Rats!!!!! Help!

angelavdavis

Well, I have just had a giggle watching BBC news tonight over the short-sighted views of the Government to force everyone down the recycling route.... I have no problem with recycling - have been a huge fan for years before it became trendy with the Government! Recycle plastic/bottles/cans and compost shredded paper. I also have four compost heaps and a wormery - never an issue. That was until I got a green cone.

This forcing everyone to compost cooked kitchen scraps is stupid - the refuse collection money will end up being spent on rat killing!

By the way, when I complained to the council about the fact that my council-backed green cone that was supposed to be rodent proof was infested - I was initially accused of installing it incorrectly and then when confirming the circumstances of the installation, they actually took some interest because "they are open to suggestions!"

By the way, when Mum phoned the council about the rats we were told it was our problem!

absfabs

We were lucky that the council did clear up our rat infestation a few years back.

Despite having 2 cats (and next door neighbours had 5!) we were overrun with rats. Cats were bringing in several little ones a day - :eek: :eek:
but couldn't keep up!

When we heard the rats running around in the loft and another one actually tunnelled its way along the waste pipe from the garden into built in kitchen cupboard, we called on the council.

2 visits from them with strategically place poison and it cleared up the rat population. 2 years later and they haven't come back.

Appearently the neighbours little fishpond was the magnet: they nested under the liner and actually jumped into the water after the fishfood!!!

For us, the professional approach from the council worked, it was free then but I would be willing to pay if I was in the same situation again.

Running_man

Take a look round your garden rats move along the same pathways.Soil will be flattened or grass looks walked on.
These are normally alongside fences sheds etc.
Piece of drainage pipe about 4 foot long place poison in middle of pipe so no other animal can get it.
Place pipe where rats are running.Do not block end of pipe or rats will not enter.
Check pipe daily keep topping up until food not being taken.
Hope this helps

Debt_Free_Chick

You will never get rid of rats - all you can hope to do is to keep the numbers down.

To the rats, you are the local McDonalds and the food is free - you're providing them with food and possibly shelter for them to build a nest.

I'd call out Environmental Health, from your local Council. They will carry out one treatment, almost certainly for free. However, they may not revisit for free, but it's worth one visit as they will also give you advice about how to deter them.

How are the rats getting to the chicken feed? Is the area not fenced off e.g. with chicken wire?

ScorpioLady_2

Many, many thanks for all your replies.
I've realised they are burrowing under the chicken house and getting at the food in that way. Now I'm trying to think of a way to put a 'floor' on the chicken house!!
However, all your replies have made me realise how prevalent they are and just because I hadn't seen them before didn't mean they weren't there!!
I shall be taking their access to MacDonalds away as soon as possible!!
Thanks everyone.

absfabs

They can work their way through concrete, as in our kitchen. At the time OH layed tiles on top of concrete floor.

don't know if this is the best solution, just one that worked for us. Of course we had gotten rid of the rats as well, see earlier post.

beer2006

ScorpioLady wrote: »

Many, many thanks for all your replies.
I've realised they are burrowing under the chicken house and getting at the food in that way. Now I'm trying to think of a way to put a 'floor' on the chicken house!!
However, all your replies have made me realise how prevalent they are and just because I hadn't seen them before didn't mean they weren't there!!
I shall be taking their access to MacDonalds away as soon as possible!!
Thanks everyone.

Idealy, depends how big your chicken house is, but it should be off the floor. I've found if I have a house on or close to the ground it always gets rats under it. I try to make sure that all the food is not splilled on the ground and I if anything keep the chickens on the lean side of hungry and only just give them enough food, so there is not any left over.

Oh and if you think rats have been where you are..... wear gloves when touching anything and wash your hands properly!