Is it really a problem?
kathie51d
Posts: 100
Hi all, Sping is here, nearly
Cyril Snow is still with us, weather still too chilly to undress him. Other guests include a splendid array of garden birds including Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Long Tail Tits, Black Caps,Thrush and Blackbirds,Magpies,Crows and so on. Squirrels by the bucket load who think I run a "open all hours" restaurant. Now the last visitors I am not too sure about but do keep us amused attempting to climb the pole to the bird feeder.
RATS at least two living in a pile of logs and undoubtedly will be multiplying. Life up the slippery pole to food is hilarious and I do feel a little sorry for them as they take a run to get to the top, just in reach of the goodies and then slide down onto their bottoms to the bottom of the 1/2" pole. We have disturbed their efforts a couple of times and they ended up in the pond, don't think the fish like it much as they already share with the toads and frogs. The squirrels take turns at the pole and are often successful reaching one of the feeders then hang on for grim death, upside down or just hanging around.
Do I get in the "rat catchers" ? Or co exist in this little nature reserve. We only have 1 neighbour so they are not urban rats, they do not have access to household rubbish. I could get a cat but think the spoilt dog would have a hissy fit.
Live and let live has always been my attitude.
Best wishes to all
Kathie
Posts
Easy to get rat poison if they're in there. Just follow the instructions carefully and keep watch to see that it's being taken.
Not sure whereabouts you are in the country Kathie, but I'm assuming you're north as you mention snow, although I didn't relaly understand your reference to it! Rats often like warm compost bins to set up home, but I expect the logs are also a rather nice, cosy corner, so it's best to deter them now.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I would definitely get somebody in if you've seen more than one rat. They are not a creature to co-exist with. As you rightly say they will undoubtedly breed. The alternative is to stop feeding all the others birds and beasties for a while in the hope that the rats will go in search of food elsewhere.
Morning fairy girl and verdin,
We live in the south on the coast fairy girl so quite sheltered but Cyril Snow is Regards to our visitor over the winter period, wanting to keep my tree fern safe. Have not got the heart to undress yet?I think I will have to sort the rats but they are cute
Cyril is very smart! I like his nose!
Ah - I see Kathie!
Rats aren't cute though....you'll regret it if you don't deal with them as soon as possible. Like mice, there's never 'only one or two' either
It's this stuff Verdun - you know...white and cold...
Last edited: 04 March 2017 09:49:08
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Yes - totally edible. Not the yellow stuff though.....
That was from last January or February though. Haven't taken any pix this winter when there's been snow - apart from on my walks. It's never lasted very long on any of the occasions we've had it. In fact, it hasn't lasted well on the hills either!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Rats definitely aren't cute, in one year, from one pair there will be 2,000.
We find the only poison that works here is Neosorexa available from farm shops.