Hi ,to kill the rats and not other wildlife,simply take a 12 inch piece of plastic drain pipe about 3/4 inches dia, cut a 2inch square in the middle,place this inside a 12 inch piece of drain pipe slightly larger than the first also with the same hole cut in it ,line the holes up, inset the bait and twist the outside pipe to cover the hole,place the pipes into position and put a brick/weight on it to secure it ,, very rarely do the rats die in the pipe but if so simply tip the pipe into dustbin and empty without touching or even seeing, cats /dogs cant get in ,all you have to do is make the pipes not to big, easy and its worked on the allotments for a long ,long time, and the never needs replacing. easy and clean. Alan
Just to add to Alans post, place it at the back of your border or wall as rats like to keep close to something when they track. We fix a slate or rock very close to the ends, just leaving room for rat to get in.
As some one pointed out on yet another newly started 'Rat' thread, the stuff you buy in B&Q is useless, go to the Farmers store and buy the Neosorexa, for farmers use, that is the Gold, its very potent and very quick.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
Hi Artjak,no remember you have turned the outside pipe only so the inside pipe square hole is now gone, just as Lyn says leave them open just big enough for a rat to get in ,and they get through very very tiny holes,and the farmers stores are the best for rat poison,Neosorexa is the one ,obviosly Lyns done it all before.
Sorry. I couldn't answer any one earlier. I had a seizure and was out of service for a while. They come on out of the blue. Anyway I am ok at the moment, so wanted to let you all know the latest news. Plastic bottles attached to feeding station post worked a treat ,stopped Ratty in his tracks. Haven't put bird food back out yet though. Going to get a big tray attached underneath first. Have to visit Moles store in Hexham for rat poison when I feel a bit better. If all else fails, I am going to get a lion or maybe a tiger ???? ha,ha. Thankyou all again
Feeling a lot better thanks to all of you. I have come up with an idea. Old mobile attached to bottom of bird table with a recording of a dog barking, when Ratty appears ring the mobile. I know its a crazy idea, but if it works.
Posts
Hi ,to kill the rats and not other wildlife,simply take a 12 inch piece of plastic drain pipe about 3/4 inches dia, cut a 2inch square in the middle,place this inside a 12 inch piece of drain pipe slightly larger than the first also with the same hole cut in it ,line the holes up, inset the bait and twist the outside pipe to cover the hole,place the pipes into position and put a brick/weight on it to secure it ,, very rarely do the rats die in the pipe but if so simply tip the pipe into dustbin and empty without touching or even seeing, cats /dogs cant get in ,all you have to do is make the pipes not to big, easy and its worked on the allotments for a long ,long time, and the never needs replacing. easy and clean. Alan
Alan, do you block off the ends?
Just to add to Alans post, place it at the back of your border or wall as rats like to keep close to something when they track. We fix a slate or rock very close to the ends, just leaving room for rat to get in.
As some one pointed out on yet another newly started 'Rat' thread, the stuff you buy in B&Q is useless, go to the Farmers store and buy the Neosorexa, for farmers use, that is the Gold, its very potent and very quick.
Hi Artjak,no remember you have turned the outside pipe only so the inside pipe square hole is now gone, just as Lyn says leave them open just big enough for a rat to get in ,and they get through very very tiny holes,and the farmers stores are the best for rat poison,Neosorexa is the one ,obviosly Lyns done it all before.
Glad you're back in full working order again Zara
and glad you're having success in foiling Ratty's tricks. Good luck with the felines 
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
My tom will not touch a rat! I. Hope it stays that way, you can get horendous vet bills from a rat bitten cat.
Hope your ok Zara ,get yourself fit ,Christmas on its way OOOOOOOps sorry slipped out,Merry Thursday
As rats are mostly only active through the night, I fail to see how this will work, all the time you leave them, they are breeding more and more.
Do you have neighbours, they will be plagued with them as well.