believe they used to use ferrets as ratters? I have also heard that ferret droppings can be used to keep rats out of rabbit shed's, aviaries, etc. I'd have to be desperate to resort to that though. Come on, there's no mistaking the smell...

I'd keep all animal feed out of the garden if I were you, Homely. Dog will have to eat Bonios on the doormat

hth

D.

[Kayleigh]

Sounds like there is lots food left around maybe the neighbours leave lots of the ferrets food on the floor or something..
Get the rat man to have a word with your neighbour too.
You don't say whether you feed the birds or not.

[homely59]

Thank you all, kind people that have replied to my post. I have been in contact with the council and i am waiting to hear back. I feel absolutely dreadful that i am going to be responsible for the poor things being killed. Once they have done their job, my husband is going to get rid of our compost heap. Thats sad as well been there for many years and all the family use it. We never put food on there just grass clipping and garden stuff. As far as the ferrets, yes i was told by the next door neighbour that they are mortal enemies. I think the rolands go underneath the concrete, the cage is about 12' by 8' and they have approx. 5 ferrets. I think the food must be falling underneath and outside, so perhaps no actual contact with the rats. My dog chased one and only just missed it by a fraction and they run across in front of him so they appear to like dicing with death to get to their food. It is possible that he shuts the ferrets in a smaller area later in the day, because Roland likes to go across more or less the same time everyday. I think i have heard some terrible fights in there and wondered if maybe it was the rat and ferret but he said it is something to do with the mating thing, charming, lol. I will keep you updated. Might help someone else, who really doesn't want to do this but is left with no alternative, have to think of my dog and grandaughter, oops just realised they order they are in.