I think you need to look for the source of all these rats - I don't mean go out and look yourself, I mean ask around. I live on the edge of a village where people keep chickens and horses so there are always rats in the hay and feed stores and my cats catch and kill the babies but you never see a live one. The numbers you are suggesting seem to indicate a serious problem and the local council should be informed because the property responsible for this nuisance may well be required to take action to control it.
I'm not a good sleeper. So an early good morning to every one. Ratty tends to be in the garden first light, during the afternoon and then just before it gets dark. Strangely enough the rats haven't been as active yesterday, possibly due to a new cat in the neighbourhood. However not going to take any chances. Going to put every ones ideas to the test, including the rat mobile.
The person who is having problems with the grey squirrels may want to try out my new invention and we can name that one squirrel mobile. Hey I can hear you all laughing, are well no harm done. Anything's worth a try. Rats and squirrels are quite intelligent,they might answer the phone and ask for some more food. I'm away now before you all think I'm going nuts. Nuts do you get it?
Morning Posy. I should say good morning , but the weather is awful here . Hope it's better where you are. Catch up with you and the rest of the garden gang later with the latest Ratty news.
In my experience a good hunting cat will kill plenty of young rats - I've seen it happen on farms - but it's rarely that a cat will tackle a fully-grown rat and it's likely to come away with some nasty bites if it tries.
But of course, if you've got a cat getting rid of the young rats that's half (or even three quarters) of the problem solved at least it's keeping the population under control.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
perhaps on a farm cats are expected to ern there living so hungry enough or with a litter to feed a cat just might go for it, Question Dove ,ex farm girl, do cats on a farm ever group up for a kill as some wild cats do.just a thought. dim erein,
I have had cats all my life and many of them will tackle adult rats but they must be young, strong and powerful cats, and brave, too. Baby rats are much less trouble and solve our problems just as well. I have seen cats hunting the same prey but they are not cooperating so much as competing and whichever gets the mouse first will run off with and defend it. The only time they work together, in my experience, is when a mother teaches her kittens.
A great deal is said against cats by gardeners, and I'm not keen on their mess in the borders either, but in the country they are worth their weight in gold.
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Zara Dragons Den 4 u
I think you need to look for the source of all these rats - I don't mean go out and look yourself, I mean ask around. I live on the edge of a village where people keep chickens and horses so there are always rats in the hay and feed stores and my cats catch and kill the babies but you never see a live one. The numbers you are suggesting seem to indicate a serious problem and the local council should be informed because the property responsible for this nuisance may well be required to take action to control it.
Hello, I'm not a good sleeper either! I hope you get your problem sorted out, rats are horrible.
In my experience a good hunting cat will kill plenty of young rats - I've seen it happen on farms - but it's rarely that a cat will tackle a fully-grown rat and it's likely to come away with some nasty bites if it tries.
But of course, if you've got a cat getting rid of the young rats that's half (or even three quarters) of the problem solved
at least it's keeping the population under control.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
perhaps on a farm cats are expected to ern there living so hungry enough or with a litter to feed a cat just might go for it, Question Dove ,ex farm girl, do cats on a farm ever group up for a kill as some wild cats do.just a thought. dim erein
,
I have had cats all my life and many of them will tackle adult rats but they must be young, strong and powerful cats, and brave, too. Baby rats are much less trouble and solve our problems just as well. I have seen cats hunting the same prey but they are not cooperating so much as competing and whichever gets the mouse first will run off with and defend it. The only time they work together, in my experience, is when a mother teaches her kittens.
A great deal is said against cats by gardeners, and I'm not keen on their mess in the borders either, but in the country they are worth their weight in gold.
Interesting that Posy, cheers.
brightening up on the East coast a bit.