Leicester_H Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 HELP ! About 2 years ago we 'adopted' a hedgehog from a rescue centre. He lives in our garden and has hibernated successfully for 2 years. You may have seen on the news that hedgehogs are having a bad time this year because it so mild they're not hibernating yet, and using up their fat reserves. The feeding station is basically an upturned wooden box about 6" tall, with a 5x4" hole so that hedgehogs can get the food but cats can't (the food is dried cat food) Today while the girls were free ranging, I was went to top up the hedeghog food only to fing a LARGE RAT in there. On watching from the window, s/he was taking bits round the corner - I assume feeding babies. Obviously, I have removed the food, but now the hedgehog won't get any. So, anyone know (a) how I can feed my hedgehogs without feeding the rat(s) (b) how do we get rid of the rats - do we call the council - will they suspect the chickens ---- there is NO evidence of them getting into the chicken food ---- our house deeds don't prohibit chickens (so nothing (?) to fear ) Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks, H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Goodness - difficult one Firstly,I would love to adopt a hedgehog,as I think they are adorable,so well done for that. As for the rats,well you can buy a tube to put poison in,which a hedgehog wouldn't be able to get in to,so that might be a good place to start. Just keep an eye that none of the poison gets dragged out when the rats leaves the tube after feeding,as the HH may pick it up Is it possible to modify the HH home a bit, to make it rat proof? I know they sell them at Pets At Home,so if one is near to you maybe you could pop in & have a look to get some ideas? Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted December 8, 2007 Author Share Posted December 8, 2007 Is it possible to modify the HH home a bit, to make it rat proof? Thanks for SWIFT reply!!! Can't see how to modify feeding station as hedgehog is bigger than rat (at the moment anyway!!). So any entrance that allows the hedgie in, will allow the rat in as well. It may have to be poison in tube - not keen on this solution, but if its the only way ............ H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 is there something you can feed that rats won't eat but hedgehogs will I wonder? slugs maybe? what about mealworms, would rats eat mealworms? I have a horrible feeling rats will eat anything. hopefully your hedgehog will be hibernating, have you seen him recently? What time does he appear? maybe you could time your feeding to when he's just about to visit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChicken Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Rats will proberably ignore the food in tubes or traps if the HH food is still available. I think your best solution would be to remove the HH for a couple of days (keep him inside in a box) and mix rat poison (available from B&Q) with the HH food. Rat takes food, rat feeds babies, problem solved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 is there something you can feed that rats won't eat but hedgehogs will I wonder? slugs maybe? what about mealworms, would rats eat mealworms? I have a horrible feeling rats will eat anything. Rats will eat absolutely anything, (they even eat their own droppings ), although fancy rats really like chocolate so if you have some animal choc drops (not sure you will be wanting to waste real chocolate on a rat) you could try putting the poison with them. I absolutely love rats, I think they are wonderful intelligent creatures, but you will have to kill it, or it will just breed and then you have a bigger problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 I've made a post in the NB under 'spring surprise' about some hedgehogs I have just adopted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newlaidegg Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Hi Most councils will come out to sort out rat and mice problems free of charge, chickens or not. If you look on the internet under pest control for your local council, it should give you information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 The rat bait boxes that I have would probably be too small for a hedgehog to get into. Also, the poison bait is in the form of a ring and is looped onto a bar so that the rat cannot remove it. Might be worth getting one and putting some of the hedgehog food onto the poison rings to tempt ratty, plus no hedgehog food for a while. Hope you get rid of it. Haven't seen mine again since it lost it's leg! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChicken Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 Most councils will come out to sort out rat and mice problems free of charge Councils normally treat rat problems only if they are inside your house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 I agree with Snowy.....I doubt that a hedgehog would get into a bait box. There are always the live catch traps too.......but you have to kill the rat humanely once it is caught. Drowning isn't an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 Most councils will come out to sort out rat and mice problems free of charge Councils normally treat rat problems only if they are inside your house. I think it depends on your local Council. My Mum had a rat in her compost bin and the Rat Man came round free of charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted December 10, 2007 Author Share Posted December 10, 2007 Thanks all. Council have web page that says rat visit is free so have filled out on line form - hopefully they will be in touch soon, so can resume feeding hedgehog. Not seen rat since removed hedgehog food - have never seen rat before and feed birds everyday, so am hoping this was a visiting rat ?! Will report back on how council re-act in case anyone else faces thsi problem in the near future, H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERTIE MCSQUIRTY Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 have you got anyone local who would shoot the rat? i've had this conversation this morning with my friends oh, he has an airgun and a background of outside work in this sort of field. he has offered to sit in wait at my house for the rat to appear then he will strike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozkate Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Have to agree with Bert. If you're gonna do it yourself borrow a good airgun. Be warned most airguns will not kill a rat outright at anything over about 20/30 feet. There are a few that are borderline legal without a firearms certificate issued by the police authority. Wish I lived nearby - I'd happily help. Another option is to borrow a terrier (Jack Russell perhaps). They work at closer range than and airgun but are a little more effective and reliable and you don't have to worry about a licence. If you think they're living close you could put something down that would stick to their feet and follow them to their lair. Sounds like fun! TAke a heavy shovel - multi-purpose tool!!!! Loz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted December 11, 2007 Author Share Posted December 11, 2007 Am impressed with council so far. Filled in on-line request form on Sunday. 'Rat man' phoned yesterday to enquire about problem. 'Rat man' called this morning at 9am. He pointed out that we are doing almost everything possible to attract rats !! ie. feeding birds & hedgehogs, providing water, keeping chickens. but he took all that on board and left some waxed food thingies (??) near where we saw the rat and is coming back next week. *I* wouldn't dare try to shoot it and I couldn't use a shovel. Lots of people feed birds, and I'm sure they don't all have rats, so lets hope we get rid of him/her/them soon. Thanks, H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 It's best to keep baited boxes down even when you think it has gone, where you have one rat, you'll always have more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 I keep baited boxes down. So far so good. I haven't seen a rat or evidence of one for months. I hope I'm not jinxing myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERTIE MCSQUIRTY Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 i've got a rather large rat in the garden but the devil keeps avoiding the killer snare- even though i have filled it with chocolate tonight. every time i go to the run i am armed with a big spade and the mallet in case it pops out to see me. fortunately i have psyched myself up to do the dirty deed if i find it. however my pals oh has offered tonight to come target practice with the rifle if all else fails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 Well no sign of my 3 legged rat, or any other rat for a couple of weeks now. And today there was a mouse in my rat trap. I'm hoping that's a good sign and that the mice have moved back 'cos ratty has gone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 i've got a rather large rat in the garden but the devil keeps avoiding the killer snare- even though i have filled it with chocolate tonight. Try peanut butter or some left over cooked meat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERTIE MCSQUIRTY Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 Try peanut butter or some left over cooked meat. i've been trying for almost 2 weeks with peanut butter with no success however last night i put chocolate cake in (only sainsbury's finest!!!) went to the run this morning and a big monster of a rat was in there - trapped and dead! i felt pucky this morning and almost heaved as i released his head and popped him into the bin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 :dance: Result! The traps really do seem to be most effective (if the rat uses them properly ) and at least you know they've gone, unlike the poison whereby you only guess they've gone because you haven't seen them around for a while! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERTIE MCSQUIRTY Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 i've put the trap in again tonight, but i'm hoping the oh will check it in the morning before i get up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 last night i put chocolate cake in (only sainsbury's finest!!!) went to the run this morning and a big monster of a rat was in there - trapped and dead! i felt pucky this morning and almost heaved as i released his head and popped him into the bin What an endorsement for Sainsbury's Chocolate cake! I'd continue with the traps for a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
