Clur Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Think I'd mentioned before about a rat living in our garden (and frequenting our composter) and I've tried 'nice' ways to get rid of it. None of the traps have worked even though we've left them in place several days before setting them and have worn gloves to ensure no human-smell etc etc. Now I need to get serious as neighbours have seen Mr Ratty (and family must be lurking) and are making noises about chickens. Any tips for bait and bait boxes - what to use and the best places to get it from? Humane methods haven't worked so I need to seriously get to grips with this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 We bought white plastic trays of rat poison from Wilkinsons when we had a big fella visiting a couple of years ago. We positioned the trays under the summer house where nothing else could get it as we knew he used that as a rat run. He ate 4 trays of blue dinner and we never saw him again after that. I didn't like having to put poisoned bait down but neither of us fancied carrying a humane trap with an angry rat in somewhere to let it go and having experienced another rat in a snapper trap which didn't do the job properly, this was the only option we had left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Thry searching rats on the forum Clur - you will see a LOT of posts similar to yours They are a big problem for a lot of us. Regular & persistant baiting is the only way we are keeping on top of it. Any good outdoorsy type shop will sell industrial strength bait & locked boxes. Oh,& it won't be one rat - if you have one,you have a family of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 I put one of these, baited with peanut butter in the compost bin and eventually caught the one I had. You can buy them in most hardware stores. http://www.farmrite.co.uk/product.ds2?p=330015 Your council will deal with it but they charge £40.50 for two visits - half price if you are on benefits. Quite expensive as our council only charges £10 for as many visits as it takes and its free for people on benefits. http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/environment/env-trading-standards/env-pest-control.htm Trouble is, there is likely to be more than one and even if your neighbours scatter wild bird food all over their gardens, you might be sure it'll be your chickens that get the blame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Some tips **here**. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koo2cat Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Our house backs onto fields and we have never seen a rat until....we got chickens!!! There is now a GIANT one living near our compost bin. We now bring the food in every night and have blocked off the compost bins with bricks to deter. Nasty things rats - make my skin crawl!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clur Posted July 9, 2008 Author Share Posted July 9, 2008 Your council will deal with it but they charge £40.50 for two visits - half price if you are on benefits. Quite expensive as our council only charges £10 for as many visits as it takes and its free for people on benefits. http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/environment/env-trading-standards/env-pest-control.htm Thanks Rona, but I am trying not to call the council as not strictly meant to have poultry according to our deeds. But it's ok as our girls are outside-dwelling pets.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clur Posted July 9, 2008 Author Share Posted July 9, 2008 Thanks - looking online for locked bait boxes and the best bait to use... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I've got the council coming on Friday morning to deal with a bit of a rat problem here too. I had to have them out about 6 months ago and they didn't charge me at all. I think it may vary from area to area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I don't think that the council will have any interest in the deeds of your house: they are nothing to do with them, and everything to do with your neighbours, who probably know already hat you have hens. If your council will lay bait boxes free of charge, I would get them to do it, as bait is expensive. We have the rat man regularly, but I think our rats are becoming immune to the bait. I find traps better, but they are dangerous to set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
