Getting rid of rats
-
- Zander
- Posts: 9892
- Joined: Sat Aug 27 2011 05:00
Getting rid of rats
Lads, i,ve got a rat problem in my outside shed, been laying mousetraps and last night, two mousetraps with dead mice in had been moved , one mouse was torn apart, seen rat droppings as well. I,ve had rat traps down for couple of weeks but so far nothing. I,ve got a dog so i,m worried about putting poison down in the shed , haven,t got ferrets anymore or a jack russel, any ideas. Cant even own an air rifle in Northern Ireland without a licence , what should i do, dont want to end up poisoning my dog.
-
- Chub
- Posts: 1204
- Joined: Sat Mar 26 2016 09:40
Re: Getting rid of rats
Probs old rat s**t and mice eating the dead mice If your not catching the odd rat I’d be surprised if you have any rats
-
- Perch
- Posts: 955
- Joined: Fri Feb 09 2018 15:15
- Location: S.W.Scotland
Re: Getting rid of rats
Have the rat traps been set off ?
- Mike J
- Ferox Trout
- Posts: 11094
- Joined: Wed Nov 09 2016 09:26
- Location: Wessex
Re: Getting rid of rats
Same problems but well under control.
Methods and kills
24/7/365 Fenn mk4 = 2
As reqd. Walther = 8 (last 8.15 today)
Fenn is in a box and baited with fat. Walther at covered zero baited with grain.
PM sent.
Methods and kills
24/7/365 Fenn mk4 = 2
As reqd. Walther = 8 (last 8.15 today)
Fenn is in a box and baited with fat. Walther at covered zero baited with grain.
PM sent.
'No Man Ever Fishes The Same River Twice, .... For It Is Not The Same River, .... And He Is Not The Same Man' Heraclitus of Ephesus
Re: Getting rid of rats
Get a walk in trap...cover it over so it's in a tunnel. Might take a week or so for them to get used to it, bait up with dry dog kibble.
-
- Stickleback
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sun Jun 14 2020 22:14
Re: Getting rid of rats
What type of shed is it? Place rat traps against walls inside, not in the middle of the floor. Use peanut butter or Nutella.
If you want to lay rodenticide, get rodenticide blocks, a wavin pipe, tie a wire throught the pipe and blocks and this will keep your dog safe.
Check rodenticide daily, if blocks are only being nibbled and bits of crumbs on the ground from them then its just mice you have.
If large chunks of block is eaten or all eaten then its rats.
Also rats are neophobic (have a fear of new things) so it may take a few days before you see any rat activity.
If you want to lay rodenticide, get rodenticide blocks, a wavin pipe, tie a wire throught the pipe and blocks and this will keep your dog safe.
Check rodenticide daily, if blocks are only being nibbled and bits of crumbs on the ground from them then its just mice you have.
If large chunks of block is eaten or all eaten then its rats.
Also rats are neophobic (have a fear of new things) so it may take a few days before you see any rat activity.
-
- Zander
- Posts: 9892
- Joined: Sat Aug 27 2011 05:00
Re: Getting rid of rats
Thanks for all the advice lads, much appreciated. I,ve set a few traps plus i,ve rigged up a bucket type trap i,ve seen on Youtube. I used to keep ferrets many moons ago, they would have sorted it.
-
- Barbel
- Posts: 3257
- Joined: Fri Mar 13 2015 20:28
Re: Getting rid of rats
Trapped a good few rats, will just add to what’s been said - Bacon !
- SmellySmelt
- Perch
- Posts: 581
- Joined: Mon Jul 06 2020 21:26
- Location: Northwest, Ireland
Re: Getting rid of rats
Neosorexa Rat Bait Blocks is what I used in spring, it was very effective. I also had 10 fens down too. But the rat poison had them sorted in 3 weeks. Tie it down so they eat it there and then not take it away and store it. By the way applewood smoked cheese is a serious bait if you need to bait a trap.
-
- Roach
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Sun Dec 04 2011 06:00
Re: Getting rid of rats
Not sure about rats but those glue traps are gruesome but effective for mice. Put a halibut pellet or a bit of biscuit in the middle.
- Cyprio
- Chub
- Posts: 2478
- Joined: Sat Oct 24 2015 22:02
- Location: Suffolk
Re: Getting rid of rats
john hufton wrote: ↑Sat Nov 14 2020 00:13 -As if you need to worry about Rats or mice,Not sure about rats but those glue traps are gruesome but effective for mice. Put a halibut pellet or a bit of biscuit in the middle.
You just open the door and put ”Monty” in for a couple of hours!
Job done
Andy Carpenter
-
- Perch
- Posts: 723
- Joined: Fri Oct 25 2019 11:29
Re: Getting rid of rats
Why are they in the shed? What's there for them to eat.
No snap= no vermin. They don't come in for a warm.
No snap= no vermin. They don't come in for a warm.
-
- Stickleback
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Sun Jan 19 2020 20:57
Re: Getting rid of rats
The wire cage walk in traps are good, but as has been said they take a while to get used to them and you also have a live rat to deal with. Once one rat has been caught the others follow quickly. Be careful with poison unless you know where the rats are nesting the smell of the decomposing bodies is something else
-
- Barbel
- Posts: 3053
- Joined: Thu Sep 25 2014 00:11
- Location: Barnsley
Re: Getting rid of rats
I sell rat bait. The new stuff is highly effective & rules out secondary poisoning, plus it works in just 2-3 days - so not long to keep your dog out of the way.
PM me if you want some posting @ Pikers Pit rates.
PM me if you want some posting @ Pikers Pit rates.
- Mike J
- Ferox Trout
- Posts: 11094
- Joined: Wed Nov 09 2016 09:26
- Location: Wessex
Re: Getting rid of rats
jonsykes wrote: ↑Mon Nov 16 2020 09:27 -I sell rat bait. The new stuff is highly effective & rules out secondary poisoning, plus it works in just 2-3 days - so not long to keep your dog out of the way.
PM me if you want some posting @ Pikers Pit rates.
I tried some new bait, in sachets that smell like bubble gum, it was accumulative and extremely effective because they didnt know it was poison until it was too late.
It cleared the rats but also the woodmice which clean up any dropped seeds and provide nightime viewing and why I returned to the old faithfuls.
.
'No Man Ever Fishes The Same River Twice, .... For It Is Not The Same River, .... And He Is Not The Same Man' Heraclitus of Ephesus
Re: Getting rid of rats
JohnCopeman wrote: ↑Sun Nov 15 2020 21:31 -They did in my bike shed. Bit up through the floor in 2 places and made a nest behind some storage containers. Filled the nest with stuff out the bird feeders.Why are they in the shed? What's there for them to eat.
No snap= no vermin. They don't come in for a warm.
Nothing to eat or drink in the shed before they chewed through the floor
-
- James Holgate Award Winner 2023
- Posts: 4080
- Joined: Sun Aug 28 2011 05:00
- Location: Snods Edge, Northumberland
Re: Getting rid of rats
Kev Berry wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24 2020 22:17 -Rats will often set up home close to a food source.JohnCopeman wrote: ↑Sun Nov 15 2020 21:31 -They did in my bike shed. Bit up through the floor in 2 places and made a nest behind some storage containers. Filled the nest with stuff out the bird feeders.Why are they in the shed? What's there for them to eat.
No snap= no vermin. They don't come in for a warm.
Nothing to eat or drink in the shed before they chewed through the floor
I have some at the minute in a shed close to a feeder I have for the hens and ducks, nothing but timber for starting sticks in there, they are not touching the poison I have down for them but I know they are there, terrier time I think.
Will.
Re: Getting rid of rats
Will Smith wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24 2020 23:15 -Well my Roland's got sorted and the overgrown pathway they were using to my property got cleared. The bird feeders have a table under them to catch dropped seed now. Not had one in the trap for a long time and the blocks of poison are only getting the odd nibble from mickey.Kev Berry wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24 2020 22:17 -Rats will often set up home close to a food source.JohnCopeman wrote: ↑Sun Nov 15 2020 21:31 -They did in my bike shed. Bit up through the floor in 2 places and made a nest behind some storage containers. Filled the nest with stuff out the bird feeders.Why are they in the shed? What's there for them to eat.
No snap= no vermin. They don't come in for a warm.
Nothing to eat or drink in the shed before they chewed through the floor
I have some at the minute in a shed close to a feeder I have for the hens and ducks, nothing but timber for starting sticks in there, they are not touching the poison I have down for them but I know they are there, terrier time I think.
Will.
- Mike J
- Ferox Trout
- Posts: 11094
- Joined: Wed Nov 09 2016 09:26
- Location: Wessex
Re: Getting rid of rats
Kev Berry wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25 2020 00:09 -Will Smith wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24 2020 23:15 -Well my Roland's got sorted and the overgrown pathway they were using to my property got cleared. The bird feeders have a table under them to catch dropped seed now. Not had one in the trap for a long time and the blocks of poison are only getting the odd nibble from mickey.Kev Berry wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24 2020 22:17 -Rats will often set up home close to a food source.JohnCopeman wrote: ↑Sun Nov 15 2020 21:31 -They did in my bike shed. Bit up through the floor in 2 places and made a nest behind some storage containers. Filled the nest with stuff out the bird feeders.Why are they in the shed? What's there for them to eat.
No snap= no vermin. They don't come in for a warm.
Nothing to eat or drink in the shed before they chewed through the floor
I have some at the minute in a shed close to a feeder I have for the hens and ducks, nothing but timber for starting sticks in there, they are not touching the poison I have down for them but I know they are there, terrier time I think.
Will.
My trap is the same, only 3 to Mr Fenn, think its time to put the safety on and let them restablish a runthrough.
They are still around (or were) as Walt and Nikko have accounted for 17.
Best trap Ive ever used was a 9" x 9" x 3ft double ended cage trap, trouble was it also caught hedgehogs.
.
'No Man Ever Fishes The Same River Twice, .... For It Is Not The Same River, .... And He Is Not The Same Man' Heraclitus of Ephesus
Re: Getting rid of rats
Mike J wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25 2020 10:15 -I stopped using tunnel traps cos of the hedgehogs Mike.Kev Berry wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25 2020 00:09 -Will Smith wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24 2020 23:15 -Well my Roland's got sorted and the overgrown pathway they were using to my property got cleared. The bird feeders have a table under them to catch dropped seed now. Not had one in the trap for a long time and the blocks of poison are only getting the odd nibble from mickey.Kev Berry wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24 2020 22:17 -Rats will often set up home close to a food source.JohnCopeman wrote: ↑Sun Nov 15 2020 21:31 -They did in my bike shed. Bit up through the floor in 2 places and made a nest behind some storage containers. Filled the nest with stuff out the bird feeders.Why are they in the shed? What's there for them to eat.
No snap= no vermin. They don't come in for a warm.
Nothing to eat or drink in the shed before they chewed through the floor
I have some at the minute in a shed close to a feeder I have for the hens and ducks, nothing but timber for starting sticks in there, they are not touching the poison I have down for them but I know they are there, terrier time I think.
Will.
My trap is the same, only 3 to Mr Fenn, think its time to put the safety on and let them restablish a runthrough.
They are still around (or were) as Walt and Nikko have accounted for 17.
Best trap Ive ever used was a 9" x 9" x 3ft double ended cage trap, trouble was it also caught hedgehogs.
.
best thing to sort em out is a fen---I used to scrape a small hole put a small dead fish in the hole, put the fen on top and riddle soil over it but not bury it---worked everytime usually next day there would be one in it.
Dont forget when using fens---tie it to something or tie it to a brick. Catch a big rat by one leg and it will run off with it---before chewing its own leg/foot off
-
- James Holgate Award Winner 2023
- Posts: 4080
- Joined: Sun Aug 28 2011 05:00
- Location: Snods Edge, Northumberland
Re: Getting rid of rats
Mike J wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25 2020 10:15 -Providing you were checking it on a daily basis Mike and releasing any non target species then no harm done eh Mike .Kev Berry wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25 2020 00:09 -Will Smith wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24 2020 23:15 -Well my Roland's got sorted and the overgrown pathway they were using to my property got cleared. The bird feeders have a table under them to catch dropped seed now. Not had one in the trap for a long time and the blocks of poison are only getting the odd nibble from mickey.Kev Berry wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24 2020 22:17 -Rats will often set up home close to a food source.JohnCopeman wrote: ↑Sun Nov 15 2020 21:31 -They did in my bike shed. Bit up through the floor in 2 places and made a nest behind some storage containers. Filled the nest with stuff out the bird feeders.Why are they in the shed? What's there for them to eat.
No snap= no vermin. They don't come in for a warm.
Nothing to eat or drink in the shed before they chewed through the floor
I have some at the minute in a shed close to a feeder I have for the hens and ducks, nothing but timber for starting sticks in there, they are not touching the poison I have down for them but I know they are there, terrier time I think.
Will.
My trap is the same, only 3 to Mr Fenn, think its time to put the safety on and let them restablish a runthrough.
They are still around (or were) as Walt and Nikko have accounted for 17.
Best trap Ive ever used was a 9" x 9" x 3ft double ended cage trap, trouble was it also caught hedgehogs.
.
Hedgehogs need our protection at the minute.
Will.
- Mike J
- Ferox Trout
- Posts: 11094
- Joined: Wed Nov 09 2016 09:26
- Location: Wessex
Re: Getting rid of rats
Kev Berry wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25 2020 20:16 -Mike J wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25 2020 10:15 -I stopped using tunnel traps cos of the hedgehogs Mike.Kev Berry wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25 2020 00:09 -Will Smith wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24 2020 23:15 -Well my Roland's got sorted and the overgrown pathway they were using to my property got cleared. The bird feeders have a table under them to catch dropped seed now. Not had one in the trap for a long time and the blocks of poison are only getting the odd nibble from mickey.Kev Berry wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24 2020 22:17 -Rats will often set up home close to a food source.JohnCopeman wrote: ↑Sun Nov 15 2020 21:31 -They did in my bike shed. Bit up through the floor in 2 places and made a nest behind some storage containers. Filled the nest with stuff out the bird feeders.Why are they in the shed? What's there for them to eat.
No snap= no vermin. They don't come in for a warm.
Nothing to eat or drink in the shed before they chewed through the floor
I have some at the minute in a shed close to a feeder I have for the hens and ducks, nothing but timber for starting sticks in there, they are not touching the poison I have down for them but I know they are there, terrier time I think.
Will.
My trap is the same, only 3 to Mr Fenn, think its time to put the safety on and let them restablish a runthrough.
They are still around (or were) as Walt and Nikko have accounted for 17.
Best trap Ive ever used was a 9" x 9" x 3ft double ended cage trap, trouble was it also caught hedgehogs.
.
best thing to sort em out is a fen---I used to scrape a small hole put a small dead fish in the hole, put the fen on top and riddle soil over it but not bury it---worked everytime usually next day there would be one in it.
Dont forget when using fens---tie it to something or tie it to a brick. Catch a big rat by one leg and it will run off with it---before chewing its own leg/foot off
My Fenn is inside a tunnel that has a raise floor so the rat steps straight onto the plate, the roof is -1" higher than the sprung trap and the entrance holes are 2" square and opposite each other, so the rat can look straight through. I use melted beef fat on the plate as bait.
I think lockdown is the reason its not been catching, seeing them moving around and employing the alternative before they found the trap.
[quote="Will Smith" post_
Providing you were checking it on a daily basis Mike and releasing any non target species then no harm done eh Mike .
Hedgehogs need our protection at the minute.
Will.
[/quote]
I made a 5"x5"x 2ft cage trap but Mrs Fattie my regular hedgie still managed to get inside, she went to sleep after a de-ticking and a feed from my wormery!
The Fenn has a catch indicator that can be seen from the kitchen window, the cage is scrap.
.
'No Man Ever Fishes The Same River Twice, .... For It Is Not The Same River, .... And He Is Not The Same Man' Heraclitus of Ephesus
-
- Barbel
- Posts: 3257
- Joined: Fri Mar 13 2015 20:28
Re: Getting rid of rats
Kev Berry wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25 2020 20:16 -* Rats are sods for chewing they’ll widen a concrete hole if they can get their teeth into it so chewing ones leg off is a walk in the park !Mike J wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25 2020 10:15 -I stopped using tunnel traps cos of the hedgehogs Mike.Kev Berry wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25 2020 00:09 -Will Smith wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24 2020 23:15 -Well my Roland's got sorted and the overgrown pathway they were using to my property got cleared. The bird feeders have a table under them to catch dropped seed now. Not had one in the trap for a long time and the blocks of poison are only getting the odd nibble from mickey.Kev Berry wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24 2020 22:17 -Rats will often set up home close to a food source.JohnCopeman wrote: ↑Sun Nov 15 2020 21:31 -They did in my bike shed. Bit up through the floor in 2 places and made a nest behind some storage containers. Filled the nest with stuff out the bird feeders.Why are they in the shed? What's there for them to eat.
No snap= no vermin. They don't come in for a warm.
Nothing to eat or drink in the shed before they chewed through the floor
I have some at the minute in a shed close to a feeder I have for the hens and ducks, nothing but timber for starting sticks in there, they are not touching the poison I have down for them but I know they are there, terrier time I think.
Will.
My trap is the same, only 3 to Mr Fenn, think its time to put the safety on and let them restablish a runthrough.
They are still around (or were) as Walt and Nikko have accounted for 17.
Best trap Ive ever used was a 9" x 9" x 3ft double ended cage trap, trouble was it also caught hedgehogs.
.
best thing to sort em out is a fen---I used to scrape a small hole put a small dead fish in the hole, put the fen on top and riddle soil over it but not bury it---worked everytime usually next day there would be one in it.
Dont forget when using fens---tie it to something or tie it to a brick. Catch a big rat by one leg and it will run off with it---before chewing its own leg/foot off
* Rats are like gypsies they’ll always live on the outskirts of a food source.
* Mikes idea of trapping is best as they have to physically pass over the trap.
-
- Roach
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Thu Nov 09 2017 12:44
- Location: Eire
Re: Getting rid of rats
Ive had rats a few times , mainly attracted around by my chickens and Ducks (excess food lying about ) but some strange people out there like dumping/ abandoning cats on the mountain side and I dont even like cats, ill throw the odd scrap out to them or maybe even a a nice cod head after a good days fishing but ever since the cats have moved in (wild outside under the boat )I ve never had a rat since or mice , you can spill some ground bait/particles in the tackle shed and its still there days later (I used to use poison blocks but was never a big fan of them as im alongside a mountain river and there is a lot of wild animals about , I'm starting to respect the cats now , not like them but they will still never cross the door of the house
-
- Roach
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Thu Feb 06 2014 00:37
- Location: Barnsley
Re: Getting rid of rats
I find the bait blocks work best but you need a bait station
-
- Chub
- Posts: 1204
- Joined: Sat Mar 26 2016 09:40
Re: Getting rid of rats
Just put 3 fenn mk 4s down, I’ve had a few in the live catch but they must have caught on and are going nowhere near it opting for chewing rubber matting instead, active holes so we shall see, I’ve built box tunnels ( not baited ) see how we do, bloody rats
- Don’tTellEmYourName
- Stickleback
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Sat Nov 14 2020 13:33
Re: Getting rid of rats
Stop feeding your dog. Seriously, can’t you borrow a mates Terrier for a while? It would have a great time.
This will come in handy even if I never use it.
- Mike J
- Ferox Trout
- Posts: 11094
- Joined: Wed Nov 09 2016 09:26
- Location: Wessex
Re: Getting rid of rats
Walter scored twice the other morning.
4.5grains of lead is the last meal they will ever eat.
.
4.5grains of lead is the last meal they will ever eat.
.
'No Man Ever Fishes The Same River Twice, .... For It Is Not The Same River, .... And He Is Not The Same Man' Heraclitus of Ephesus
- Mike J
- Ferox Trout
- Posts: 11094
- Joined: Wed Nov 09 2016 09:26
- Location: Wessex
Re: Getting rid of rats
Danoutdoors wrote: ↑Wed Dec 02 2020 17:00 -Just put 3 fenn mk 4s down, I’ve had a few in the live catch but they must have caught on and are going nowhere near it opting for chewing rubber matting instead, active holes so we shall see, I’ve built box tunnels ( not baited ) see how we do, bloody rats
Mr Fenn trap eliminates another.
The white tape goes through a hole in the side to indicate its caught and the wire used to release the safety catch.
.
.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
'No Man Ever Fishes The Same River Twice, .... For It Is Not The Same River, .... And He Is Not The Same Man' Heraclitus of Ephesus
-
- Chub
- Posts: 1204
- Joined: Sat Mar 26 2016 09:40
Re: Getting rid of rats
Mike J wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16 2020 11:12 -Fair play, I’m at zero for 3 traps currently, baited with peanut butter, I’ve got a live trap with all sorts of bait in and they are just not interested, I’m thinking they are eating the grains within some straw bails, I’ve seen them on cctv so know they are there, think I’m going to get a field cat, these rats really are giving me the run aroundDanoutdoors wrote: ↑Wed Dec 02 2020 17:00 -Just put 3 fenn mk 4s down, I’ve had a few in the live catch but they must have caught on and are going nowhere near it opting for chewing rubber matting instead, active holes so we shall see, I’ve built box tunnels ( not baited ) see how we do, bloody rats
Mr Fenn trap eliminates another.
IMG_2261.JPG
The white tape goes through a hole in the side to indicate its caught and the wire used to release the safety catch.
.
.