Keeping rats out of yard.

VoucherMan

Another rat question - this seems to be the main forum for them.

Until recently I'd been been putting bird food out on a table, but after starting to get regular visits from a couple of pigeons I decided to start using a ground feeding station - covered with a wire 'cage'. It's big enough for blackbirds and starlings but not the pigeons.

All was fine until a couple of days ago when I spotted a rat. When I opened the back door it ran off under the gate. I've now fitted a metal strip to the bottom of the gate and haven't seen the rat since.

Since my back yard is fully enclosed by stone walls except for the gate I'm hoping this was it's only way of getting in. Obviously if the rat does return I'll have to stop putting bird food out - or at least put it back on the bird table (and have the pigeons back!).

Other threads on rat problems usually seem to recommend calling the council rat catcher and/or putting out poison but I'm not inclined to do either. We're surrounded by rats anyway - all be it at a safe distance. If I've put up a good barrier then the rat won't get in. If it does then the bird food goes & the rat won't come back as there's no more food.


Any views / thoughts on the matter. It's my first encounter with rats (that I'm aware of) and I don't want a repeat.

Lotus-eater

The only thing I would say, is that if they want to get in they will. Stone walls and wooden gates won't keep them out, they can go straight over those.
Keep putting food out and keep getting them.

Or buy a rat proof bird feeder, if there is such a thing that works.

ukbill69

Simple solution get rid of the food source and then rates will go, keep the food source and you might find they will next in your yard or in your walls etc. You can get blocks of rat poision that keeps them at bay, but real solution is get rid of all food.

Mankysteve

Buy a birdtables that's pigeon proof.