Coop light problems!

[billathome65]

Ok the tell tale signs are there. A hole under the fence another hole at the side of the extension where the chucks are. We got a rat..... the hole is under the concrete base panel and on an angle down the side of the run seems the rat is trying to work out how to get in the run. so first attack I have buried a brick in front of the hole as the hole is going under next doors flags. told the wife to get some rat bait and if that don't work it will be the ferrets down there obviously as I don't know where the hole goes to I'm a little weary of sending the ferrets down there as the hole must have originated from somewhere under the flags. will keep you all informed.

 

Bill

Edited July 31, 2011 by Guest

[billathome65]

Ok cut a hole in a plastic planter and put down rat bait inside with a brick on top to keep the planter secure and the food secure from the dog etc if it aint been touched in a day or two I will move it inside the run. with the cover on it.

 

Bill

[Chucky Mama]

Ok cut a hole in a plastic planter and put down rat bait inside with a brick on top to keep the planter secure and the food secure from the dog etc

this really scares me, please please get a proper pet proof bait box.

[billathome65]

It's ok! The dog does not go out there but just taking precautions its more to keep it dry and in the line of run of the rats. there is no real way of the dog or other animals gaining access to the poison where it is placed.

 

Bill

 

Ps the brick is more of a bolder that cant be moved as easy as knocking a brick off.

[Egluntyne]

Some further advice re dealing with rats. here.

[loumabel]

I understand completely how you feel!! We had this problem a couple of weeks ago and had to take drastic action, changed feed shed and base, changed composter, strimmed like a crazy person and put down 3 bait traps and we have finally got the problem under control I think this year is a particularly bad year for rats as several people I know have had them in their gardens when they have never had a problem before. Good luck and I hope you get it sorted out soon.

[cooker]

We have a rat problem aswell. I had put down some poison in a bait box, it all got eaten wthin a week (is this normal, slightly concerned I have an army down there!) then we didn't see any for a while..... and then, the eggs started to be eaten during the day, I worried that the girls had taken to eaten their eggs, but then I found a load of egg shells under the house, I almost wish it was the girls!

I rang rentokill and they said they could come and lay poison but the rats would probably carry it around and it could be carried into the chicken run, so they chickens would have to be sent away for a week for the treatment...and that would cost £150!...

I feel a bit stuck! I have a rat bait box, but they are still here! I can see they come in by the fence, everytime I fill the hole they come in through they find another, the fence panel that borders the run does need replacing, its not ideal, and it would be difficult to make the run airtight.

 

One good thing, no eggs have been eaten all weekend, I think because we have been here all day, maybe I should just not go to work and the rats will all disappear

 

Rachel

[clucker1]

It is good that it has all been eaten as they have found the bait and now eating it and dying! Rats are not scared of humans if they are desperate for food (well ours weren't!!!) It may be the poison has got throught into their bodies and they have died. However, do not stop putting bait down, as there may be more still alive waiting to eat your delectable treat. Good luck in getting rid of the blighters! We used to live next to a railway line and had constant rat problems over 10 years, which the council's pest control dealt with, so I have learnt a lot about the stupid things!

[Chucky Mama]

Cooker you do need to keep refilling the bait box (daily).

[Christian]

Agree with CM. Fill the bait boxes all the time. It is good if they are coming back time and time again to eat the bait.

 

I leave my bait boxes out all year round. I only fill it once every 6 months now, but check it every month.

 

Garden centres sell bait boxes, but they are expensive. This place does them for a reasonable price -

 

http://www.countryfayre-countrystore.co.uk/rat-mouse-pest-control/rat-mouse-control/standard-rat-box-bait-station/prod_321.html

 

At least if the poison is in a bait box, it is much less likely to do any damage to other species.

[billathome65]

Well the brick i buried seems to have stopped them for now no more disturbed soil etc will check the bait in the next day or so but fingers crossed here.

 

Bill

[cooker]

thanks, I checked the bait box again today and it has all been taken again (thats two blocks taken in 2 days!). I have 5 eggs sat, 5 eggs sun and 1 today! theres a broken egg in the nest box, so something has been back, yuck!

 

I have been digging next to the fence today, hopefully they will be confused by this!

I wil keep filling the bait box, its good to hear its good to keep filling it, thankyou!

Rachel