Jobs & Education3 mins ago
Rats.
30 Answers
I've discovered today that rats have taken-up residence in my compost bin & garden shed...eating my home-grown spuds.
What's the most effective way to get rid of them?
What's the most effective way to get rid of them?
Answers
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Well, I'll agree with the first part of Dave222's post, but not the second.
I love rats. They're beautiful creatures who, through no fault of their own, occasionally cause problems for another species who're probably less intelligent than they are. (i.e.humans).
If somebody suggested torturing, or killing, a species like otters, there'd be howls of protest. Rats are just as beautiful and desereve our respect and proection.
So I certainly support the use of humane traps (but not the rest of Dave2222's post). Then all you need to do is to drive to somewhere in the contryside, away from housing, to deliver your new furry friends to somewhere where they can live without annoying humans. (Please, please, please, never use the standard rat poisons. They kill rats by inducing internal bleeding, resulting in incredible pain).
This is a commercial website but it offers some useful advice:
http://www.rattraps.org.uk/Rat-Traps/default.a spx
Chris
(PS: If I had your problem, my own solution would simply be to buy a supply of corn, so that I could provide the rats with a more tempting diet, well away from the spuds).
I love rats. They're beautiful creatures who, through no fault of their own, occasionally cause problems for another species who're probably less intelligent than they are. (i.e.humans).
If somebody suggested torturing, or killing, a species like otters, there'd be howls of protest. Rats are just as beautiful and desereve our respect and proection.
So I certainly support the use of humane traps (but not the rest of Dave2222's post). Then all you need to do is to drive to somewhere in the contryside, away from housing, to deliver your new furry friends to somewhere where they can live without annoying humans. (Please, please, please, never use the standard rat poisons. They kill rats by inducing internal bleeding, resulting in incredible pain).
This is a commercial website but it offers some useful advice:
http://www.rattraps.org.uk/Rat-Traps/default.a spx
Chris
(PS: If I had your problem, my own solution would simply be to buy a supply of corn, so that I could provide the rats with a more tempting diet, well away from the spuds).
You can't encourage them Chris - you know how they breed! With a supply of nice food, poor carrust'd soon be overrun by them!
Snare them, carrust and then let them go, as Chris said. Rats are intelligent animals, and much maligned. The thing is, you don't want them anywhere near your shed or home, because of Weil's Disease, mainly, but it's not fair to kill them, because at the very least you'd be dimishing the food chain. x
Snare them, carrust and then let them go, as Chris said. Rats are intelligent animals, and much maligned. The thing is, you don't want them anywhere near your shed or home, because of Weil's Disease, mainly, but it's not fair to kill them, because at the very least you'd be dimishing the food chain. x
actually dave2222 I'm quite disturbed and disgusted at your reply.
I wouldn't go quite as far as Chris to say the common rat is a beautiful creature (though they are intelligent creatures and domestic ones can make good pets) but you are suggesting burning an animal alive because it's pleasing to you In my opinion that makes you (dave2222) a barbarian.
I wouldn't go quite as far as Chris to say the common rat is a beautiful creature (though they are intelligent creatures and domestic ones can make good pets) but you are suggesting burning an animal alive because it's pleasing to you In my opinion that makes you (dave2222) a barbarian.
the human race is the only species in the world that will kill in the name of sport (fun!!) and that is just not right!!
Killing other animals for food is natural and has been how it has worked for "ever"
Killing other animals for "sport" or for "fun" is a totally human thing and something we should be ashamed of!
Killing other animals for food is natural and has been how it has worked for "ever"
Killing other animals for "sport" or for "fun" is a totally human thing and something we should be ashamed of!
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We live in the middle of agricultural country and near a farm and are experiencing more problems with rats than ever before. We are using the humane traps and then shooting the rats we catch - a quick, instant death. I don't like killing anything, but there is no other solution I am afraid.
I don't hate rats, far from it, but they are verminous and carry disease and we have to control them otherwise we would be overrun. (Please don't encourage people to take them out in the country - we have enough!!!!)
I don't hate rats, far from it, but they are verminous and carry disease and we have to control them otherwise we would be overrun. (Please don't encourage people to take them out in the country - we have enough!!!!)
buy a cat, the farm next to the one i grew up on was infested with them when te owner died, the new owner bought a couple of cats to live in the barns an they never saw rats again.
Chuckfickens: i disagree with your comment saying humans are the onl;y species to kill for fun, having grown up around working farms i have witnessed the results of foxes and other wild animals killing chickens, sheep and over livestock and then leaving the bodies intact without even a nibble out of them so they werent killed for food
Chuckfickens: i disagree with your comment saying humans are the onl;y species to kill for fun, having grown up around working farms i have witnessed the results of foxes and other wild animals killing chickens, sheep and over livestock and then leaving the bodies intact without even a nibble out of them so they werent killed for food
I really love rats I have had domesticated rats as pets and they are sooooo cute.
When I see people screaming at them on 'i'm a celeb get me out of here' I just laugh, I want to roll around with the rats stroking and talking in a baby voice. I love watching them in films too and think about them being 'rat actors' and wonder if they get paid in cheese lol
Please try and do the most humane method because they are extremely clever little furry things they don't know they are upsetting you they are just going to their version of McDonalds for a big mac and fries.
When I see people screaming at them on 'i'm a celeb get me out of here' I just laugh, I want to roll around with the rats stroking and talking in a baby voice. I love watching them in films too and think about them being 'rat actors' and wonder if they get paid in cheese lol
Please try and do the most humane method because they are extremely clever little furry things they don't know they are upsetting you they are just going to their version of McDonalds for a big mac and fries.
I too don't like killing things for fun, live & let live etc. However, the family next door have 2 boys who are always in the garden playing, & if they caught something nasty off the rats I wouldn't be able to live with myself !
The method I'm using (traps), I think is the most humane way of killing them. I don't like poisoning, & the thought of catching them & letting them go is absurd.
The method I'm using (traps), I think is the most humane way of killing them. I don't like poisoning, & the thought of catching them & letting them go is absurd.
i think what u are doing is the best it quick and sudden, you might just have to try different food stuffs to trap them like sticky food which is difficult to quickly pick up and run off with like melted chocolate, and try and hide the traps somewhere hidden covered over so they think it's more safe, as apposed to in the middle of an open area.
There is an awful lot of difference between lovely cuddly pet rats and the wild rats! Pet rats are not verminous for a start and are bred in captivity. I would happily have a pet rat (but my JR terrier would make short work of it).
Unfortunately the best way is to trap them and kill them. If you lived in a situation where rats (like I am) abound there is no way you would trap them and then let them go.
Weils disease is quite common in Norfolk and it's a very serious nasty disease and often fatal.
My dog caught a huge rat just by our back door on Saturday night - one less rat and a little dog with some nasty bites on her face!
Unfortunately the best way is to trap them and kill them. If you lived in a situation where rats (like I am) abound there is no way you would trap them and then let them go.
Weils disease is quite common in Norfolk and it's a very serious nasty disease and often fatal.
My dog caught a huge rat just by our back door on Saturday night - one less rat and a little dog with some nasty bites on her face!
