Hi, I wonder if anyone out there can help me.
My neighbour's house has been empty for some time and his garden is very overgrown. His other neighbour has seen rats in the garden. We have noticed that there are holes under our fence and the adjoining neighbours - a rat run.
I have phoned the local Council, vermin control department and they have informed me that they cannot come out to investigate for another 2 weeks due to a backlog of work. They have however told me to remove all of my bird feeders as the rats are obviously coming into the garden for the food that may have dropped on the floor.
I have so many birds in my garden that I have been feeding for years now and at this time of year when the weather is getting colder I dont want to remove the feeders.
Any ideass greatly appreciated.
Sue
x
By the way, I know Squirrels are known as tree rats but I hate that expression, I think Squirrels are great. I have a couple in my garden and 1 regular who comes up to the patio door for food if there is none about - hes cute and cheeky. Cant imagine anyone not wanting them in the garden.
Hi all
Firstly, the observation of a sparrowhawk taking a rat is a very unusual behaviour, you are very privileged to have watch a seldom seen act of natural predation. Sparrowhawks diet is usually made up of just birds but occasionally records of them taking bats and rodents have been made. However, I don't think hoping for sparrowhawks to venture into the garden will stop your rat problem.
Anyone using poison must make sure they do it by the book, the improper use of such poisons can lead to prosecution, not to mention the risks to wildlife, children and pets. Please take the time to read our advice on rodenticides here.
If you want to continue feeding birds then make sure that there are trays under the feeders to reduce spillage and take in the food overnight. If the rats are getting onto the feeders in daylight then you need to stop feeding in this way. Maybe give it a rest for a week or two and then start again with feeders that are rat proof (the squirrel cone guards that fit on feeder poles also stop rats climbing to the feeders.)
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
My intention was to illustrate my solution to my rat (singular) problem, yes I know there may be others, but none have shown since. All my seed feeders have trays but the device in question was a suet block feeder. As to taking in feeders every night, not a feasible solution. Can you imagine removing ten or twelve feeders each evening, in the dark, when you come home from work and replacing them before you go to work in the morning? Like it or not, the rat is one of our indigenous creatures and are likely to appear wherever they can find food. I realize not everyone can rely on a visiting Sprawk but I would still be reluctant to use poison, that would have to be a last resort.
Brown Rats aren't indigenous to Britain - they were introduced here in the 18th century. For a non-poison control method, is there anyone near you who could lend you a Jack Russell or similar terrier, they're supposed to be ace rat-catchers?
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I think poison is very dangerous to other creatures. The rats eat it then run off and die elsewhere. They can be picked up by bird of prey, foxes, pet dogs or anything. Please reconsider.
Cheers, Linda.
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