Rat problem - advice? - Page 2

bobkerry · #11 (**permalink**) 07-08-2010, 10:52 PM

hey hello friends...i am new to this forum and find this forum interesting...the information provided is really informative for me..
i want to learn here more and more and will try my best to give my best
thanks alot

Dorts · #12 (**permalink**) 07-08-2010, 11:25 PM

I have Light Sussex hens, total free range. I scatter food for them in the morning after which they fend for themselves. If there is any left after they have wandered off, all hell breaks loose.
Magpies, Jackdaws, Rooks Ravens, Squirrels, Mice, Rabbits and Rats all fighting over the scraps, oh, and a Robin or two.

I have tried the 'Little Nipper' rat trap, but they just walk of with it and it gets lost in the undergrowth. Very expensive control method.
Rat poison is the only way. I use it sparingly over a period of about a week in an area where little else can get to it. And it works. But sure enough, after a month or so they are back. So you have to start over again.
Thats life on the farm.
Dorts.

m1.carson · #13 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 06:43 AM

Hi,

Same as, we had rats, the only thing that got rid of them were Rentokil rat traps, they're very easy to set unlike the little nipper types [ouch] baited with peanut butter or chocolate.

We tried humane and they were a complete waste of time, catch rate was low and then got lower, it seems you're very lucky in that they haven't tried to get in the house yet, ours did, we had to block every orifice with sheet aluminium cut to surround the entry and no nailed it to the wall, including the ones from the central heating boiler that enter into our loft, they climb pipes with ease.

Max.

nightshade · #14 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 11:32 AM

Rats don't like regular human activity, Cats, Dogs, and changes in their territory. I like the peppermint oil idea by the way. In my garden I make sure to look in corners and anywhere that is peaceful and quiet and just move stuff around on a regular basis they do not like it.
Under buildings is more difficult, if you are any good at DIY why not make a windmill to drive a looped belt carrying a rattle and a rag with peppermint oil
from one end to the other

or just drag a scrapper from one end to the other But a good free range terrier is probably best.

Memorylanejim · #15 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 11:48 AM

Whilst I can understand you not wanting to hurt these animals, you must think of your enviroment and any close neighbours. If the rats spread ...and they will... you will have the local pest control officer camping on your doorstep and in most cases charging you for his company. As said above find a local with a good terrier, they despatch rats fast and painlessly, mine did for 10 in 7 seconds! and they were no small fry either. Cats as a general rule will not take a full grown rat I find.
Good luck.

stevecurtis · #16 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 11:49 AM

To be very honest and its not what most of us like to hear but in my opinion the only way is poison, when I tried to trap and shoot the rats around my chickens it was a constant time consuming battle that I never seemed to win, now when I move my hens to the greenhouses for the winter I poison the rats and the same when I move them back in the spring, job done.

all the best Steve

hairdye · #17 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 02:41 PM

I know you wont like the answer but you need to sort this out quick with poison .......poison is a very effective way and sometimes the only way .
There have been a few replies on here to help you out, but there is also the disease they carry . My friends friend died with coming into contact with rat urine!!!, we used to carry out ratting with birds of prey and ferrets which is also a good and effective way but you have far too many to do this or would take too long.
While you get the problem sorted please ensure that you put your own health first.
Cheers

STYRBJORN · #18 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 06:37 PM

Shoot 'em. Or find a pest control guy who will. A .22 airgun pellet to the head is about as humane as it gets. Cost you more than poisoning but it's quick and clean.

Ric

WILDRESCUE-LIN · #19 (**permalink**) 26-08-2010, 11:26 AM

Thanks for all your comments / advise.

I was feeding my hens regularly in the mornings (and afternoon) and as they were leaving the corn in the mornings to wander off, the rats would come out and help themselves.
I got ill and was unable to go feed them in the mornings for about a week and just fed them their afternoon feed.
At the same time I put a humane trap to catch live rats and caught 15 (so far) all very young babies. Also, I was only seeing the odd 4 or 5 (not the 30 I had seen before) so I guess by making sure my hens ate all the food there is now none or the odd crumbs left for the rats.

My hens are old now and my intention is that when they are all gone, I will make the enclosure 'rat-proof' and leave it a few months before I get more rescue hens.
Also, the rabbits are only fed what they can eat, there is never any food left for the rats.
I suppose we live and learn!!
Once again, thanks for the advise x