Rat problem

Wondering if anyone more knowledgeable might be able to advise. Last autumn I noticed something had dug some sort of shelter at the bottom of my fence (see pic). I thought it was probably a hedgehog as I have seen one in the garden, and it seemed too big to be done by vermin. I'd also noticed something burrowing into my compost bin, which I'd hoped again was the hedgehog. But this morning I saw a rat in the garden, so I'm wondering if the burrow could indeed be rats? If so, is it worth getting professionals in? Or will removing the water and food source be sufficient? I will stop putting kitchen waste in the compost soon, after my council starts food waste collections. Perhaps there's something you can put in the compost to deter them?



Thanks

 

Rats hate chilli, so try some hot powder liberally sprinkled around. I used it when I had hens (it doesn't worry birds at all). Removing all 'food' is helpful, but you may find yourself calling out the pest control.

 

I don't know whether Pest Control has altered over the years but they always advised to stop feeding birds in your garden for a few weeks.
Always wise to avoid any food waste in a compost bin/box except for raw veg waste.
Sometimes, if the water authorities have been digging about round sewer pipes in the area, rats can be disturbed and set off for a safer habitat - ie your garden.

 

They also don't like water, you can try and flood them out but you only move them on to some other place, some times if the fox is near by he/she may go for the rat but if fox is well fead he/she won't go for ratty, or some one with a jack russell

 

Hi @zebrina , check if your council has pest control officer.

Ours does, and a visit plus advise is free. The friendly guy we have knows the neighbourhood well and usually comes to knock on the door when called in by a neighbour to check what our situation is.

He also arranged a scanning of the pipes in the area as the problem around here escalated when some works were being done in the water system.

We still have a strong rat population here as we live between streams and nature areas which are natural habitats for them- and then they do come to have a look if houses offer something for them.

My house had obvious entry holes into the wall cavities, which I got blocked and that solved the situation for me. The little ones are still around and I sometimes see them crossing my garden, but at least the house is now secured (for now).

 

Rats can carry leptospirosis (causes Weil's disease) so wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly. You really do not want to catch Weil's Disease.

 

Yes, water is probably your best weapon, as well as that hole by the post, its probably your compost heap thats attracting them in.

If you flood the compost heap all the way down with with a hose pipe that should deter them, but to be sure, use some metal cage /spring type of rat traps, but bait them with food that does not attract birds.

What ever you do , do not use the poison bait blocks etc in the garden or in the compost heap as they and then the rats dropping will contaminate the soil /compost for years, certainly not something you want anywhere near your food crops or on your skin when gardening etc.

 

remove all food sources and theyll likely move on within a month. only exception is if there is nowhere else to go.