Hole under decking

aigo

Hi there

I went out in my garden today for the first time in a while due to the cold and under our decking next to the house, there is a reasonably size hole which looks like something has dug under there. It is about 1.5 - 2.5 inches height and fairly wide.

I am really hoping this is not rats due to being absolutely petrified of them. Does anyone have any idea what it could be? And how to go about removing and stopping it.

Thanks

phil24_7

Moles? Rat runs are usually tight to walls etc.

Gloomendoom

I'm not convinced. We had a couple of similar size holes in a rockery area of our garden. They were definitely rats as the cat got two of them. If there were any more, they cleared off after that.

I have never seen a mole leave an open hole.

aigo

I.imgur.com/1UCiBs3.jpg
Thanks for your replies, please find an image.

amersall

http://i.imgur.com/1UCiBs3.jpg

Have not got a clue lol but this is the pic.

Davesnave

aigo wrote: »

I am really hoping this is not rats due to being absolutely petrified of them. Does anyone have any idea what it could be? And how to go about removing and stopping it.

Could well be rats, as you've provided a very nice, safe home for them there!

You could do what I do under my chicken houses and make sure there's room for a predatory animal like a cat to get in, because trying to bung up the hole and creating other obstacles is doomed to failure.

PasturesNew

Whenever I see the word decking I instantly think "rats". I'd never have it by choice.

That's a ratty sized hole all right.

Only way to know is one of three options:

1] Take up the decking to look.
2] Make a gazillion sandwiches and some flasks of drink and sit and watch non-stop until you see one coming/going, they don't just work at night, I've had them in my garden early mornings and early evenings
3] Rig up a motion-detector camera to snap anything that moves.

dbriggs

Rat traps. Poison. Pellet gun. Cat. Take your pick...

Silver-Surfer_2

prosaver

usually rats hang around where there's food,have you any pets, bird tables? ..neighbours have any?

aigo

Thanks for your replies.

The decking was down when we bought the house, it wouldn't be our first choice either!

We don't have any food hanging around, the only thing we have outside is a compost box but this is closed and I don't think they could get into there.

I think I will try setting up a motion camera and see what I can find. As long as they don't find their way into the house, I can cope but I won't be stepping outside!