The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Techniques and skills => Topic started by: Marlin.45 on February 09, 2015, 10:37:51 pm

Title: Which rat/mouse poison?
Post by: Marlin.45 on February 09, 2015, 10:37:51 pm

Our bit of land seems to be infested with mice as the PO never bothered with any format of control accept around one barn. So far we have built up to 7 bait boxes over the year we have been here and the rats seem to have been cut back but the mice even make nests in the bait boxes....on top of the poison! After 2 weeks the boxes are usually empty.

I have tried a few types and the latest batch uses Diphacinone as the active ingredient impregnated into loose blur coloured grain.  What works for you guys?

Last week I discovered the little critters had decided to treat the fuel lines in our old Land Rover as a source of a snack ;)

Title: Re: Which rat/mouse poison?
Post by: The Woodsiders on February 11, 2015, 05:45:14 pm

We were advised by our local rodent guy to get a product called Tom Cat, they are blocks of bait, they have a hole through the centre and you thread them onto string/bale twine and they seem to be doing the trick, the idea I believe is that they drag them back to the nest for the family meal :-J

I got mine from Mole Valley Farmers, a bit pricey but if they work, worth the money.

Title: Re: Which rat/mouse poison?
Post by: Marches Farmer on February 11, 2015, 05:49:56 pm

Active ingredient bromodialone works for us.  They may not take it for several days - don't like novelty, but once you've identified a run or nest hole just refresh it every day until it stops disappearing, in which case you've probably destroyed that particular nest.  If you have a big problem new families will just move into the vacant territory, however.  Be particularly vigilant in the Autumn, when they're selecting their winter quarters.

Title: Re: Which rat/mouse poison?
Post by: shep53 on February 11, 2015, 08:51:49 pm

 Tomcat blocks here after trying different loose baits

Title: Re: Which rat/mouse poison?
Post by: Carse Goodlifers on February 11, 2015, 09:46:51 pm

I have to say that we used B&Q poison bags and they seemed to work.
I have to say that in the house we used traps with the B&Q rodent bait and it worked a treat.
Using traps - at least you know that they are dying.
We got 9 mice in the bathroom cupboard in one day.

Title: Re: Which rat/mouse poison?
Post by: Marlin.45 on February 12, 2015, 05:25:51 pm

Cheers all.

Luckily we haven't had any noticeable issues with rodents in the house, though there is evidence of droppings in the attics but they may be bats related anyway. I will have to get up there and do a finger test ;)

Cheers for the heads up on the Bromo blocks. I will get and try some of those.