Rats in my garden - I'd like to relocate them, but...

[Leclerc]

Morning,
We've got guinea-pigs and Rabbits in 3 hutches in the garden, and one or more rat(s?) have been burrowing under the hutches and tucking in to the food bowl contents (I've seen one in action - very well fed it looked too!). I've now moved the hutches onto boards so the visitors can't get in any more, but they continue to dig into the runs on the lawn. I've seen where it/they live - a lovely burrow cultivated under the large animal feed bin. They don't seem to bother the pets at all, but I'd like to re-locate them because if my neighbours spot them they'll be chucking poison everywhere, so I've bought a cage-type trap, and my plan is to catch them and let them go over the other side of the fields opposite our house. Only thing is I'm worried they may have babies in their nest, and that they'll starve if the parents are moved. Does anyone know if rats breed at a specific time?
Thanks.

[Dogghound]

Im afraid rats will breed all year round, however they increase their breeding rate during the warmer months. Also if your relocating them you will have to tke them further away that your back field or they will soon return.

[shei111]

Originally Posted by Leclerc

Morning,
We've got guinea-pigs and Rabbits in 3 hutches in the garden, and one or more rat(s?) have been burrowing under the hutches and tucking in to the food bowl contents (I've seen one in action - very well fed it looked too!). I've now moved the hutches onto boards so the visitors can't get in any more, but they continue to dig into the runs on the lawn. I've seen where it/they live - a lovely burrow cultivated under the large animal feed bin. They don't seem to bother the pets at all, but I'd like to re-locate them because if my neighbours spot them they'll be chucking poison everywhere, so I've bought a cage-type trap, and my plan is to catch them and let them go over the other side of the fields opposite our house. Only thing is I'm worried they may have babies in their nest, and that they'll starve if the parents are moved. Does anyone know if rats breed at a specific time?
Thanks.

Hello Get rid of them fast ,12 bore best if not poison them away from other animals they are rodents not pets beings you have so much food about thats why they havent killed your Rabbits and guinea pigs yet dont give them the chance,I think the best re location site would be dead in the bin You may think im harsh well yes I am with rats concerned dirty rodents. sheila

[JP]

Remove their food and they will come less frequently, Put food stores in metal bins and clear up spillages, also feed the animals you have then remove un eaten food, this will remove the temptation for them to come around, Failing that ill pop over with my terriers.
Id shy away from poison i hate the stuff, as theres a risk of it getting into the food chain, ive grabbed one of my terriers before now only to see a little tail being swallowed! god forbid if one of the things they get their gnashers into has had a belly full of poison! As has been said they will breed most of the year now if you remove the ones you have and keep putting the food down they or others will return.

[demicav]

Originally Posted by JP

Remove their food and they will come less frequently, Put food stores in metal bins and clear up spillages, also feed the animals you have then remove un eaten food, this will remove the temptation for them to come around, Failing that ill pop over with my terriers.
Id shy away from poison i hate the stuff, as theres a risk of it getting into the food chain, ive grabbed one of my terriers before now only to see a little tail being swallowed! god forbid if one of the things they get their gnashers into has had a belly full of poison! As has been said they will breed most of the year now if you remove the ones you have and keep putting the food down they or others will return.

I agree, if you can avoid poison please do. It runs the risk of getting into the food chain and affecting other animals. I know Rats are not fondly thought of by the majority but they are living creatures just trying to survive. I would do as suggested. Sweep up food and debris regularly, clean the area and keep food covered. Maybe move the Guines pigs and Rabbits into a shed for a little while as if the Rats are getting into the hutch it's likely there will always be something tempting lying around, even the pets themselves .