Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Bobbys Girl]

My OH spotted a visitor in the run this am, had a suspicion yesterday that we had an unwelcome visitor.... needless to say it turned out to be a rat.

 

Pleased to say it has now been dealt with and is with us no longer

 

Any further info or advice would be really appreciated, it only arrived in the last couple of days and think it may have come in off the fields for winter? (we live in a village). What steps can we take to try to stop an invasion (don't want to put down poison because of pets etc) although I'm sure the OH likes the target practice

 

If we had one does that mean there's more? or could it just have stumbled across us? Worried about it turning into an invasion

[Egluntyne]

This article from the FAQ section offers some advice on how to deal with rats.

[Bobbys Girl]

Thanks for that, lots of good information.

 

One other question? Although we have only spotted one does it always mean there's more that we haven't seen yet? The tracks only appeared on Sun and as I said rat was shot this am.

 

Thanks again

[The Dogmother]

I'd check for runs and droppings and put down bait boxes. A secure bait box using granular bait ought to be safe with other livestock, but check with your local pest control service.