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Rats

scedwards60scedwards60 Posts: 2
in Problem solving
We have a large garden with an ongoing Rat problem and they like to eat the veggies I am trying to grow in my veg boxes. I have just planted shallot bulbs and they have been lifted and gnawed at by rodents . Last year they climbed my apple trees and took a bite out of each apple.
We don't see the rats very often but they are becoming an increasing problem .The house next door and behind have chickens which I know doesn't help.
This is a subject that never seems to get discussed.
Any suggestions would be welcome.
We have also just obtained an allotment and been told there is a 'Rat problem'
We cant be the only ones with this problem

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,695
    Rat traps or a good Jack Russell terrier.  Look out for any holes where they may be living.  I would rather use a trap that kills them dead than put down poison, because  poison could kill another animal feeding on the carcass.
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 3,861
    edited March 2020
    fidgetbones said:
    I would rather use a trap that kills them dead than put down poison, ...
    Interesting expression, @fidgetbones ;)
    You are invited to a virtual visit of my garden (in English or in French).
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,695
    Some people think of live catch traps  and then release them.  I tried humane mouse traps in the garage. They kept coming back.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    In the UK, I'm pretty sure it's illlegal to release vermin (eg rats & grey squirrels) after being caught in a 'humane' trap without a release licence (which aren't easy to obtain, but your local animal rescue centre or similar may hold one.)  Once trapped, the animal is deemed to be under human control and it becomes your personal responsibility to ensure it is 'despatched' without causing the creature pain or suffering.  You are also required by law to inspect the traps every few hours.  In practice, you will have to shoot them accurately in the head with an air rifle (if licenced) or by a clean blow to the back of their head.  Taking more than one shot/blow or using drowning to kill them constitutes animal cruelty and is punishable under law (fines can be in 4 figures.)
    To be legal and safe, good advice is to either call in the professionals or use a 'kill trap'.
    'Humane' vermin traps are more of a marketing gimmick than any kind of solution, IMHO.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,695
    Papi Jo.   I like the Domestos advert. Kills all known germs, dead.  Maybe overkill. Sufficient to just kill them , I know.
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 3,861
    "Overkill" indeed!
    You are invited to a virtual visit of my garden (in English or in French).
  • Jason-3Jason-3 Posts: 383
    If you have an infestation which it sounds like you. Traps won't cut it I'm afraid. You are going to need poison If your not competent on how to use it safely.
    Their is a knack to using the poison correctly how much, location and most of all protecting other animals. If you haven't used it before and have a big plot I'd get a professional in
  • scedwards60scedwards60 Posts: 2
    Thank You everyone for your response .
    I don't feel we have an infestation . We very rarely actually see a rat but we know they are there and they like nibbling on my veg plot .Maybe I need to just stop growing food .Or move house.

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