[themagicaltoad1]

We put bird seed out as we have a lot of nesting birds in and around the garden, sparrows, tits, robins, thrushes etc and we enjoy seeing them in the garden. By the time evening comes there's no food left on the table so I guess they're coming for the odd seeds that the birds have dropped or scattered. There's always been the odd rat but we've definitely seen a huge increase this year, and they're very bold. My Jack Russell stands like a statue for ages waiting to catch them. They've chewed a hole at each end of the garden shed and come through there, so that's where the trap and poison box is. The older ones seem to know how to avoid the trap and poison. They are coming from next door's garden which is like a jungle with lots of old sheds and woodpiles, we've told our neighbour but she won't do anything about them.

[BobE]

Use a snap trap baited with peanut butter, that gets them, old or young.  Surround it with concrete blocks to stop the dogs getting to it and use the blocks to create a run, with the trap in the middle.  Use rubber gloves to clean up the mess, double bag the bodies, don't bury them.  Black wheely bin is best.

http://www.diy.com/nav/garden/garden-care-watering/pest-weed-control/animal_control/-specificproducttype-rat___mouse_control/Rentokil-Advanced-Rat-Traps-Twin-Pack-Fr51-11327720

I am not connected to B&Q.  Ive justed used these, with peanut butter they are deadly, but be careful that can harm a dog or cat.  You must put them in a protected space, I built a run out of concrete blocks.

[themagicaltoad1]

I did get it from B&Q, and it's working well on the young ones but the biggies are avoiding it. Peanuts seem to be a favoured bait. Both the trap and poison are in the shed, safely away from from dogs and hens, next to the hole they chewed.

[BobE]

You need to get them starving.  No other food at all costs.  When they are starving they will take the bait.  Its peanut butter not just peanuts.  Try to clear the bodies away because if they see them trapped they are clever enough to realise it.  Wash the trap to get rid of scent.  Just keep it up, you will win in the end.

[ANHBUC]

We put bird seed out as we have a lot of nesting birds in and around the garden, sparrows, tits, robins, thrushes etc and we enjoy seeing them in the garden. By the time evening comes there's no food left on the table so I guess they're coming for the odd seeds that the birds have dropped or scattered. There's always been the odd rat but we've definitely seen a huge increase this year, and they're very bold. My Jack Russell stands like a statue for ages waiting to catch them. They've chewed a hole at each end of the garden shed and come through there, so that's where the trap and poison box is. The older ones seem to know how to avoid the trap and poison. They are coming from next door's garden which is like a jungle with lots of old sheds and woodpiles, we've told our neighbour but she won't do anything about them.

If you can put a length of drain/soil pipe in the shed from one hole to the other and put the trap in the pipe that should work.   

[BobE]

Actually if you can prove they are nesting next door then the council will do something about it.  Have a quiet word with your council on monday.  Rats are a dangerous creature and the council is tasked to control them.  No harm in a phone call.

[Sparkyrog]

Agreed Bob they are obliged to take action

[BobE]

What I think they will do is make a polite visit.  Get her to let them look around and make some suggestions.  They will even help out with poison etc.  The point is to not create trouble but to get her onside.

[Sassy]

My land was under a minimum of 4'6" of water that slowly went down over 7 days (flloding there unheard of before). I was hoping it would cut down on the rabbits but there seem to be more than ever. I did not see a rat all winter though!