[peanut]

See if you can source their runs and entry points.  we had rats a few years back and they were coming in round the base of a fence post - a bit of postmix stopped them in their tracks.

Our first one set up home in the compost bin cos it was nice and warm so we did away with it and got a wheelie bin wormery instead.  Not seen one since.

remember - if you cage trap a rat - YOU MUST NOT RELEASE IT!! home or away.

[Ivor Backache]

Question - where are the rats coming from? If you get rid of this lot will there be more to come? Trace back to source and cure at source if possible.

No no:   The question is why are they choosing this compost heap? We don't all get rats in compost heaps. Do we?

[strangerachael]

I spotted a tunnel in my compost yesterday - although I have wire mesh underneath it - I suspect it squeezed through the gap at the edge of the trap door. Or else they've gnawed through the mesh.
Does anyone know what risk there is (if any) from Weil's Disease?

[BADBACK]

never use poison for rats,
yes poison will kill a rat it goes away to die
the poison is diluted in its body,
it then becomes a food source for other rats,
whole loads of the little b*****S then move in on you
traps are the only way

[richyrich7]

I spotted a tunnel in my compost yesterday - although I have wire mesh underneath it - I suspect it squeezed through the gap at the edge of the trap door. Or else they've gnawed through the mesh.
Does anyone know what risk there is (if any) from Weil's Disease?

Have a look at this !

 http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Leptospirosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx

[muckyboots]

I'v had the same results with the spring traps as janet12000 ,so iv soaked it and turned it over,and i'll take a trip to the DIY for some poison in those tubes.Thank you all for the tips.
Muckyboots

[strangerachael]

Have a look at this !

 http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Leptospirosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx

OK, so I don't think I need to lose too much sleep over it then!

[compostqueen]

I've got them in my bin, the rat man has been and despatched those under the shed and says if it doesn't get the bin rat he'll come back and bait it. I don't fancy bait in my compost bin so I've been soaking it from the top with ice cold water but it hasn't deterred it 

[richyrich7]

Just out of interest what kind of bins/heaps do people with rats in have ?
Be interesting to see if there's a common denominator.

We have a darlek type bin , no rats this year. But we quite often get them I think it's because I've relocated it away from the fence etc.

[strangerachael]

Mine are daleks too.

[compostqueen]

It's in a Compost Machine (a big dalek bin)  I've tried deterring it by flooding the bin with ice cold water but it seems not to mind. I don't fancy turning the contents out in case it flushes it out. I'm too nervous 

[Lardman]

I seem to have gained a few this year too - although not in my compost bin thankfully.

I was considering getting one for these http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Cleaning+Pest+Control/Pest+Control/14+Wire+Rat+Cage/d260/sd3217/p20682 the snap traps don't seem to be helping. (neither does the constant source of food from next door).

[compostqueen]

I would rather not bait my bin as I don't fancy going to the trouble of making a chemical free compost and then have the worry of bait in it. I have hens and hate the idea of them getting any

[richyrich7]

I use one of these  http://www.killgerm.com/product-group.php?group=509

Caught a few huge ones this year , none in the compost heap, few in the greenhouse but mainly under the shed ( x poultry shed )

[8doubles]

Normally rats don`t like the Dalek bins, they know if they mess with them they will be

                   EX.....TER......MIN......ATED....!


someone was going to say it ,

i`ll get my coat anyhow.


Ps ratters use a pipe off the exhaust of a 2 stroke strimmer or chainsaw engine , chain taken off and heavy on the 2 stroke oil.
You need a fast dog at the ready to finish the job or if you are sharp a whack with a length of polythene water pipe.
When they run AT you it does increase your adrenaline level.