Could I have a Rat problem?

Roxsannemasters1

I need help guys , I’ve never had a big garden before an this morning noticed this small burrow, wouldn’t worry me but it’s right under where the bins sit an also had drainage issues around this area too so after lots of googling im now worried a
its a Rat burrow, they are digging up an building house right at back of us too, anyone had this issue an think this does look likely to be a rat or rats 😭

Allotment Boy

Difficult to tell but that's a big hole for a rat. Where are you located are you rural, suburban etc.

AnniD

I will be honest,  I'm not 100% sure, but from what you've said it certainly sounds like rats.
I know there are people on this forum who have had, or who are dealing with rats, hopefully they can confirm and advise .

Roxsannemasters1

It looks a little bigger in this pic I have another that shows it smaller, I live in a little village but on a main road close to motorway so not that rural but they have been digging up grounds in the back to build new houses il post another pic it looks a little smaller, I’m probably getting myself up to ninety about nothing it’s just not something I’ve ever dealt with before. 

Roxsannemasters1

AnniD

Just wondered, do you feed the birds ? I know they can be a nuisance around feeders and bird tables. 

Roxsannemasters1

I don’t Anni but my neighbours do. 

Topbird

Sorry to say but, according to our local pest control man, it's been a bad year for rats. Mild winter, lots of water - nothing to stop them breeding. The disturbed land near you could well be a source.

A lot of my neighbours have been here for 20 plus years and none of us have ever had a rat 'problem' apart from the occasional garden visitor (it's very rural with lots of fields, bush cover, old barns etc for them to go to). But in the last few weeks we've all had the rats move in. It's either because some very overgrown land was cleared recently as part of a house renovation or (more likely) because a huge muck heap was recently cleared at a filthy, unkempt stables up the road.

We've all got poison and traps down and, hopefully, once people start moving around in their gardens the rats will move out again.

I would contact a pest control (wo)man. If, however, you decide to use poison yourself be aware that you are legally required to put it in strong, properly locked bait boxes so non-target species / inquisitive children can't gain access.

Smudgerii

It’s rats, probably hundreds of them.  Sell up and move is the only solution!

or you could just use a homemade rat eliminator.

mix equal amounts of peanut butter, cocoa powder, bicarb of soda into a paste ( may need a little water ).  Roll into small balls and leave in areas you know the rats are visiting.

Please don’t use poison, not only will other wildlife find it but the poisoned carcass gets eaten by other wildlife which in turn is poisoned.

valerieroberts

Is it the bicarbonate of soda that kill or deter them?

Dovefromabove

Properly formulated rat poison in properly locked bait boxes will not be taken by cats, rabbits, pets etc ... it is much the safest and most humane way to deal with them.  I buy the poison (and the boxes) from an online agricultural supplier.  

What's to stop the peanut butter concoction being eaten by other small mammals?  The the way it is supposed to work is that it causes the rat's intestines to fill with gas, cause a blockage and 'explode' ......... how cruel ... no animals, not even rats, deserve that!