Thanks Waterbuffalofarmer - we're using the air rifle - it's what to do with them once they're dead.
I'm not sure the flower beds would work - the dog is so keen on catching the rats i think she'd dig them up. I just wondered if there was a correct way to dispose of them.
Not part of this thread, but I do have another question - we have some (donkey) feed from last winter which we need to dispose of, it's in a metal bin but we've bought a fresh sack, but not sure how to dispose of the old stuff either. Obviously want to avoid it attracting more rats!
Thanks