Author Topic: looking for natural rat control - North Fife (Read 1978 times)

northfifeduckling · « **on:** July 31, 2018, 09:03:26 pm »

This year's been a bumper year for them, I'm sure they're even nesting in the ivy and up some trees

- we have sparrowhawks taking them and probably owls as well so I don't want to mess with poison now. Anyone local with ferrets who would be willing to come out and hunt them, if yes, how much would that cost?

doganjo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2018, 09:14:31 pm »

I have a rat problem in my garage (hen and duck house not for the car). I bought a couple of plastic easy used traps - the wooden ones were impossible to set with my hands not being strong - I can used my feet to set these.

They are preloaded with bait and you can buy a tube of it to re-bait it. So far I've only caught/killed two so I think the rest of them must be staying out in the fine weather. Not seen any sign of them either.

I know where they are nesting in winter - tarpaulins over the dog runs with glasswool insulation, so a friend's son is going to take that down next month and hopefully they won't want to stay.

Maysie · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2018, 10:40:34 am »

The professional rat baiting boxes that I have can also be fitted with spring traps (internally) in lieu of poison, so the trap is kept well away from dogs/cats etc. Then bait with peanut butter or something similar.

Fleecewife · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2018, 11:11:05 am »

Quote from: Maysie on August 23, 2018, 10:40:34 am

The professional rat baiting boxes that I have can also be fitted with spring traps (internally) in lieu of poison, so the trap is kept well away from dogs/cats etc. Then bait with peanut butter or something similar.

Where are these available?

It certainly is a major rat year. Unfortunately our two terriers are really too old to keep them under control now, although one did catch a young rat and is still very proud of himself for it. We also use an air gun, with a certain degree of success. The problem is bird feeders - all our livestock feed is kept in metal containers, but the birds tip lots of grain over the edge of their feeders and the rats pick it up underneath. We will slab under the feeders so it can be swept every evening, but now the rats are here they won't go away in a hurry, so we are looking for another prong of attack.

northfifeduckling · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2018, 01:18:45 pm »

I have a bait box, which I have used previously with some success. My concern is the carrion of dead rats or poisoned rats getting eaten by owls and Hawks. Trying to be more mindful about wildlife.

Fleecewife · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2018, 01:24:06 pm »

Quote from: northfifeduckling on August 23, 2018, 01:18:45 pm

I have a bait box, which I have used previously with some success. My concern is the carrion of dead rats or poisoned rats getting eaten by owls and Hawks. Trying to be more mindful about wildlife.

The bait box [member=175813]Maysie[/member] is recommending sounds as if you can use a trap inside, with poison free bait, so any dead rats are not accessible to wildlife or pets/livestock. This is what is making me curious as we currently use poisoned bait traps in the attic, but we have never found a poisoned corpse outside.

Maysie · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2018, 01:29:24 pm »

^^^ That is correct.

I have just had a quick Google and cant see them on there, so I will take a look at mine later today and see if I can find any branding on them.

We have the same issue with Owls, Buzzards and Red Kites, So I really don't like using poisons.

Maysie · « **Reply #7 on:** August 23, 2018, 01:35:16 pm »

These are very similar to the ones that I have:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-RAT-SNAP-TRAP-2-x-EXTERNAL-RODENT-PROTECTOR-BOX-GREEN-NO-POISON-SOLUTION/122714249768?hash=item1c9256da28:g:qakAAOSwikdapFDu

They still need weighting down if used outside.

northfifeduckling · « **Reply #8 on:** August 23, 2018, 02:36:07 pm »

Quote from: Maysie on August 23, 2018, 10:40:34 am

The professional rat baiting boxes that I have can also be fitted with spring traps (internally) in lieu of poison, so the trap is kept well away from dogs/cats etc. Then bait with peanut butter or something similar.

What's your success rate with those, Maysie?

Maysie · « **Reply #9 on:** August 23, 2018, 02:57:57 pm »

We certainly managed to get our rat problem under control, but of course I do not know how many we did NOT get!

I would say that the traps are less effective than traditional (good quality) poison, but they are still a very useful tool in the armoury when poisons should not be used.

Obviously all the usual tricks apply still with regards to getting them used to the boxes for a few days, placing them around edges etc etc