Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: mandapanda on March 11, 2008, 12:29
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Does anyone know a way of controlling rats without harming other wildlife. We have a problem with them eating EVERYTHING but are worried about poisoning other wildlife too. Traps not working...
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http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=13599&highlight=plaster
Try this link to a previous thread!
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If you know where their hole is, put a bag of rat poison down it. You dont have to push it too far down, only a couple of inches. The rats will take it into their home (or whatever a rats home is called) gnaw their way into the bag, eat the poison and die.
As long as the bag of poison isnt where other can get it easily you should be ok. Its what i use, cos the OH wont have a cat and have never had a problem with the chickens eating the poison. You just have to be careful.
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Terriers or ferrets. We used to borrow a neighbour's Jack Russells, and send them in under the shed foundations. They loved it; we got rid of the rats without poison.
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Yes agree, a couple of jack russels, they work as a great team of rat catchers. Or, a deck chair, a flask of something hot, and an air rifle :D Works a treat.
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I have done that with my neighbours Jack Rusell, she went MAD the first time that she smelt a rat. However she did get at and kill my youngest daughters Guineau Pig so won't borrow her again, just incase she feels peckish and licks her lips at the other GP
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ferrets poop mixed with water and then sprayed in the holes :wink:
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We've just got a couple of kittens to become our organic rodent control - we have used poison before, but a) it's expensive and b) doesn't really fit with our organic ambitions.
I also use an air rifle to pop of few off as well.
We've tried putting dog poo down their holes and I've also been known to "water" their holes as well - they just move 30 foot and dig another hole!!!
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What does an organic airrifle look like?! :wink:
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I was told that Rats do not like the smell of mint and so you could grow some of that.
I've not actually tried it as I don't have a rat problem.
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Always keep in mind if you have cats as vermin control: they are very fond of bringing you their catch of the day/ night :)
My Tom has landed one night with a living rat in the hall... thankfully he must have been very hungry, there was nothing left bar a kidney the next morning :) And I've found living and dead mice under the bed and in other inconvenient locations :roll:
But I don't think I've any rats/ mice in the garden as my cats garden with me and spend a lot of time there even without me
Bell
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What does an organic airrifle look like?! :wink:
Like any other air rifle! The .22 pellets are now made of a lead substitute so does that count as organic? As for harming other wildlife, just make sure your aim is good :D
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are there any good websites for buying the air rifles? or is it best to get one locally? what kind of price am i looking at?
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Air guns are a controlled item in the uk, and obviously subject to very tight controls. (doesnt stop the local chavs though)
http://f4bscale.worldonline.co.uk/gunlaw.htm to see more on it.
We have to get written permission to use on private land from the land owner, usualy a farmer with a rabbit or rat problem.
If its a road you want to go down, contact your local gun shop who will give you all the best advice and probably point you at a gun club for training.
How responsible was that ?!! Must be getting older :lol: Seriously though, some people can treat these guns as toys, in fact they are classed as a weapon. Have safe fun!
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Does anyone know a way of controlling rats without harming other wildlife. We have a problem with them eating EVERYTHING but are worried about poisoning other wildlife too. Traps not working...
Yes, get one of these; you will have no unwelcome visitors :wink:
(http://aycu32.webshots.com/image/49511/2004555463016505034_rs.jpg)
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thanks for the advice compo - i intend to use it for pest control in my own garden only, hence i dont want to spend too much, just protect my crops...and the birds from those `orrible squirrels.
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I was told that Rats do not like the smell of mint and so you could grow some of that.
I've not actually tried it as I don't have a rat problem.
The little s***s nested under a shed planted round with mint, so I think it may not work if there's a tempting food-source nearby.
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rats must be killed theres no other way unless u want thousands of em and every disease known to man...
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Does anyone know a way of controlling rats without harming other wildlife. We have a problem with them eating EVERYTHING but are worried about poisoning other wildlife too. Traps not working...
Carbon Monoxide works a treat. Stick a rubber hose up the old exhaust pipe & down the rat hole .Rev like mad for a few minutes and watch the blighters scarper! You'll also locate the other holes as the fumes start to escape.
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Air guns are a controlled item in the uk, and obviously subject to very tight controls. (doesnt stop the local chavs though)
http://f4bscale.worldonline.co.uk/gunlaw.htm to see more on it.
We have to get written permission to use on private land from the land owner, usualy a farmer with a rabbit or rat problem.
If its a road you want to go down, contact your local gun shop who will give you all the best advice and probably point you at a gun club for training.
How responsible was that ?!! Must be getting older :lol: Seriously though, some people can treat these guns as toys, in fact they are classed as a weapon. Have safe fun!
Here's a document from the home office - as far as I know it still represents current law.
http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-and-publications/publication/operational-policing/AirWeaponsLeafletAW.pdf?view=Binary