Oh no.

Slow-worm · February 2023

This is a very new hole, it's at least 4 inches in diameter - I thought it was too big for rats but it probably isn't..
Now, the dilemma I have is the bank of soil - I was going to dig it out a couple of years ago but discovered miner bees were living in it.. I don't know if they're still there, so if I do dig it out I risk killing the babies.. but I don't want rats.

thevictorian · February 2023

Rats don't like disturbance so I'd try putting something in the hole (not completely blocking it) or just making it clear you are about by making noise etc.

Our allotment neighbour always pee's around his sweetcorn to stop rats, and it seems to work so a little of that might help if your ok doing it.

I think disturbing the soil will impact on the bees unless you can wait a few months until they have emerged, which with rats you aren't going to want to.

Slow-worm · February 2023

Thanks, I'd forgotten about the pee thing. There are still bee holes there, so I've disturbed the area away from them, removed some boarding, put some soil in the hole, and sprinkled camphor oil around.
I've got a cage trap somewhere.
Here I go not feeding the birds again. 😢

Oh no.

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