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Rats in the garden - help!

Sandra100Sandra100 Posts: 130
in Wildlife gardening
We've been feeding the birds for a while, and getting a nice range of smaller and larger ones.  We've had fat balls in bushes, plus a bird table and two squirrel proof feeders.
However just recently we noticed 3 rats in the garden - yuk!
We've abandoned the bird table and the fat balls, which they were feeding from, just sticking with the feeders on the pole for now.
So far that has done the trick and we've not seen them recently.
However I noticed in an old posting that some people have put wire around their bird tables, and I thought that might be effective against the rats.
Would anyone who has done that mind explaining how, and possibly post a photo?
Many thanks in advance!

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 14,616
    If birds are dropping seed, the rats will pick it up. You can stop them shinning up the pole with baffles .
    I suggest either a Jack Russell, or a rattrap.
    Google "big cheese ultra rat trap"
    You don't stop doing new things because you get old, you get old because you stop doing new things. <3
  • ju1i3ju1i3 Camden Town, LondonPosts: 189
    cats and foxes will deal with the rats

  • LynLyn DevonPosts: 16,481
    Unfortunately not Ju.  You need to get rid of them. They spread diseases. Put rats in the search box at the top for more information. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • LynLyn DevonPosts: 16,481
    I’m sure there are feral cats and urban foxes in these areas, 
    https://youtu.be/YJEXOzUuD80
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Green MagpieGreen Magpie Posts: 802
    Your local council will help (ours came out for free), although it would help if you knew where the rats are living.
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