Kitchen Garden Forum

Hi Everybody,

we seem to be inundated with rats this year. They have eaten all of the sweetcorn on all of the plots.

We have had problems in the past but not to this extent, you can see them every day.

has anybody got any good ideas to reduce the numbers, as getting rid of them is imposible.

Thanks

Tracie

We find all the time we tolerate the foxes, they keep the rat population down. If it is that bad I think you should call out the Local Authority Pest control.

Beryl.

Hi Tracie,

Are you sure it is rats, Magpies will strip sweetcorn and so will squirrels, But if it is rats you will have set rat traps around the plot or start poisoning the little beggar's.

Regards

Kevin

Yes it is rats for sure. We keep seeing them running around.

We have been in contact with the local authorities before, but without much sucess. They have said that we will never get rid of them and thats that.

It is a large area to purchase and trap the rats.

Has anybody used any rat killer before?, which one is the best to get.

Thanks

Tracie

Be careful with poison, you might kill friendly wild life instead. The only way I have seen it used is in conjunction with a basket type trap. The food laced with the poison is put in the trap and as the rat takes the food the lid shuts. But of course other animals can get at it as well.

Beryl.

Professional rodent bait stations are the answer to your problem.

Not used them, but they can be seen in many places. Look around any motorway service station, supermarket,or back of any "mall",

See this link for a randomly googled example http://www.godfrey-diy.co.uk/pest-contr ... 26040.html

This http://www.solwayfeeders.com/ProductsRe ... asp?cat=12 is alot cheaper.

Thanks for the link. I have looked at this option, but I think it will be too expensive as we are a large site and we would need many boxes to cover the allotment.

Thanks

Tracie

Aren't the Environmental Health Department at the council obliged to deal with rat problems? Surely they can't just say no.

PLUMPUDDING wrote:Aren't the Environmental Health Department at the council obliged to deal with rat problems? Surely they can't just say no.

Not obliged. Here's what Chesterfield council says
http://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/site/def ... p?CATID=58

Hello Tracie
The only real option you have is to use poison and bait boxes but as you say this just isn't practical when you consider the area that you are dealing with.

The only other idea is to have a blitz over the whole site to clear up and get rid of all the sites where rats might be living. They don't like open ground but under piles of anything like wood, stones or rubbish they will soon set up home. Under sheds is another favourite place and bait boxes could perhaps be used here. It would mean everyone making a concerted effort something that is easier said than done. An environmental health officer might well walk your site with you and point out likely places that are encouraging rats to establish. You won't get rid of them this way but it might help control their numbers.

John

Dear Tracie, sorry you have a rat problem, I hate them!! If you wanted to go down the poison route there are some really affective bait traps available from farming supply shops. i noticed that you live in chesterfield and I'm not too far away you can buy large buckets of bait and the dispensers in agricultural shops in Bakewell and in Darley dale. If you go for the live catch trap method I've found peanut butter to be the tastiest bait! they love it. the problem is if you don't get rid of them this winter you'll have twice as many next spring!
I'm sure there are a few lads in chesterfield that might want an evening of ratting with their terriers or air rifles- that may be the most effective option!!
regards Gracie

Have I mis-read Alan's link with Chesterfield Council? It sounds to me as though they treat rat problems free.
Perhaps I've missed something.

PlumP

The Chesterfield website seems to say they will sort problems with rats for free - though they are not "legally obliged" to do so.

Hi Alan,
I think the word you are all missing is Resident.
The services run by local authorities are for residential premises only. These are sometimes free but more often than not a fee is payable.
I am sure that local authorities have a statutory obligation to keep vermin numbers under control.
If the allotment is owned by the council then they should be badgered until they do do something.
I suspect that they will keep parks and open spaces under their jurisdiction rat free.
JB.

i too am having problems with rats, they ate a lot of my spuds and bore holes in my polytunnel,every time i patch a hole they create a new one my veg patch is surrounded with fencing/rabbit proof galvanized netting. I am considering electrifying the fence, anyone tried this to keep rats out? Have caught loads in the poly with traps/both humane (then i shoot them )and traditional, but still they keep coming!