Can there be 'one' rat

wild flower · #1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 05:52 PM

After reading an earlier thread on rats and birdtables I thought I would ask your for your thoughts on the following....is it possible for there to be just one rat in my garden?? I see one particular rat quite often-I know its the same one because he seems to have caught his tail in a door at some point! I have not seen any others-but is it really possible that there is just one?! Or am I just fooling myself and trying to avoid taking action

hannahpanda · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 09:22 PM

very unlikely as rats live in colonies and have a hierarchy within their group. If it doesnt live in your garden then i supose he could be feeding on his own but returning to his colony. I dont know much about their feeding habits.
Although if hes missing half his tail he could have been in a fight with another rat.

Is he definatly a wild rat?

paulchandler6 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 09:26 PM

Hi there wildflower. Its possible to have only one Rat maybe? I had the same problem last year. I saw one Rat fairly frequently and again I knew it was the same one as it had a slight limp.
I managed to catch it in a humane trap and release it at another location.
I then left the trap out and subsequently caught another 3.
Now whether the initial Rat was territorial and kept others away I dont know and after it was relocated others then moved in I cant be sure.
So what I'm saying is I dont know.

Paul

cathyh · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 09:50 PM

Hi Wildflower,

My Mum, who is a Great-granny now, would say " don't worry" she would tell you it is only a field Rat! she says "they love horses and stables - and Pubs"!!!

she would say "as long as it does not come into your house it is ok".

..............My Mum sleeps well at night!

Cathyh.

Garden Carpet · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 09:56 PM

I live in the country on the edge of a large field.. and for the first time since i moved in I have rats. The maintenance chap says there is a nest.. with potatoes!!!, above my bedroom.. no wonder i thought they were rolling boulders. I have had the pest control in. they cleared the first lot.. and two weeks later i have another infestation. Has anyone ideas beyond the poison and trapping... neither of which have worked
jaki

C C · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild flower

After reading an earlier thread on rats and birdtables I thought I would ask your for your thoughts on the following....is it possible for there to be just one rat in my garden?? I see one particular rat quite often-I know its the same one because he seems to have caught his tail in a door at some point! I have not seen any others-but is it really possible that there is just one?! Or am I just fooling myself and trying to avoid taking action

Hard to answer. But i have often come across solitory Rats in Gardens, and many of them had been there for a while. It all depends on the availabilty of food.

Regards Christian

Marshall Stax · #7 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 10:08 PM

According to everything I have ever seen on them the answer to your question on whether you could have just one is no, unless of course it is an escaped pet.

The damage to the tail could also indicates that it is not alone, as I remember reading somewhere that tail damage often occurs as a result of a fight due to the fact that the winner nearly always bites the rear of the looser as it makes its escape.

The good news is that although unlikely it is possible that at the moment this is the only one coming into the garden (if you are at the edge of their range); the bad news is normally more will follow (especially if there is a food source available) and although they will occasionally look for food during the day, they are nocturnal, so it is possible that others are in fact already coming in during the night.

David

The Black Rabbit · #8 (**permalink**) 11-01-2008, 08:51 AM

Very simple answer this.
NO.

But then again, I really wouldn't be over concerned about it / them.

C C · #9 (**permalink**) 11-01-2008, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C C

Hard to answer. But i have often come across solitory Rats in Gardens, and many of them had been there for a while. It all depends on the availabilty of food.

Regards Christian

Just to add. Try and cut out the rats food supply(if possible), and there is a good chance the Rat will leave.

Garden Carpet · #10 (**permalink**) 11-01-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C C

Just to add. Try and cut out the rats food supply(if possible), and there is a good chance the Rat will leave.

Good idea..but what to do when the blessed things are bringing their own food into my house..ie potatoes from the field beside me!!!! I know they arent mine as all my foodstuffs are in rat/mouse proof containers.. or in the fridge!
jaki