Rat problem

PatriciaM

Help i just seen a rat the other day it wasn't inthe garden more to the side of the house think it went to neighbours but dont lnow where it came from what can i do to deter them. Is there plants that would deter them i heard mint has anyone any ideas?

Lyn

Rat poison in a tube with the ends almost blocked off would deter them, place close to the house wall, bury slightly in the ground., they track around the edges.

If there's one, there's more, don't give them a chance to breed, a pair of rats will become 2000 in a year.

PatriciaM

Thanks Lyn i'll try that!

pansyface

Make sure that food is unavailable to them. Keep rubbish bins closed and black bin bags kept inside a hard container.

Check that all drains and manhole covers are in good condition and not cracked or broken.

PatriciaM

Yeah we always keep area round bins clean & power hose regular thats why we are surprised & shocked to see one pass by. Thanks for advice pansyface it much appreciated

NorthernLass2

If you've seen one then there will be loads!  They breed at an alarming rate and are very enterprising.  

As others have said.  The only effective way to get rid of them is to kill them.    I prefer traps and cats.   But if you must you could use  poison:  properly placed so no other birds or mammals can get to it and specifically you need one that doesn't cause secondary poisoning.      Position as Lyn said above.    We use drain pipes in the farm buildings and put the bait inside that so nothing else can get to it.

janewt

bird feeders that have seeds on the ground attract them also.

 

Sunnygardner

yes bird feeders also bring mice and other vermin as well as do chickens rabbits etc good house keeping of these is key in these areas.Baited cage traps work well and bait stations but not for the faint hearted .if you have a big problem pest controllers are available,

Fairygirl

It also depends where you live and where the rats are coming from Patricia. Is there a property near you where the problem might originate, ie neglected or untidy? A friend of mine also had an issue a few years ago, and the problem came about because the council had cleared some nearby woodland, diverting the rat colony into a series of gardens, including hers. It may be worth contacting your council for some advice and a visit  

PatriciaM

Thanks for the advice everyone. I put down rat poison 4 days ago but it hasnt been touched yet. Bleached everything will contact local counsel tomorrow. Is here any plants used to keep them away if i get this one sorted?

Fairygirl

In a word - no