@Ben-Jovi Whilst I can understand that you don't want the rats infesting your garden, your method of catching and releasing the rats elsewhere is is not a responsible act. If you and your companions continue in this vein, then you must accept that all you are doing is helping them to spread and breed and cause problems for other as well as yourselves in the long run.. You fail to say why you don't want them ? Do you consider them dangerous to your health in some way ? If you do, then there's only one answer. Quoting vegetarians, vegans, animal rights activists is simply a Get Out clause. Buddhists - yes fair enough but then give the task of humane killing to another member of your community. No one is suggesting that your companions will be eating the rats so that shouldn't be an issue and as for the animal rights, I doubt they are out on the streets demanding Rat Protection. Stop putting the food waste in your compost - in a community such as you describe, you should have very little other than raw veg and lawn trimmings, as well as the usual brown stuff. If you are unable to deal with the rats, your best solution would be to club together and employ a recommended Pest Control company.
I don't know if ingredients have changed, but I've seen rats after eating poison, (strychnine?), it's a very slow, very painful death, it's horrible to see - we may not like them or want them near us - with good reason, but no creature deserves that. I wouldn't want dead rats rotting in a loft/roof or wall cavity either! What happens to the wildlife who eat the poisoned bodies, do they get affected like hedgehogs & slug poison?
Air-gun, Cat or a good Jack-Russell would be my option. No time here for Rats. Child next door was bitten by one, and it was touch and go for a few days.
Not particularly wise to suggest getting a cat or a dog if it's simply for getting rid of rats - if someone already has either of these, then yes, they can certainly help. The increased ownership of both causes its own problems. Air gun is also fine if you are a good shot and ensure that you don't risk firing outside your own property. Your experience of your NDN's child is certainly worth pointing out too.
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You fail to say why you don't want them ? Do you consider them dangerous to your health in some way ? If you do, then there's only one answer.
Quoting vegetarians, vegans, animal rights activists is simply a Get Out clause. Buddhists - yes fair enough but then give the task of humane killing to another member of your community. No one is suggesting that your companions will be eating the rats so that shouldn't be an issue and as for the animal rights, I doubt they are out on the streets demanding Rat Protection.
Stop putting the food waste in your compost - in a community such as you describe, you should have very little other than raw veg and lawn trimmings, as well as the usual brown stuff.
If you are unable to deal with the rats, your best solution would be to club together and employ a recommended Pest Control company.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
They're not snakes, and even if they were, they're not vermin.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
I wouldn't want dead rats rotting in a loft/roof or wall cavity either!
What happens to the wildlife who eat the poisoned bodies, do they get affected like hedgehogs & slug poison?
My "worrying" comment was with reference to the rats.
Having had mice in the house, anything larger and more damaging is not a happy thought.
Your experience of your NDN's child is certainly worth pointing out too.