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Back garden rats
Bernie12
Posts: 3
I discovered a hole in my back lawn below a bird feeder which I have attached to a fence. It baffled me to what it could be. I've since found what looks like another hole around 6/7 feet away just beside my oil tank but because of where it is I'm not 100% sure. Today I noticed some droppings in my garden shed. They're quite like mice droppings only larger so I'm thinking they maybe rats? ? I went to a hardware store and got poison amd left one cube in the shed and dropped one down each hole. Have I done enough? Do I need to fill in the holes? The bird feeder has went in the bin. I've young children at home and the last thing I need is a garden full of rats. Any help and advice would be much appreciated 
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Thank you for taking the time to reply. I hope this is the end of it and I've caught it before it becomes a bigger problem. I loved watching the birds feed everyday as did my little boy but I guess better safe than sorry. Unfortunately all my neighbours have bird feeders too. I'll keep an eye out and see how I get on with today's actions.
Try just putting out nuts for now and not seeds or fat balls. We live in quite a rural area, with allotments nearby that house varying livestock. We find that during the winter months rats will visit our feeders so we, and our only neighbours, remove all bird food except for the nuts. This always solves the problem for us, so maybe it will for you too. Fingers crossed it will, then you and your son can carry on enjoying all your feathered visitors.
Last edited: 14 February 2017 23:26:25
If you want to put out poison, put it in the centre of a length of drainpipe and lay it down where they run. Nothing can get at it then, except the rats.
I'm sure you've posted this advice before and it's not correct. Other small mammals can also get at the bait e.g. mice, voles and shrews. Predators and scavengers are also very much at risk from secondary poisoning when they feed on poisoned rats or other small mammals. This includes owls, polecats, stoats, weasels and domestic cats and dogs.
Poison really should be a last resort when you've taken other preventative measures, in this case the problem is clearly the bird food put out by the OP and his neighbours - either stop feeding or minimise the extent to which rats can get at the food (whether that's direct from the feeders or spillage/crumbs underneath).
Yes, I have given the advice before. I wonder what you think professional rat-killers would do to get rid of the rats?
Please give your advice to rid the OP of rats, without harming the local wildlife.
My advice is in my post - prioritise preventative measures i.e. remove their food source. Yes, it's difficult when neighbours are involved, but that's the long-term solution. Poisoning rats won't work if food continues to be available because more will simply move in from elsewhere.
Would that it was as simple as removing bird feeders. If you have livestock, you will have rats. Mostly they go underground to die, though we did have a dalmation which was an excellent rat-catcher - no poison involved.
Who mentioned livestock? This is someone's back garden with bird feeders.
You can promote the use of poisons all you want, but the fact remains that a high proportion of barn owls, polecats and other predators are affected as well. Poison should be used only when really necessary, not as a first resort.
Lots of people have chickens in their back gardens. Not to mention rabbits etc.
Rat-proof chicken feeders are very helpful for reducing the amount of feed taken by rats (and other species). Some spillage is inevitable, but they're much better than open feeders which rats can access easily. Save a lot of money too in reduced feed costs.