Getting rid of a rat in our shed

Dustyevsky

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899991#Comment_81899991

Well, yes, especially at the point where there's no shed!

Top Tip: If erecting a new shed, cover the underside of the floor with heavy weld mesh (not chicken wire) to prevent rodents gnawing upwards through the floor.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81900012#Comment_81900012

They may choose to find a new abode, perhaps inside your abode OP.

Destroying their home is likely to make them move to the nearest suitable alternative - that may be your house.

bjorn_toby_wilde

They may well be under, rather than in the shed. They do like to dig. You’ll find out when the old one is removed.

twopenny

I'd agree with Wiawsnb, rats don't like strong smells. Paint something like jeyes fluid on the floor and spray the same under.

Anything still there when the shed goes will be long gone with smell, noise and disturbance.

Then take Dusty's advice on the new one.

ButterCheese

Couldn't agree more with the above comments.

At the same time, ensure your house does not have anywhere they can get in. Stuff wire wool in any gaps/holes. They will gnaw through anything that's not metal. Perhaps even set some traps around your house (if you don't have pets). They really don't need saving. You wouldn't get rid of fleas humanely so why extend that to rats who are responsible for thousands of human and animal deaths a year from their disese spreading activities?

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81900136#Comment_81900136

I'd agree with Wiawsnb, rats don't like strong smells. Paint something like jeyes fluid on the floor and spray the same under.

Back when it was still allowed we would dose the chicken sheds with creosote annually… far more pungent than Jeyes… it had no noticeable effect on the rats. Also worth noting that the Jeyes Fluid on sale now is not the substance it used to be.

It will be the disturbance which moves them on, unless they are killed first.

I also agree with Dustyevsky's comments…. the only way to stop them getting in is to make it impossible for them to gnaw their way through.

Giraffe76

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899991#Comment_81899991

Thanks. I did read somewhere that if you make lots of noise and/or leave heavy bass music in with the rat it won't like it and will leave

Giraffe76

I did find a solution online using high strength chillies that they hate which i sprayed inside the shed and thought that would force it away but it didn't work.

I can confirm there's several holes in one of the bottom panels of the shed where a rat could get in/out.

I have a fair idea where the rat is in the shed but am cautious when in the shed

My wife has said that she doesn't want the rat killed so might call in a pest controller as a few people have suggested

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81900443#Comment_81900443

My wife has said that she doesn't want the rat killed so might call in a pest controller as a few people have suggested

Pest controllers worth employing will kill the rat (if they can).

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81900443#Comment_81900443

On what basis does your wife not want the rat killed? Does she want it as a pet?

A good pest controller will dispatch the rat (if they catch it) to the great garden in the sky.