[Sid]

Hi all,
some advice needed please!!
We have a rat that has moved into our garden composter and we have also had a rat taking the fat balls for the birds.
Now that we have an allotment,we don't need one in the garden,we are tempted to put poison in the composter,and then get rid.
But we keep chickens (that free range) and our two lovely dogs we are concerned as to what would be the safest thing to do.
We know where the rats are coming from,but we don't want to offend our neighbours,if you get my drift
any advice would be greatly appreciated,thanks

Sid.

[poultrygeist]

I would personally risk offending the neighbours. The poison could end up anywhere and any passing animal might eat it. You'd need to make sure that only the rat can get at it. Very hard to ensure.

If you can eliminate the source by talking to your neighbours about it, it really would be an easier option, if I've understood right.

Rob

[Sid]

Thanks Rob,
we will get rid of composter,and have a word with the neighbours.
Sid

[poultrygeist]

I wouldn't get rid of the composter. Could you place it on some wire mesh to stop it getting in (assuming it gets in through the base).

Rob

[Paul Plots]

It definitely sounds as if removing food sources and warning the neighbours about the problem would the the best solution...

I noticed a (I hope it's too) huge hole in my large open compost bin on the plot. Looks as if a fox has been digging deeper than usual. I'll find out whether it's a small fox or a very, very large rat in a few days time when I begin emptying it! 

[Sid]

Thanks again Rob :)I will make a base for composter.
And am going over to neighbours in a mo,thanks Learner for advice also
Sid.

[Goosegirl]

We have a smallholding amongst farm land surrounded by drainage dykes and there are always a few rats around. My OH uses long clay drainage pipes and pushes the poison into the middle. Only problem could be if the rat pulls it out then it's got by your hens and dogs.

[SMD66]

you can buy specific rat bait boxes fairly reasonably.

[Lupin lurcher]

OMG I cant think of anything worse than rats,  I hope you get it sorted.

[Sid]

Had chat with neighbours,and we have cleared and moved composter ,we have also put a frame underneath.
Spoke to a friend who has ferrets,and she is comming down tomorrow,so hopefully we will sort the rat problem ...Thanks for all advice will keep you posted.

Sid

[poultrygeist]

Well done Sid. Sounds like a result. 

Rob

[Paul Plots]

They are persistent little vermin - you'll need to keep an eye out for any return visitors and remove food sources. Once there's nothing to eat they may well move on.

Best of luck. 

[fox in my compost heap seems to like the warmth and worms!]

[8doubles]

Had chat with neighbours,and we have cleared and moved composter ,we have also put a frame underneath.
Spoke to a friend who has ferrets,and she is comming down tomorrow,so hopefully we will sort the rat problem ...Thanks for all advice will keep you posted.

Sid

Is the friend bringing you a bag of ferret dung to stink the rats out ? If you are putting the ferret into rat holes bear in mind that rats do fight back sometimes and the ferret could end up with a trip to the vets. Not good for the ferret or the wallet.

[Paul Plots]

I was wondering how the ferrest would fair too....

[Flowerpower136]

We had them last year and got into the stone wall of the house, Eeeek!   Took the council 3 months to get rid with poison, and resulted in stinking dead rats in the wall.
Never again.

This year, we're prepared.  Mark4 Fenn Traps from Domestic Wildfowl Trust, have a look on their website.  We got them their DWT Boxes.  You put the trap in the box, so is perfectly safe with dogs, chucks etc.  I've got both, one trap actually in the hen pen, no probs at all.  Box is designed to keep out nice things like hedgehogs, though you might get the odd squirrel.  Small things like mice don't tend to set it off. 

It's a scary bit of kit, so need to treat with respect, and make sure children can't touch.  When working out how to set it, I did manage to get my thumb caught, and whilst it didn't break anything, the bruising was a sight to behold.