[Mrs Bee]

 Hi Yorkie.
we have the spuds in a metal dust bin at the moment in canvas sacks. We have drilled air holes in the sides and base and stood the bin off the floor on wooden pallets so there is air underneath. I have checked them  a few times since we put them in there and they seem OK for the time being. Not sure how long they will keep like this. Hubby is thinking about making some sort of storage for next year using chicken wire. Can't do it at the moment as he is working on raised beds for the allotment and a fruit cage  so we can plant fruit bushes this year.

We have only had our allotment for 2 years and it was a jungle of brambles when we got it. Looking on the bright side we had oodles of blackberry cake, crumble, brandy, jam and pies throughtout the following year. And this year we haven't had to buy many vegetables since June so we are getting better.

The chicken manure from the girls is great for making a hot bed as is the free manure from the local stables. Well almost free; I swap them one of my home made cakes for sacks full of manure.

[Yorkie]

Sounds like you're doing really well.  Mmm cake 

[Mrs Bee]

Thanks a lot for all the advice. This is a really brilliant site.

I can't keep a cat and my husband tho' as he is seriously allergic to cats!! and I am not going to make a smart remark about getting rid of the hubby. We need 2 of us to work our allotment.

I am going to go and disinfect my utlilty room in case it is rats. The thought of them making free in there gives me the raging hump.

Still don't understand if it is rats why they are not going for the onions and squash.  

I will be putting them in the 2 overflow fridges tomorrow. They have been a bit full recently with 20kg of seville oranges, a box of lemons and another of grapefruit while they are waiting to be turned into marmalade ready to sell at local events when the weather gets warmer.

Thanks to everyone for your help and advice.

[sunshineband]

I agree with you about the thought of rats running on things, as I reckon they leak as badly as mice 

We had the cleanest garage shelving around after our visitors left as I scrubbed everything in sight,  that I could reach anyway.

[Mrs Bee]

You are so right about the thought of rats running over the surfaces! I have my 2 overflow fridges and 2 giant upright freezers out there too, and until i get the problem sorted I will have to give everything a really good clean or I won't be able to put the freezer drawers on the work surfaces. Will still set up a web cam to see what it is tho', just in case it is a squirrel. We have lots of them in the forest. Pity they don't stay in the forest instead of ransacking my garden.
Several of the neighbours have had them make homes in the loft. One neighbour even had a blasted fox move into his loft.

[sunshineband]

If it was a squirrel I think you would see other damage around, and they tend to rush about madly to try to get out, too.

Rats seem to like potatoes a lot --- plotholders on our site are always complaining they have chewed potatoes in sheds, but they don't touch the onions 

[PurplePixie]

but they don't touch the onions 

I've just done an experiment while feeding mine!

They are allowed to eat small amounts onion but I don't normally give them any because it can make them a bit smelly so they have just been fed cous cous, kale, cherry toms, apple, banana, chopped red and white onion and spring onion .... they have been eating everything except the onions and spring onion 

They've not even hidden it to eat later which they often do with things that they're not too keen on.

[gobs]

but they don't touch the onions  

I've just done an experiment while feeding mine!

They are allowed to eat small amounts onion but I don't normally give them any because it can make them a bit smelly so they have just been fed cous cous, kale, cherry toms, apple, banana, chopped red and white onion and spring onion .... they have been eating everything except the onions and spring onion  

They've not even hidden it to eat later which they often do with things that they're not too keen on.

Just to be finicky, how is white onions and spring onions different from onions and spring onions, just asking you know.

[Salmo]

If you think you have rats call the local Council pest control. They will come and look and advise and treat if neccesary. Rats they will usually treat for free, mice they will charge for.

[PurplePixie]

Just to be finicky, how is white onions and spring onions different from onions and spring onions, just asking you know.

I just gave them normal white skinned, red and spring to try a few onion types to see if they ate them and they didnt touch any of them .... all three kinds are still in the bottom of the bowl this morning.

The red onions I have are quite sweet so I thought they'd go for them if any and they've not, I know it's not exactly scientific but I was interested to see if rats, if given a choice would eat onions. They should not be given uncooked potatoes so I wasnt trying that 

They would have your arm off for a bit of macaroni so I'd agree with Sunny and get some pasta bait in 

[gobs]

Ah, experimenting if they would eat any!

I have similar experience from the plot. I never noticed them touching any onions or potatoes. However, when food is scarce, odd individuals of several species might get into eating unusual food stuff.

[PurplePixie]

Ah, experimenting if they would eat any!

I have similar experience from the plot. I never noticed them touching any onions or potatoes. However, when food is scarce, odd individuals of several species might get into eating unusual food stuff.

Yup, just a quick test, they eat most things!

When food is scare rats will chew through all kinds in no time to get to grub, my Mum had some visitors that chewed holes in those really thick plastic cereal containers, good quality tupperware tubs, kitchen cupboards and kickboards 

I know some cage bases often need replacing because they get chewed through so I'd go for metal for any storage and in the kitchen store everything you can in the fridge, microwave and oven!

Rows of enamel bread bins are the way to go but not the lightweight roller type ones because they WILL open them, don't under estimate their intelligence

The pasta bait is really good and is designed to be taken back to the nest so that you won't find bodies all over. You could put it down and maybe after a few days leave apples out as a test to see if it's still there in the morning for peace of mind.

[Mrs Bee]

Thanks for taking the trouble to do a food test with your rat, Purple pixie. That was really kind of you.

Hubby is back from B&Q with the pasta bait and a trap. Will try your advice and leave the bait for a while and then leave another apple out as a test.

Have also dismantled one of the extra chicken feeders and will take the other one in at night until mystery visitors have been sorted.

We have an egglu cube and most of the time leave the door open so the girls can come and go as they please. WIll be a bit of a pest getting up and the crack of sparrows to get the food out but having rats is a bigger pest. Will have to close the doors on the girls for a while any way because of the threat of nasty weather.

[brown thumb]

in my health and safety course we were taught rats and mice are incontinent both with their dropping and urine and those can be found where ever they run also they leave behind greasy marks

[Mrs Bee]

Thanks for that Brownthumb. I was taught the same when I did my food hygiene course. That is why I am mystified that I can not find any evidence of rats or mice. However I am taking no chances. I will try the rat bait and a squirrel trap. I cannot see where whatever it is is getting in either.

Will be investigatng yet again this week end and following the advice given by other people on this site.