Any chance of natural rat control??

[rutineli]

In common with most of my neighbours I enjoy feeding the wild garden birds which afford us a great deal of pleasure all of the year round.

Of course I end up feeding the grey squirrels too and even have a family of hegehogs and some badgers. The problem is that I have also attracted as family of brown garden rats who are not at all popular with my neighbours.

I don't suppose that there is any chance that the badgers will eat the rats for us is there???? Or must I stop feeding altogther ?

That would be a dreadfull disappointment.

Any chance of "you who know" out there having some ideas to save the day. I know it is not very fair, just because of a few cosmetic details and diseases, but who said it was meant to be fair??

Look forward to hearing from you soon

rutineli

Yes, I have read through the problems of those with similar problems but ANY ADVICE IS WELCOME

[burnhal]

badgers will eat rodents given half a chance- but more likely mice! Most of their diet is earthworms! I think your rats are unfortunately fairly safe from the badgers. Rat poisin obviously not the answer with so much other wildlife about. I have had in the past had to resort to the only surefire rat killer I know- lead poisining- from the barrel of a .22 air rifle

[Thunderbird+]

I fully understand the sensibility of your question. My advice is, contiue to enjoy feeding the wild birds as you have been but try to carefully ration the food, little and often I'd say, making sure not to leave any surplus or spillage, you can get some pretty good feeders specificly designed for birds these days but even with these, rats will be on the look-out for falling crubs etc and their cunning should never be under estimated, which I have to admire and when it comes to breeding they leave rabbits in the shade. If you've seen any around during the day, you can bet your bottom dollar theres many more about at night. If they do get out of hand, I think it could turn out to be a nightmare for you and your neighbours, I've seen this happen where my mother lives. Local authority pest control oppretives do have equipment ie poison bait traps, designed only to allow rats to enter but poisoned rats are not a pretty sight and can take a while to work due to resistance, personally I prefer burnhal's lead poisoning method, at least it quick without any lingering pain and I dont mind admiting thats how I control them If any appear in my garden. Diseases they carry can be fatal to pets as well as humans ie wiels/ leptospirosis.

I once saw a pretty scarey ducumentry on rat infestations and one interesting fact that researchers found was that rate hate any changes in their imediate environment, objects moved around seemed to unnerve them and caused them to move on.

At the rate they breed, I dont think natural predetors or even domestic cats will have much effect. Sorry if I sound so negative but thats just the way I see it. Good Luck.

[King Normie]

I would suggest rat poison but that would also do in the grey squirrels! Some folk love squirrels! I do, also! They make great stew, barbeque & green chile mix!

Maybe a Rat Terrier?

[WendyS]

Rutineli - I really sympathised with your question because we are currently experiencing exactly the same problem, and in the past 2 or 3 weeks have had two families of grey rats (with cute little babies) taking over our garden. I would "live and let live" if they weren't becoming increasingly tame & in danger of invading our constantly open patio door, and the fact that they were roaming freely through my vegetable patch and I was worried about Weils disease infecting the soil. We feed the birds and squirrels too, and now try to restrict our feeding to nut cages hanging from the fence and the bird table (although clever rats can climb onto that too and even climb the fences to get at the nut cages. . If you have visiting foxes they might eat the rats, or possibly local cats, but they move incredibly quickly and are not easy to catch. To be honest, I love watching the rats. They are incredibly clever but have now had to resort to rat poison with a very heavy heart as I don't have a shotgun. Visiting friends have been absolutely horrified to see a rat or two sitting quite calmly on our patio without my turning a hair, but the problem is, two rats can become 20 almost overnight with their breeding capacity. The only other solution is a human rat trap which costs about �30

[commoner]

..mm...I have heard Grey Squirrels described as "tree rats". Undoubtably they are little better than rats when compared to the wonderful, totally harmless Red Suirrels that I used to know and love.........sadly in my area at least, now extinct primarilly the fault of the Greys........I agree they are fun to watch but how anyone can find rats pleasant and enjoy watching them is beyond me.........disgusting things. UGH!

[rutineli]

Blue Museli for Ratus brekky in the morning or even an asccidental safe harbour to dock my ship.
Failing that it is the lead asprin
All good clean fun now innit ?

[rutineli]

The Blue Museli has been placed into delicate little bone China bowls under the shed. A little natural rain water to eliminate the possibility of any aftertaste or ' simlar.


We'll tan his hyde when he's died Clyde
Then place it hangin on the shed

What is the bettting Ratus Ratus is too smart for all of that old fanny??? rutineli