We have trouble with rats living in the compost heap and under the stand of bamboo.
Council rat man put down poison, but they are still there.
They have gnawed holes in the fence in 7 places and we can hear them mewling away all day and into the evening.
Once I use the compost that will be one place sorted(for a bit), but the main nest is right under the bamboo, which is 28 feet long by 6 feet deep, and very dense.
Any ideas folks?
I would get the man from the Council back again delboy. He will know what he used last time and will perhaps try a different poison.
Keep putting down poison till they're all gone. It can take a while as the chances are you'll be feeding all the rats in the neighbourhood.
Find out who the local rat pack are and get them down there with there Jack Russels. If you know anyone at all with a terrier that is the best and quickest way of getting rid. :)
I agree with joji a jack russel fearless they are or a good cat will get them.
Years ago I was on first name terms with council rat man and still had the rats then I went to B&Q bought rat poison and left a dish in the greenhouse and went in one day to see one I thought was asleep scared me to death but it was dead just went to sleep on a pot plant.
I keept putting the stuff down till no more was eaten so the others must have passed away in the nests. Nice painless way to go this stuff was stronger then the council one me thinks.
That's the way to do it if you don't have terriers; keep putting the stuff down till there's nothing left to take it.
What if you don't know where they're nesting?
I don't know where mine nest, but every winter they're there, in the shed and round the beehives. So that's where the bait goes. I'm now thinking of leaving it out in the shed all the year round, so they don't get a chance to build up over summer.
A Jack russel has a keen nose for a rat.
It will sniff them out and let you know where the nest is.
Most even try to dig them out so ask a mate if you haven't a dog to sniff out the nests that is where you put the poison. :)
I have just looked at my compost heap to discover quite a large hole in the heap and there is quite a clear "chamber" inside created by some animal.
Is this a rat or a hedgehog or which other animal?
(http://burgundy-breaks.tripod.com/rat.JPG)
If theres droppings any where near it that are the size of about 1 cm long it will be a rat hole. :)
Could be all sorts of small rodents. What diameter is it?
If you've already put poison down I wouldn't let any dog of mine nearby. They pick up a dead rat that has been poisoned they'll be poisoned themselves. Atleast £100 at the vet for antidote and you've got to be quick.
Eradirat has worked for me. Drys the rat out. No stink and not poisoness to other animals. Leave little parcels of it wrapped in clingfilm where you know they run until no more are picked up...then you've got your rat. Make sure there are no other food sources or the rats won't take any bait however tastey.If you use traps make sure they don't smell new. Same goes for a rat box. Rats smell newness a mile off and won't go near. Bury them in the compost to get the smell of the compost on them.
Hadn't thought of the "newness" thingy.
As the varmints are brighter than my dog, that makes a lot of sense.
Thanks for that