Burrow help

5hort5 · #1 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 06:39 PM

Hi,

I have had a burrow appear in my garden by the fence to the neighbours and would like to try and work out what it is before deciding what to do about it. The kids are very interested and thoughts from them have ranged from hedgehog to rat to yeti to otter to badger. It's worth noting there is a tiny stream about 100 yards and five gardens away and a main road on the other fence that backs onto open large scrub/field ground. I think it's too big for a mouse, or similar sized animal and I think a touch to small for a rabbit so any tips would be appreciated.

Many Thanks

Si

PS I have filled it in a couple of times in the last two nights but has come back overnight

watsthat · #2 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 06:53 PM

Mole possibly?

Jason Claxton · #3 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 06:56 PM

Hi looks similar to the work of rats ,we have had in the garden

Jason

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 07:52 PM

I would say Rat on size and general appearance. But to be honest alot of mammals do dig so it could be anything from a cat to a mouse.

5hort5 · #5 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 10:04 PM

Thanks for the help - I should know by the weekend as I plan to trap the thing and do something with it depending on what it is but what ever it is it will be away from the garden. I'm not a fan of killing things though (unless it's going to be food) so what are the laws around different possibilities such as I end up with a large live rat or some other mid sized burrowing animal? If it's the neighbours cat I may let it go I suppose

davecatt · #6 (**permalink**) 24-09-2009, 10:34 PM

hi
just a thought, you could try giving the bare earth in the area of the fence a good soaking with water then check for foot prints, if you get any post photos here, maybe someone will be able id them for you.

Dave

shirl · #7 (**permalink**) 25-09-2009, 06:56 PM

Looks like rat and they often re-excavate holes which are filled in, but it could be a smaller mammal and something else has picked up the scent and scrabbled around at the hole.

If you do decide to re-locate something like a rat, make sure you drive a good way from your house and also check there are no homes/farms etc where you intend to release it. No point just giving someone else the problem, took me ages to find a suitable place without any habitation / livestock.

Shirl

5hort5 · #8 (**permalink**) 25-09-2009, 08:06 PM

Thanks for the tips, the trap turned up from amazon today and is out and set so we shall see if I get anything.

I wasn't sure if you were allowed to let them go at all tbh and thought I may have no choice but to erm kill it. I have read a couple of things that say you do like on the defra site but I can't find anything conclusive

shirl · #9 (**permalink**) 26-09-2009, 10:16 AM

You might get lucky but don't be surprised if they don't go anywhere near the trap for a while. I am in the process of catching one in my loft, wedged the mammal trap door open and put food inside and just outside the trap, took 6 days for the rat to venture into it. They are very wary and extremely intelligent. Keep your eyes on the trap though so if it is caught it doesn't spend a long time without food or water.

Shirl