Blooming council did not want to know when I reported a dead rat in my back garden !

milliemonster

We used to keep chickens and one of our neighbours had a rat in his roofspace and called environmental health out claiming our chickens (and their food) were attracting them.

They came to see us and said it wasn't our chickens but the neighbour wasnt helping as he left fruits and nuts out for the birds everyday and you have to accept that this will attract rats aswell.

You are never more than a few feet away from a rat, they are everywhere, we are surrounded by fields so of course there will be rodents, but as long as there aren't any coming into the house and there doesn't appear to be an infestation then I don't see it as a problem

Mr.Generous

I get an ant problem every year, I haven't actually rung the council I just deal with it.

I did find a huge (sabre toothed) dead rat once, the opportunity to place it on someone elses property overcame my reluctance to deal with it. The outcome was so amusing tears of laughter have been shed when the tale is told.

100 uses for a dead rat could be a good book.

Mchambers

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Tie it up in a plastic bag or a food box and put it in the freezer until bin day..

No way am I am putting it in my freezer !!! U are not serious r u ????

It is in my dustbin and I do/t care if it causes a stench. Blame the council not me !!

macman

It's already been explained to you that it's not the responsibility of the council. One dead rat does not constitute a public health risk, and it's on private property-yours.
BTW, CT is not a tax on services, it's a property tax.

George_Michael

macman wrote: »

BTW, CT is not a tax on services, it's a property tax.

It may well be a tax on the value of a property but its main purpose is to fund local services.

hollydays

milliemonster wrote: »

We used to keep chickens and one of our neighbours had a rat in his roofspace and called environmental health out claiming our chickens (and their food) were attracting them.

They came to see us and said it wasn't our chickens but the neighbour wasnt helping as he left fruits and nuts out for the birds everyday and you have to accept that this will attract rats aswell.

You are never more than a few feet away from a rat, they are everywhere, we are surrounded by fields so of course there will be rodents, but as long as there aren't any coming into the house and there doesn't appear to be an infestation then I don't see it as a problem

Fair comment ,but when I've kept chickens I found it does attract rats.

Mr.Generous

We used to get rats in the back garden, they became quite confident and would scuttle about even if you were there. One evening I borrowed an air rifle and sat in a plastic chair and waited.

Birds were constantly rustling in the trees above me but no rats. Until I looked up. A rat was peering down at me from up the tree. They were climbing from the fence onto the two apple trees and gnawing on the fruit. I was so surprised I didn't even raise the gun.

I cut down and got rid of the two trees, apples and rats or neither?

LadyDee

I live in a very 'countrified' area - the occasional dead bird or rat in my garden has always disappeared within hours (thank goodness). The foxes take care of night-time casualties, and the crows and kites take care of anything the foxes leave behind.

For those who reach immediately for the poison think of the wildlife that depends on other dead creatures for their food. Even in the towns there are likely to be foxes close by and if your gardens are accessible to them and they are likely to 'clean up' then please do give them a chance.

elsien

angryparcel wrote: »

but when it is front of the home of elderly residents that can slip then it is a danger and safety risk

I don't think being older as a rule removes the ability to spot hazards and walk round them.

macman

George_Michael wrote: »

It may well be a tax on the value of a property but its main purpose is to fund local services.

Yes, but CT funds only 22% of local government expenditure. 61% comes from central government, and 17% from business rates.
Local services do not generally cover pest control on private property.