Rat in my garden in broad daylight!

fifi35

Omg, I have just seen a rat running around in my garden. It was sticking mainly to the stone dry wall running in and out but it also ran across my lawn toward my kitchen window. When I banged on the window it ran back in the wall. The wall. Behind the wall is a farmers field.

The rat was quite big and light brown in colour.

I have bird feeders and the seeds fall to the ground. I also put apples on the lawn for the birds and hedgehogs.


Any advice on how to get rid of the rat? I'm worried its building a nest inside the wall.

Thanks

Fifi

peter_the_piper

Poison or traps.

fifi35

Yes, that will be my last resort. I have thrown my cat out and she actually saw it run inside the wall and sat for a while waiting for it but lost interest when it didn't reappear. Do you think she will catch it now she knows its there? I also thought rats were darker in colour. Maybe its a pet rat! Its certainly bold as brass!

System

If you live out in the country there will be loads of brown rats.

Leaving food out for birds and hedgehogs will attract them.

If you leave poison out you're going to kill more than just rats. It will literally be animal carnage!

rhiwfield

Where there is one rat there will be more. And they probably appreciate the food you leave out for the birds as you imply.

I think its a problem that you can manage but not eradicate.

Leif

fifi35 wrote: »

I have bird feeders and the seeds fall to the ground. I also put apples on the lawn for the birds and hedgehogs.


Any advice on how to get rid of the rat? I'm worried its building a nest inside the wall.

You can reduce the appeal to the rat by placing a tray below the feeder. Some feeders come with a suitable tray, or you can sometimes buy one. It won't stop all the seed falling to the ground, but it will reduce the amount. The downside is that you will get pigeons eating from the tray and the feeder, they are greedy beggers.

fifi35

Yes, thanks for the replies. I know there are rats around everywhere I just don't expect to see them strutting around in my garden in the daytime without a care in the world. I will get the rat catcher in and then be very careful with the bird and hedgehog food. I do not want to stop feeding the birds as they bring me such pleasure.

spacey2012

The rat will climb anything, even things hanging on a rope, the only option is to stop leaving food out for the rat and it will move on.

Leif

I don't think it will climb a metal pole, assuming the feeders are on poles. I used to get amusement from watching a squirrel climbing a meter up a pole, then slide down.

cinderfella

Best not to corner a rat as they will attack humans & children. Did you know that the Houses of Parliament are infested with vermin and that's in addition to the MP's & Lords there. As they say., 'birds of a feather flock together'.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1087422/Revealed-The-Houses-Parliament-really-infested-vermin.html

spacey2012

Leif wrote: »

I don't think it will climb a metal pole, assuming the feeders are on poles. I used to get amusement from watching a squirrel climbing a meter up a pole, then slide down.

Yes it will, it will climb anything that rises, it is a rat.
Unless something is applied to the pole, it will work it out.

Leaving any type of food out, attracts rats, end of story.