Getting rid of rats/mice (merged threads)

YorkiePud_3

QueenieB wrote: »

What sort of gun is he using? I'm not sure how the law deals with air rifles, but if he's discharging a shotgun near houses then he could find himself in serious trouble. Might be worth a mention...

That, I don't know .. all I know is it's a rifle and he said it was a high powered one with sights. It's certainly loud when it goes off. Am going out now to do a bit of work in the garden .. am just hoping he's not out and about.

[Deleted User]

If he is using an air rifle and you said he could shot into you garden then he is not breaking the law. I very much doubt it but if he is using a shotgun without a license then he is in big trouble and a nice long prison sentence, at least 5 years. I would suggest doing what dibuzz said. If not just let him get on with it and let him report you to the police and environmental health. There is nothing they can do.

jwil

Seriously - he is going to report you to the police for feeding the birds? How ridiculous.

Feeding the birds is the biggest cause of rats in this country as there is plenty of food lying around for them. It sounds like you've done your best to minimise the risk, but he's being an idiot letting food lie around on his lawn and then complaining about the rats.

I'd be more inclined to report him to environmental health as he's encouraging them (and the police for the shooting).

The only way you are going to get rid of the rats is to stop feeding them, as long as there is food around, they will keep coming. Are the other neighbours friendly? Could you have a chat with them about not leaving food on the lawn?

bambibashercol

The law makes no distinction between air guns and firearms, The change in the law also means that the rifle has to be in a locked approved gun safe, As you have informed the neighbour That you do not wish him firing on your land, The neighbour is breaking the law. He should also have insurance when shooting on your land. I would give https://www.basc.org.uk a call and ask to speak to there firearms advice section, This will give you facts that can be passed on to your neighbour before it esculates to calling the police.

YorkiePud_3

[quote=[Deleted User];46558121]If he is using an air rifle and you said he could shot into you garden then he is not breaking the law. I very much doubt it but if he is using a shotgun without a license then he is in big trouble and a nice long prison sentence, at least 5 years. I would suggest doing what dibuzz said. If not just let him get on with it and let him report you to the police and environmental health. There is nothing they can do.[/QUOTE]

I did say he could, but after seeing what a mess I had to clean up (all the blood etc) I went round and said I hadn't realised what a mess there'd be and didn't think I could keep cleaning that up so I asked him not to shoot in my garden which he was a bit icky about then, but said okay and agreed not to.

YorkiePud_3

jwil wrote: »

Seriously - he is going to report you to the police for feeding the birds? How ridiculous.

Feeding the birds is the biggest cause of rats in this country as there is plenty of food lying around for them. It sounds like you've done your best to minimise the risk, but he's being an idiot letting food lie around on his lawn and then complaining about the rats.

I'd be more inclined to report him to environmental health as he's encouraging them (and the police for the shooting).

The only way you are going to get rid of the rats is to stop feeding them, as long as there is food around, they will keep coming. Are the other neighbours friendly? Could you have a chat with them about not leaving food on the lawn?

I couldn't believe it, either!
As I say, I think I have put his nose out of joint by asking him not to shoot into mine ... he did say he was having a "great time" doing it.

I can understand some people being mad with folk who put lots of food out for the birds and don't clean up anything left behind, but as I have pets who go out into the garden too, I am absolutely on top of that and sweep up anything (maybe half a scoop a day, if that) ...

The other neighbours aren't too open to being spoken to though ... one in particular started putting even more bread out all over her lawn when someone mentioned that may be why she was getting rats, so it's a bit of a Catch 22 ... whew, what a nightmare ... !!

YorkiePud_3

bambibashercol wrote: »

The law makes no distinction between air guns and firearms, The change in the law also means that the rifle has to be in a locked approved gun safe, As you have informed the neighbour That you do not wish him firing on your land, The neighbour is breaking the law. He should also have insurance when shooting on your land. I would give www.basc.org.uk a call and ask to speak to there firearms advice section, This will give you facts that can be passed on to your neighbour before it esculates to calling the police.

Thank you so much for that ... I think I will give them a bell tomorrow. I don't want any trouble so to glean some info that may nip it in the bud may be the way to go ... am considering phoning Environmental Health myself to see where I stand, too.

27col

There's nowt so weird as neighbours.

shegar

YorkiePud wrote: »

Thank you so much for that ... I think I will give them a bell tomorrow. I don't want any trouble so to glean some info that may nip it in the bud may be the way to go ... am considering phoning Environmental Health myself to see where I stand, too.

While it may seem a good idea to report him to the police you may then open yourself up to a lot of trouble from him in the future, its better to get on with the neighbours than falling out, and to me he sounds as if he could be quite a problem if you fall out over the rats........Why cant you let him carry on shooting the rats in your garden providing he comes round and clears them away.........He is not going to be doing this for ever is he?..once all the rats have been shot end of problem, and you all live peacefully..........

Enterprise_1701C

Does he REALLY put chicken carcases out for the birds? That is an invitation to rats, it rots so quickly especially at this time of year. Might be an idea if you were the one reporting him to environmental health, might be a good idea anyway to get it all sorted out.