I hope someone can answer this question.
I have read a previous post on how to deter rats and would like to try try chilli powder.
I have seen a lone rat occasionally but recently we have be invaded by a new family. (Yes, baby rats are cute). I can't pretend they bother me, as far as I am concerned they are just wildlife. However, the thread contained dire warnings of disease and infection so I feel I should deter them. I don't want to upset my neighbours either, although they are quite a distance away.
The problem is I also have a badger which visits and I do not want to stop leaving nuts for it, I have set up a 'hide' and hope to get photos in the future.
Will the badger also be put off if I add chilli powder to the food? If so, what other humane ways are there to get rid of this ratty family? They seem to like the wildlife pond! I have moved the feeders and greatly reduced the amount of food I am putting out etc as advised in the previous thread.
Kind regards Jane.
Hi Jeff
Cannot answer your question but there is a very useful website on wildlife problems at
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/
could be helpful or at worst a very interesting read.
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Thanks JudiM, that is very kind, I will have a browse!
To be honest, I am not going to risk deterring the badger as I love to see it.
I usually put nuts out for the badger in the evening. When I was away for a few days, I placed a container with a large amount of peanuts, in a hole in the ground. I covered it with a heavy piece of wood. My thinking was that the birds and squirrel etc could not move the wood, so the nuts would remain for the badger. The container was empty when I returned home and I have used this method since and watched the badger move the wood to get at the peanuts. It also barges into my cage for ground feeding birds which I have to repair every morning!
I think I will add chilli powder to any food in the feeders and on the bird table etc. Remove any excess from the ground every evening and continue to feed the badger using the hole in the ground. I know the rats can tunnel for it but I hope the chill in the more accessible food will put them off. I have seen the rats eating in the day time.
I feel a bit nasty putting chilli powder out for the rats, but I know they can breed at an alarming rate so I must do something.
Thanks again, I do appreciate your help.