Rats! What do I do now?

Vincent86 · #61 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 12:08 PM

Yes, I guess it's the food. Can't put some poison since I got a dog who stays inside our house.

Jonathan · #62 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shirl

I haven't tried rabbit food yet, but will get some. Interestingly put some chocolate buscuits in a plastic lid near the cage yesterday, this morning the rat had moved the lid and eaten the bics! So tonight I have a trail of chocolate buscuits leading into the cage - fingers crossed! Hopefully it will be getting used to the cage being there now, you need alot of patience for live trapping I am afraid.

Shirl

Try leaving the door/s to the trap open for several days, allowing the rat easy access in and out. When it's regulary eating the bait in the trap then shut the doors. Where abouts have you placed your traps? Rats normally prefer to move along walls, etc. so set the traps there. You might find a Fen trap is more effective if it's really trap shy.

Cheers
Jonathan

shirl · #63 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 03:41 PM

Thanks Jonathan

It really is an intelligent rat this one, I have put one live trap near the edge of the roof close to where I know it's living, covered with some insulation. The rat was being very cautious and spending it's time under the insulation at first. Recently it's venturing above the insulation (fresh droppings on the top) so I really am hoping it's getting used to it. It's already been in the loft about 6 weeks so I suspect there will be rather a mess under the insulation again. It's had some more of the buscuit trail this morning, so - fingers crossed. Remote motion sensor camera on it's way so I will hopefully find out exactly where it's getting in.

Shirl

Doggle Avaddit · #64 (**permalink**) 28-10-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shirl

Thanks Jonathan

It really is an intelligent rat this one, I have put one live trap near the edge of the roof close to where I know it's living, covered with some insulation. The rat was being very cautious and spending it's time under the insulation at first. Recently it's venturing above the insulation (fresh droppings on the top) so I really am hoping it's getting used to it. It's already been in the loft about 6 weeks so I suspect there will be rather a mess under the insulation again. It's had some more of the buscuit trail this morning, so - fingers crossed. Remote motion sensor camera on it's way so I will hopefully find out exactly where it's getting in.

Shirl

I must say I greatly admire your tenacity and respect for this animal. I'm hoping for a successful eviction!

shirl · #65 (**permalink**) 29-10-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doggle Avaddit

I must say I greatly admire your tenacity and respect for this animal. I'm hoping for a successful eviction!

Me too! But the little so and so is still in there - more chocolate I think

nightshade · #66 (**permalink**) 29-10-2009, 06:09 PM

Shirl has it requested tea to go with its biscuits? It will soon be so big you will have to adopt it (isn't it clever though)

shirl · #67 (**permalink**) 29-10-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightshade

Shirl has it requested tea to go with its biscuits? It will soon be so big you will have to adopt it (isn't it clever though)

I reckon tea will be the next thing! Was a bit worried incase it does get in the cage during the night (I wish) and it was stuck there for hours.So I have put some bedding at the end of the cage with a few grapes which will hopefully keep it going until it's released into the wild where it should be.

Shirl

Garden Carpet · #68 (**permalink**) 30-10-2009, 06:57 PM

Hello all... just back from a few days in Henry's woods to the gallumping thump of Mr Rat upstairs... blasted creature!!!!

nightshade.. all good suggestions and I will have to have someone come in and check as I am not fit to do such things.

Cara Pace... I am a very lucky girl to have henrya around, bless him!

jaki

richnfamous · #69 (**permalink**) 30-10-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by julia.julibob

I seem to have rats in my greenhouse. Unfortunately we have a ditch and then the railway directly behind it.

One way to keep rats out is to find someone with ferrets and get a bag of used ferret bedding - straw and suchlike. You spread it around the perimeter of the place you want to protect and leave it there for a while - a week or so.

Ratty doesn't like ferrets and their ilk and the smell will keep him away.

If it's an indoor area you can take the bedding away after a while and the rats will still stay out - we can't smell it but their noses will get the whiff of ferret-shaped death...