Rats in Garden

[flowerpower136]

That's just awful - about your friend's dog. She must be heart broken.

Easy with hindsight perhaps, but if poison is to be used it MUST be used with proprietory bait traps. The ones I've seen are a hard plastic box which is locked shut and can only be opened with a 'key' like device. You'd need a hack saw and a spare weekend to break into it.

Having gone through a winter of joint occupancy with rats, I wouldn't hestitate to use this sort of method. However, I would always bring in the Council expert to manage the process. Poison shouldn't be a DIY solution.

I was concerned about our dog (and foxes etc), however the dogs (ours and neighbours) didn't seem to be interested in the boxs. Perhaps it depends on the type of bait used? Our rat man was aware that we all had dogs, so perhaps he chose with that in mind? Don't know.

Previous to that experience, we tried humane mouse traps when we had mice in our loft. We used the plastic tunnel ones that tip when the mouse goes in and the little door supposedly slams down and clicks shut. However, it seemed very hit and miss. I spoke to the manufacturer about it and was told that they wouldn't always work with younger adolescent lightweight mice. They needed to be a certain weight to tip the box sharply enough for the door to catch shut. If not, the catch didn't click, and they could open the door and get out....... Didn't say that on the instructions And I'm sure the ones we liberated followed us back home.

In the end, the numbers defeated us. Just couldn't sleep with all that pattering going on. Had to resort to traditional mouse traps, and they eventually saw them off, so managed without poison in that instance.

So sorry for your friend.

[hobble]

I have witnessed Buzzards taking dead rats form my garden which had been killed by the cat, therefore would think twice about using poison.
I have seen ratty frequently lately and hope my cat keeps up the good work.
Although as she spends most of her time asleep and is getting older her rat catching days may be coming to an end.

[flowerpower136]

Goodness, they seem to be a real problem all over the place just now.
Can only stress, if you see them in the garden, don't just ignore them. Which is what I did, and the little ******s moved into the house.

Seems that cats might be the answer? ...... The dog will have a fit.

[Tracey.A]

Thank you Flowerpot, the poor dog had a very distressing death. She was such a lovely, good natured thing. My friend's method of getting rid of her mice was not thought out and was very DIY, but I don't think she will ever forgive herself for what happened. I agree if numbers of mice or rats are out of conrol, then seeking advice from the council is the best thing to do. I just worry about their poisoned bodies getting into the food chain. Sorry to hear about the problems you had, although I couldn't help smiling when you said that you suspected the liberated mice followed you back home I hope all is fine now.

Tracey