Every time i read the thread headline, i get this mental picture of a bird sitting at a table alongside some rats having lunch together. Napkins and cutlery too.
I would say that there must be a bigger food source then just your bird feeder to have such numbers big rats. If you are seeing that many in daylight while you are sat there then there will be many more unseen.
Word is they were found in my near neighbour's garden @Wilderbeast where there are/were pigeons, but it has been difficult to find much out with all these restrictions on personal movement. I've said it before but I know more about the US elections than what is happening in my own village!
And @Fallon is right @Balgay.Hill that picture is a still from a video, they are fast. So no bird feeding 'til I can come up with something, very upsetting.
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." Sir Terry Pratchett
As you say @Fire and just as big a problem. I did manage to speak to my neighbour (four doors down) and he told me they had got rid of the pigeons but NDN has just finished building a 'bungalow' they refer to as the summerhouse and they leave their dog food out so I may still have problems.
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." Sir Terry Pratchett
I think, like covid, rats are a collective problem (unless you are in far flung farm miles from anyone else). It probably needs to be addressed collectively or the rats will just keep coming. I do think faeces is a problem. But then again, rats will eat anything.
I think, like covid, rats are a collective problem (unless you are in far flung farm miles from anyone else). It probably needs to be addressed collectively or the rats will just keep coming. I do think faeces is a problem. But then again, rats will eat anything.
You are right. Neighbours need to be involved too in getting rid of them, but some folk just won't face up to it, and do nothing. If they can't see them they don't care. I have found after alerting others on our local FB group, people were horrified to know there were rats around but did nothing about it. I only knew myself after I saw a couple in my garden in broad daylight and knew there would be more. After I started laying poison and it has been taken all summer, it shows how many there are.
Indeed a collective problem but covid has made co-ordinating efforts a bit difficult. My back garden is surrounded by sheltered accommodation so I and my neighbours under 'house arrest' have shouted conversations (some louder than others depending on the neighbour) which is not ideal. Bad weather makes it even more difficult.
The housing association that manages the sheltered housing have sent a professional in but I'm not sure yet of the outcome or what action they might take.
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." Sir Terry Pratchett
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And @Fallon is right @Balgay.Hill that picture is a still from a video, they are fast. So no bird feeding 'til I can come up with something, very upsetting.
The housing association that manages the sheltered housing have sent a professional in but I'm not sure yet of the outcome or what action they might take.