How to make a rodent proof perimeter around van?

GervisLooper

I am thinking they are most likely living in two sizable rotting brash piles over that side as there is not much else for them to live in otherwise. I don't doubt that they could live on the ground floor and have indeed seen field voles running about in the grass in the day but it seems the brash piles would be a ripe den for them?

What are the rules about burning them? I tried moving some recently to use for wood mass for paths but it was so difficult to separate all the intertwined small branches I soon gave up. It also doesn't help that there is some metal fencing all tangled up in there too.

I had little enthusiasm for laying the paths so I might be able to muster more motivation to clear it by hand with a more important goal of rodent control. I am a bit worried of what I may find once I reach deeper in the piles though! I hope anything would just scurry off though.

LightFlare

 Buy a cat or snake - they will help

TheGreenFrog

Rats love wood piles:  burn if you can or clear.  They hate disturbance:  I have three terriers and no rats.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

GervisLooper said:

What are the rules about burning them? 

I believe you can burn it (unless you are in NI where IIRC bonfires have been banned) but it may be home to a whole host of animals including reptiles, amphibians, other small mammals as well fungi and a huge variety of insects. 

You was asking the other day about the ethics of using plastic in the ground, similar vibe in that providing a bit of biodiversity enhancement is certainly positive  

I don't know how many rats/mice we are talking but I would stick out traps, cull their numbers, I've heard these work well

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313958536899

Although no first hand experience and might be worth looking for something better quality than that one.

GervisLooper

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

GervisLooper said:

What are the rules about burning them? 

I believe you can burn it (unless you are in NI where IIRC bonfires have been banned) but it may be home to a whole host of animals including reptiles, amphibians, other small mammals as well fungi and a huge variety of insects. 

You was asking the other day about the ethics of using plastic in the ground, similar vibe in that providing a bit of biodiversity enhancement is certainly positive  

I don't know how many rats/mice we are talking but I would stick out traps, cull their numbers, I've heard these work well

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313958536899

Although no first hand experience and might be worth looking for something better quality than that one.

Well the traps would also apply that you might catch none pests.

I am thinking with a concerted effort I would get through it by hand eventually. Just concerned about actually coming across the beasties!

The brash could be placed to make dead hedging and then wildlife can relocate to the perimeter.

GervisLooper

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

GervisLooper said:

What are the rules about burning them? 

I believe you can burn it (unless you are in NI where IIRC bonfires have been banned) but it may be home to a whole host of animals including reptiles, amphibians, other small mammals as well fungi and a huge variety of insects. 

You was asking the other day about the ethics of using plastic in the ground, similar vibe in that providing a bit of biodiversity enhancement is certainly positive  

I don't know how many rats/mice we are talking but I would stick out traps, cull their numbers, I've heard these work well

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313958536899

Although no first hand experience and might be worth looking for something better quality than that one.

I looked at it again yesterday and it really is rather large and unwieldy to do manually so burning would be much better.

If hedgehogs happen to be in there would they come out on their own if a fire is started from one side? Or would they not wake up due to hibernation? Better to wait until spring? I am sure ideally it would be but depends how bad the rodent issue would be when over there.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

GervisLooper said:

If hedgehogs happen to be in there would they come out on their own if a fire is started from one side? Or would they not wake up due to hibernation?

Google says they aren't likely to wake up if hibernating

https://littlesilverhedgehog.com/2018/10/31/hedgehogs-and-bonfires/

This says they are in the bottom 2 feet and can dig into the ground. 

However the mice are far more like to escape and when they don't have a cosy pile of brash to live in where will they set up home? 

GervisLooper said:

Well the traps would also apply that you might catch none pests.

Yes indeed, I don't think there is a fail safe way of doing it but the bucket traps are supposed to be very good, if you cull their numbers you should have minimal problems going forward.

GervisLooper

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

GervisLooper said:

If hedgehogs happen to be in there would they come out on their own if a fire is started from one side? Or would they not wake up due to hibernation?

Google says they aren't likely to wake up if hibernating

https://littlesilverhedgehog.com/2018/10/31/hedgehogs-and-bonfires/

This says they are in the bottom 2 feet and can dig into the ground. 

However the mice are far more like to escape and when they don't have a cosy pile of brash to live in where will they set up home? 

GervisLooper said:

Well the traps would also apply that you might catch none pests.

Yes indeed, I don't think there is a fail safe way of doing it but the bucket traps are supposed to be very good, if you cull their numbers you should have minimal problems going forward.

That is what I am thinking, that there is always a chance to kill something. When driving we sometimes run over a frog or a hedgehog and when harvesting food small creatures will get killed by the machines.

In this sense it seems might as well just get on and burn it?

Working_Mum

Hedgehogs numbers are seriously down in the UK please don't do anything which may take their numbers down even further.

There must be another way.

Grenage

poppellerant said:

Divert their attention to something more appetising.  Such as a bucket of water with a trap on top, baited with peanut butter.

If the land is public, I'm not sure on the legality of putting down any sort of trap.  If it's private, it will need the land owner's permission.