[8doubles]

Rats only carry two diseases: I know one of them is leptosporosis but I can'r remember the other one.

I think Weils disease is the other one, the americans have a very nasty virus carried by mice according to the Bill Bryson book i have just started reading.

[Spana]

Our postman had that last year, caught it while fishing.  He was very ill for a long time
Nasty

[chuckmad]

Oh No, the rats must go.
We have a new puppy who hasnt had all her vaccinations and Leptospirosis is on the list to get vaccinated.
I'm really not into poison (had a dog many years ago who died from eating it in the neighbours yard  ) so wondering if traps outside the chicken run are the way to go. My hens arent allowed outside the run (thanks to the neighbours dog)

[Flowerpower136]

Rats can climb very easily, so might not be tunnelling in, but going over the top!

We use Eradibate which is safe for other crits, and also have several Mk4 Fenn traps, which are brilliant for catching the big ones.  Don't ignore them, or you'll be overrun.

[Lastcast]

Hi, don't wish to be alarmist, however as an angler and henkeeper I'm aware of Weil's disease and know a couple of people who have suffered from this nasty disease, in some circumstances it can be fatal. there's plenty of information here, hope it is of some use, regards,  http://www.leptospirosis.org/

[8doubles]

Hi, don't wish to be alarmist, however as an angler and henkeeper I'm aware of Weil's disease and know a couple of people who have suffered from this nasty disease, in some circumstances it can be fatal. there's plenty of information here, hope it is of some use, regards,  http://www.leptospirosis.org/

As an angler i was aware of the risk of infection from bankside rats but did not really consider mice to be a threat. The risk of infection from pets is another worry, you never know what tiddles has been chewing.

Well worth reading the link.