alison Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 I mentioned I had a rat problem and have been poisoning them but without much success as I noticed this morning that they have now managed to burrow into the run. Today I went and bought 50 slabs from B&Q as they are on offer for £1.38 each and a further 15% off if you spend £50.00. I have now slabbbed inside my run, and all around the outside of the run, so hopefully they will not get in. The scary thing was when I moved the large Keter box that I keep supplies, in - not food, only plastic boxes of garlic powder, vermx etc, the warren of tunnels underneath it shocked my DH and I speechless! So, more slabs under that! DH says it must be cheaper to buy eggs from Waitrose! My chooks were put inside the netting to free range, but were getting very cross with us as at 4.30 they knew it was time for bed and they couldn't get back into their run! But I had to put down the last of the slabs for my own peace of mind. I could take the food in at night, but it is 100 yards down the garden, not lit, and is now like a quagmire with all the barrowing of the slabs, 100 yards up the front drive, past the house and down the garden! It was good exercise and DH did all the carrying of the slabs, I just laid them! Alison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Oh How awful. I hope you get your problem sorted soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Eeewww, at least you didn't see any actual rats . Sounds like you've done a thorough job - goodbye and good riddance rats . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Well done Alison I slabbed my runs (have 2 eglus and runs) several months ago after horses moved into the field next door. We had never had a problem with rats before the horses moved in Over the past few weeks, they have been tunneling under the slabs, possibly to make a nest? I have a guy coming over to lay bait on Monday as they are driving me mad by their tunneling I really hope the slabs work for you, but do get more poison just in case. Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 I have slabs under my Eglus, and there is evidence of tunneling at the moment. I flood the tunnels, using the hosepipe. I rebaited all my bait boxes yesterday too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 I have never seena a rat, or tunnels or anything. BUT decided to put bait down to see if it went and it has !! I have put a new tray down along the back of the shed (the girls can't get there) and put a rooftile over it between the shed and the fence to keep it dry. I am on my 4th tray now and will continue with this as they are obviously about somewhere. Louise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I just laid them! Just the slabs I hope! We're expecting our builders any day now to put in our cement base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuckoos Nest Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 If you can make the effort to take in the food overnight, or at least place it in a secure bin near the birds, you will drastically reduce the availability of food for the rodents. As winter draws in they will be looking for as many easy pickings as they can get. Reducing the food will make your baits more attractive. Rats will soon make a burrow near to a regular supply of food, so you need to be quite disciplined in your routines, and again you must keep any baiting secure and make sure you stick to the advice on the label. Hap-hazard baiting will do little in the long term, and if not done properly can cause resistance to build up in the species. Hampshire is fast becoming one of the many areas of the country that is experiencing what the media like to call "super rats". People with Rats on/in their property have a legal responsibility to control any infestations, it is rare for them to stay within your own boundaries so control is a must, if you don't want to upset neighbours. I hope I don't sound to high and mighty about rats, but after 20years experience in pest control you would be suprised how many call-outs are to properties that dont actually have the burrow/nest in. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 Steve ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodychill Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I would make sure that any slabs are cemented in, as we had a couple that we used as stepping stones and they managed to build a nest under there. We have a path that has been cemented in, the eglu and run sit on cemented bricks and food is never left out and things have been fine since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Yuk poor you - I dread the day we get a rat infestation - but no doubt they are there somewhere nearby . Hope this works for you. Am going to double check everything again this weekend for tell-tale signs and act if necessary. I am sure your girls will appreciate the slabs so they are safe from them as rats are really nasty to chooks if they have the chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
