The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Helencus on March 29, 2010, 12:23:39 am
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We have a rats nest near our hen house and no matter how much poison I leave in rat boxes I can't get rid. We make sure there is no food left out over night. I try to minimise what they can get at but no matter what can't seem to get rid. Even tried traps but just caught a few unlucky birds. Any advice?
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Borrow a keen terrier!
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Leave rat poison in small poly bags. rats will take them back to the nest, babies will eat it too. Probably you are only killing the foragers. Do you have cats. Mine is a rat catcher. But I have to watch him and remove them as he would eat them too.
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Smoke um out and have a terrrier (or few) around to catch them, the ones that dont bolt either die from the smoke fumes or get dug out
We have 5 fab ratting terriers, of which 2 are great markers so ya no if there any still left down then we dig them out! We take them ratting most weekends all thru winter for a lot of the local farmers in ryedale
If i lived near by i glady come help you out but were not sorry, if ya ask about near you there will be some keen ratters awaiting some work ;D
Danielle
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Thanks. I can't have cats as my hubby is allergic unfortunately. I'll see if there is someone local with terriers. OH saw a huge one again today so we have to try something else.
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air rifle works a treat for me
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The poly bag idea sounds brilliant. Never thought of them taking the poison back to the nest.
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An old farmer told me that one. Apparently they won't open the bag and eat it there, they like to take food back to the nest if they can.
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The air rifle method works well too
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I'll give that a go too. Can't find anyone local with a terrier
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If ya try the local game keeper and beaters (usually always have terriers) or will no someone keen, or local young farmers, theres bound to be some young lads itching to work their dogs ;D
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The air rifle method works well too
A. Provided you have one
B. Or know someone who has
C. Provided you can aim and hit a moving target ;)
I certainly can't/don't
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Nor me Annie. I'll try the local countrystore they may know of someone
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We have a brilliant little cat who lives out in the tackoom with a cat flap and often in the morning when I go in to feed her there will ba a big rat left for me, she has made a huge difference around the yard.
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I'd love a cat but OH says no. When we get the stables and barn finished I may just get one to live outside.
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My OH doesn't like cats either especially the house one who has shredded the sofa and is now working on the new stair carpet. You would think that now he is about 14 he would have learned just to use his scratching post.
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Not unless it suited him too:-) OH doesn't dislike cats he's allergic to them. He put up with Monty as the allergy came on years after we got him but since he died 18 months ago he's never had to use his inhailer so I guess I have to think of his welfare. Makes a change I guess ;D
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Hello Helen did you read my post about a rat that took up residence in the out house here in Scartho?
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Hello George. no I didn't see that one
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Hello Helen Synopsis is We have a out house built over the back door at Scartho and we noticed some gnaw marks on the bottom of the door jamb The thing is made of a 3"x$" frame work and covered with T & G board outside and plasterboard inside.This rat took up residence in the cavity I set a trap and he was so well fed he never bothered so I left him a couple of poison lollies and he took bites out of one Wonderfull got you you sod.Oh no about a week after the smell was horrendous and about a month after the back way as we call it was full of blue bottles We were about 6 to 8 weeks from start to finish getting rid so be carefull he isn't under the house.Poison gets him but he pays you back PHEW ??? >:( ;D :farmer:
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Lol. At least you got him George. The nest is a good way from the house it's right by the chicken coop in the river bank. These must be well fed also as not touching poison keep nipping into chicken run and stealing hens food.