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Original poster

Rats in the garden!

19 replies

TheUnknownGirl · 11/04/2019 17:55

We've not long bought our first home. The garden at the back is neglected and backs onto a very (separated by a fence) which then rises up to a football field.

We have a fella coming out next week to clear some of the crap away. He's been here before giving the garden a tidy. When I was measuring the fence yesterday I noticed a round hole in the ground - what I'm fairly sure is a rat burrow.

The council are coming out on the 26th to assess and the fella is clearing the crap next week. Should I be reversing the timing of these jobs? Any other rat advice? Im slightly worried we're in for a losing battle as next door has decking and next door after that chickens...

OP posts:

NewName54321 · 11/04/2019 18:32

Rats are everywhere. If you clear the land, so there is nowhere for them to hide under undisturbed, and make sure there is no food supply or standing water to attract them, they will just pass through on their way to somewhere more attractive to them.

Clear first, then have the chap out to see if you've actually got a rat problem.

libelullegirl · 11/04/2019 18:37

Every year we have to clear any potential hidey holes for rats to be sure they don't take up residence. We block holes in the fence, make sure there no overgrowth and make sure our sheds are sealed. We've kept on top of them this way for years - we love near a railway line so we are a literal rat run from the railway line to the common we live next to!

I would say that if you suspect you have a nest it may be worth switching - you kind need the nest killed off first? Could the council advise you? You're so lucky, our council doesn't offer this service any more - we have to pay ourselves!

Good luck - it will be manageable!

Original poster

TheUnknownGirl · 11/04/2019 19:05

We can rid of over growth to an extent in our garden but right behind the garden is a very grassy overgrown verge we can do bugger all about, so I fear it won't do a great deal. There's quite a bit to clear - this is the front bit which we've trimmed right back and this is what lies behind...

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Original poster

TheUnknownGirl · 11/04/2019 19:11

Well those pics didn't work!

i65.tinypic.com/2gt28ld.jpg

i64.tinypic.com/5wgxow.jpg

I worry if we do clearing after rat men visit then the poor guy will have rat corpses to deal with! Though he may do anyway...

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Original poster

TheUnknownGirl · 11/04/2019 19:13

Grrr they did work. Yes, we did call the council (well, I did, DH would freak) and they responded very quickly.

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Original poster

TheUnknownGirl · 11/04/2019 21:35

Is there a risk that once the nest is disturbed they will come into the house?? I'm only feeling unpanicked because they're in the garden. I have 2 cats and a young child.

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RottnestFerry · 11/04/2019 21:53

We have rats in our garden. My cat used to catch them. My neighbour's cat still does. I know because he leaves the corpses on our lawn.

Maybe your cats will too.

Original poster

TheUnknownGirl · 11/04/2019 22:47

My cats are useless bastards! One hates going out and the other lies in the sun. I did see him stare intently at one of the bushes yesterday however which freaked me out.

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PCohle · 12/04/2019 00:42

Borrow a couple of terriers? I'm only half joking ...

stucknoue · 12/04/2019 00:51

We have rats in our garden, they don't do any harm. Don't want them in the house though! They are quite friendly to us, not like the mice (plenty of them too) and feisty to the dog.

safariboot · 12/04/2019 01:04

That looks like a nice clean area for all sorts of wildlife. I wouldn't be unduly worried about rats specifically. It's litter and rubbish that attracts rats.

But get a pest controller out if it's a concern.

DinosApple · 12/04/2019 07:27

I saw a rat waltz across our lawn the other day, and we have mice that scoot across the patio.

My main goal is to keep them out of the house since behind have chickens and we have a pond they are probably here to stay.
The mice live under the DCs playhouse and creep into the greenhouse to eat whatever we've been growing. Sneaky bastards.

We do have rodent poison in a long piece of drain pipe so birds can't get to it and snap traps in the greenhouse. If it gets worse this year we'll see if the council can do anything.

Original poster

TheUnknownGirl · 12/04/2019 08:02

safarigirl what can't be seen in those pics is a big pile of old wood and chicken wire which were getting removed. I think that will attract rats. I saw a rat burrow so am certain we have them.

So will they come into our house if we try to get rid?

OP posts:

Guiloak · 12/04/2019 08:14

I have a lazy fat cat and even he can catch mice. With 2 cats I really don't think you will have a rodent problem inside the house.

Original poster

TheUnknownGirl · 16/04/2019 18:16

Update on this, the guy who came to clear most of the debris and stuff said he couldn't see any evidence of rats. However the burrow I saw is under that pile on the left.

Now we can see the big clear gap from under next doors decking which has made me even more nervous!

OP posts:

PCohle · 16/04/2019 19:22

Oh that looks really good now. I wouldn't be overly worried about rats with that set up to be honest.

You could put mesh or something over the gap I suppose if it worries you? But I have decking myself and have never seen a rat, so maybe I'm just relaxed about it.

Original poster

TheUnknownGirl · 16/04/2019 23:58

What about the burrow though? Doesn't that mean there are rats?

OP posts:

PCohle · 17/04/2019 00:34

I wouldn't necessarily assume a burrow was a rat burrow though. Mice, moles, voles, rabbits, badgers, foxes - there are loads of animals that could be responsible.

thenightsky · 17/04/2019 00:40

We cured our rat issue by buying some metal mesh that is used to make rat cages and burying it to a depth of about 4ft under ground and about 2 foot above ground all around the perimeter of our garden, then tacking it firmly to the lap larch fencing every inch, so they couldn't squeeze through. Luckily we have a tiny garden.

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