Need to 'rat-proof' a rainwater downpipe

evoke

I spotted a huge rat in my side alleway a couple of days ago. I've laid down trays of rat poison around the garden and side alleyway. I have nothing in the garden that a rat could eat so it's unlikely that it's there for food. It is probably nesting under my decking in the back garden.

However, I have a rainwater pipe attached to the side of my part-integral garage that goes into a hole in the ground which meets up with the rest of the rainwater ground pipework.

The downpipe diameter is narrower than the hole in the ground. I suspect the rat is using the gap to get into the ground pipework to drink water.

I stuffed the gap between the downpipe and the hole with an old rag but noticed this morning that the rag had been pulled away. It must have taken some force to do this as the rag was wedged in very tightly.

So, what is the best way to stop rats from entering the rainwater ground pipes via this gap?

27col

Screwed up chicken wire stuffed in the pipe.

mart.vader

evoke wrote: »

The downpipe diameter is narrower than the hole in the ground. I suspect the rat is using the gap to get into the ground pipework to drink water.

A piece of tin with a drain-pipe sized hole in it?

Fosterdog

Be careful with with the poison if you or your neighbours have any pets.

I recently had a rat problem caused by my bird feeder and we just moved their food source and blocked off their access points and they have gone, no need for poison (I couldn't risk it as I have lots of pets)

evoke

27col wrote: »

Screwed up chicken wire stuffed in the pipe.

This sounds like a good solution. Thanks!

Rikki

If your putting down poison you need to use a bait box. You may have cats coming in your garden at night and even birds that will eat the bait.

will-he-payitoff

27col wrote: »

Screwed up chicken wire stuffed in the pipe.

Id second that with some wire wool inside it as well