Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: johnkelly on December 10, 2007, 10:12

Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: johnkelly on December 10, 2007, 10:12: sung to UB40s "Rat in the Kitchen"....

Although not a jolly tune in our case. Wife is not happy. I know it's a rat as it's tunneling up to the top of the compost, presumably eating the fresh veg peelings there and leaving it's tell-tale signs (rat-poo) in the compost bin. Now I turn the contents over frequently but it's not helping. Is it worth me just not bothering putting anything in there over winter and see if it goes away without it's food source?

Any advice please?

Thanks
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: gobs on December 10, 2007, 10:20: Do a search, JK, thereis a good solution on here somewhere. :)
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: johnkelly on December 10, 2007, 10:30: Ah yes, I did try a search but it came back with so many I couldn't see the wood for the trees. I've found one now. I'll have to get some fine mesh chicken wire around the shed just in case they're living under there. I have no hesitation in using poison or traps around them so I'll get some of them as well.
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: gobs on December 10, 2007, 10:34: Have you found the home made poison?
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: DD. on December 10, 2007, 10:41: Quote from: "gobs"
Have you found the home made poison?

Is that my wife's cooking?
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: johnkelly on December 10, 2007, 10:51: Quote from: "gobs"
Have you found the home made poison?

no - but it sounds like a few of my own meals....
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: gobs on December 10, 2007, 10:52: here you are (http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=2827&start=0), JK

I did not mention anybody, Dave. :lol:
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: johnkelly on December 10, 2007, 10:57: grrr....

All I can find is a topic asking for some help to find the home made rat poison topic. I better get back to work and do this tonight :-(
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: gobs on December 10, 2007, 11:00: I've just sent you a link, blue it is. :wink: :roll:
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: johnkelly on December 10, 2007, 11:22: Quote from: "gobs"
I've just sent you a link, blue it is. :wink: :roll:

So you have - printed off and will see how it turns out this week. It would be nice to get rid of the damn things.

Thanks gobs.
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: gobs on December 10, 2007, 12:55: You are welcome, I hope it works out for you. :)
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: mashauk on December 10, 2007, 22:12: Make sure there's no cooked food in there only raw stuff they seem to be attracted to cooked food, we had a rat in the Dalek at home last year, but the cat saw him off luckily. We had a frog in the compost at the lottie, with a cat sitting on top sunning itself, wish I'd got a pic of it.
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: DeadlyNightshade on December 10, 2007, 23:19: Has anyone ever found a combusted rat?

Would be very interesting to see if/ what way its has worked!

We always use Storm rat poison about the yard, the last time we had about 14 dead rats lying about (unfortunately some of them in the drinking troughs!!) and some other ones were helped to die as they get a lot slower
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: gobs on December 10, 2007, 23:23: I am sure quite a few people found a combusted rat.
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: Trillium on December 11, 2007, 04:43: John, is this your home compost bins or a lotty bin? If lotty, then I believe the site people are obliged to clear the rats for you. If it's home, then do some more closing up and no cooked food scraps.
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: van connick on December 11, 2007, 06:21: i am thinking about trying this home made poison.......thanks for the link

darn rats are in the hay barn again, and the commercial stuff we buy, although it works, takes quite a while to have an effect, keep finding bluey/green rat poo everywhere. surely that cant be good for the birds who feed on the slugs and snails who feed on poo, can it?

the rat trap we have is a total waste of time, tried everything in it, from chocolate, to rat bait, bread, raisins, food scraps....etc...but they will eat the bait put under the hay ( hay is up on pallets ) within minutes. sat out there with the gun aswell, little blighters dont show, but when i am in the barn they will run out by my feet......clever, intelligent, whatever you want to call them......I HATE THEM and i want RID OF EM !! no matter how.

( actually i think the sound of an exploding rat, could be just as satisfying as popping bubblewrap....lol...)
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: Trillium on December 14, 2007, 16:12: Hay and rats are one of nature's natural combinations unfortunately. My sister's hay barn is completely off limits to the kids, and to grownups without workboots and heavy workclothes, because it's impossible to control the rats. Even the wild barn cats can't deal with them, they're so vicious - and smart. Studies show that if a rat finds a possibly poisoned food, it will take only a little bit and wait to see if there's a bad reaction. If nothing, it will return and finish the food. Otherwise, it looks for something else which is edible.
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: tallulah on December 15, 2007, 17:53: I had a rat or two taking liberties in my compost bin. They're elsewhere in the garden too, so have got an expert in to help. He baited inside the bin, and a few days later, there was an ex-rat curled up beside the bait box. Actually, it looked ever so cute. I thought all the rats had been dealt with, but OH says that if you stand v still for a few minutes in the evenings, you'll start to hear the clatter and scratching of the durned critters. :shock: Guess we'll have to call the RatMan back.
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: johnkelly on December 17, 2007, 12:55: Not got round to it yet - this time of the year is just too busy. I keep turning the compost and don't put any cooked food in so hoping this will discourage them. However I find little tunnels where they've dug through the compost overnight and the ratpoo scattered around.

I have a feeling they're living under the shed. Can't see anything but, at this time of year, it must be quite wamr and cosy under there for them. There's also a field next door which has held cattle over the summer. Maybe this attracted them in the first place. I know it's not possible to completely eradicate them but I'd like to keep them at arms length. My wife's petrified of going down there now....

An annoying thing is the person who read the meter left the door open giving access to the cavity wall. I hope nothing crept in whilst it was open for 3 days before we noticed :(
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: gobs on December 17, 2007, 13:03: I don't understand where this door leads to but suggest you have a good look around, however busy.
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: johnkelly on December 17, 2007, 13:22: Quote from: "gobs"
I don't understand where this door leads to but suggest you have a good look around, however busy.

The meter is on an outside cavity wall and all the electric cables go from the meter up to the fusebox and then around the house. I've had a look around the roof area near that and there's no signs of any intrusion. I can't hear any noises at night either and I'm a very light sleeper.
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: WG. on December 18, 2007, 13:02: Think yourself lucky it is only a small rat : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7149569.stm :wink:
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: gobs on December 18, 2007, 13:51: Quote from: "WG."
Think yourself lucky it is only a small rat : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7149569.stm :wink:

Oh my god!!!!! :shock: That's rats.
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: WG. on December 18, 2007, 13:53: Quote from: "gobs"
Quote from: "WG."
Think yourself lucky it is only a small rat : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7149569.stm :wink:

Oh my god!!!!! :shock: That's rats.
Do you think that would fit in Mushroom's oven then?? :wink:
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: gobs on December 18, 2007, 13:57: Quote from: "WG."
Quote from: "gobs"
Quote from: "WG."
Think yourself lucky it is only a small rat : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7149569.stm :wink:

Oh my god!!!!! :shock: That's rats.
Do you think that would fit in Mushroom's oven then?? :wink:

Nuts. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Please, don't tell him he must be quite stressed already.
Title: splat the rat
Post by: chickenjohnok on December 25, 2007, 22:31: One way I find effective and good fun :twisted: is to get hoid of an old small engine ie:-off a chainsaw or a strimmer, and attach a piece of pipe to the exhaust, maybe off a hoover or the like, then some tin cans with the top and bottom cut out. At one end fit a pair of ladies tights, :oops: "one leg inside the other" over the tin can , the other end of the tin can is pushed inot the rat hole. When all the holes are coverd, leave one open. Start the engine and put the pipe into the remaining hole. Then all you need is a spade, SLAP!!! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
P.S. Make sure that the cans and the exhaust pipe have soil packed around them to make a good snug fit.
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: Selkie on December 26, 2007, 10:21: :?
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: chickenjohnok on December 26, 2007, 14:38: Rosemary
Ti's the exhaust fumes that drive them out in to the traps.
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: Selkie on December 26, 2007, 17:18: I just feel kind of sorry for the poor rats though...
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: spinny on December 26, 2007, 22:08: Bread smothered in peanut butter has been effective for baiting traps here - I've had five of the little furry devils over the last six weeks!!

spinny
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: DD. on December 27, 2007, 06:38: Quote from: "spinny"
Bread smothered in peanut butter has been effective for baiting traps here - I've had five of the little furry devils over the last six weeks!!

spinny

We tend to treat the local kids more kindly in Leicestershire. :lol:
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: van connick on December 27, 2007, 07:38: feel sorry for rats???? :roll:
dirty, germ ridden, killing machines....!!!

they should all be got rid off.

i am assuming Rose, that you have not had a prob with them? oh how lucky you are.....
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: Selkie on December 27, 2007, 09:34: I try and live and let live...

But yes, we don't have a problem with rats so I know I'm in a lucky situation. We do have three cats (two of which are 'outdoor' cats) so I'd imagine they have scared off any rats -- Toby did bring home a few young rats earlier in the winter but we haven't had any since.
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: DD. on December 27, 2007, 09:45: (http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c182/G4IAR/amc0225l.jpg)
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: johnkelly on December 27, 2007, 15:51: Maybe I'll go for the pied piper approach next.

The home made rat poison doesn't seem to have made any difference. Went to B&Q today for a couple of rat traps.

Watch this space......
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: gobs on December 27, 2007, 22:19: Well, I haven't tried it yet, JK, but someone respectable on the Forum said they did work. Any chance they got rained onto?
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: tallulah on January 13, 2008, 11:08: Quote from: "van connick"

dirty, germ ridden, killing machines....!!!

.

Talking about Humans? That's always been my opinion of the rather repulsive species that I belong to! (forum members excepted of course!) :lol: :lol:
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: lefrog on January 13, 2008, 11:30: I remember reading somewhere than rats like compost heap mostly because the heap tend to stay warm and slightly damp. they don t like too moist condition, so the way to get rid of em ( sorry to force em to move somewhere else ) is to make sure the heap is wetter than it should, keep it that way for few weeks , then add cardboard, hay or anybrown to dry the heap.
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: Farmer Matty on January 13, 2008, 11:50: You could stay out there one night with little air rifle....
Title: there's a rat in the compost what am I going to do?
Post by: Grasshopper on January 16, 2008, 08:36: BOMB THE B*****DS :evil: !!!!!!