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Original poster

Rats near my parents home - what to do?

12 replies

BigMy · 06/09/2019 11:04

My parents are elderly and Ive just glanced out of their kitchen window and seen a rat in the garden. No sign of them indoors (although they have a basement - eeek). What do I do?! I know rats are everywhere but can they be completely got rid of?

OP posts:

Unshriven · 06/09/2019 11:07

No, you'll never get rid of outdoor rats.

As long as they are not in the house, it's not really an issue.

BrigidSt · 06/09/2019 11:13

If your parents feed the birds in the garden get them to stop for a while, same if they have a compost bin in the garden, you may not have them in the house, but take away any sources of food and shelter for them outside.

TeamUnicorn · 06/09/2019 11:46

At my old house we sighted a couple of rats in the garden, they were simply passing through.

What is the garden like? and the neighbours?

DontForgetToDeadhead · 06/09/2019 11:50

How close to the house?

Is there somewhere obvious where they might be living (e.g. rotten decking/rotten shed) or that they might be eating (bird food)? If so, remove it.

If they're not too close to the house I wouldn't worry too much.

dontgobaconmyheart · 06/09/2019 11:50

Not a lot you can do OP really, it's pretty common really. Do they live rurally? What kind of house is it? Ensure they aren't leaving food out for birds, clear the garden or garden shed and check the external walls of their home with a view to proofing any entry points, as the temp is dropping outside they will be seeking warmer places to go (aka houses, sheds etc)

I would only really worry if they were in the house or you were seeing large amounts of them. In any case it can be dealt with regardless, even if it is a pain to do.

AltheaVestr1t · 06/09/2019 11:54

Animals do sometimes live outside.

Original poster

BigMy · 06/09/2019 13:00

The rat was about 2 metres from their garden door and is presumably nesting with countless others under the garage.
They live in a very small town within a few hundred metres of a river separated by a M-way. The fruit trees in their garden are currently laden.... Neither have mentioned it to me and I don't want to fuss about it as they're becoming frail. However, neither do I want to stand back and not nip it in the bud if necessary.

OP posts:

madcatladyforever · 06/09/2019 13:01

I live on the south downs and had loads of rats. My two feral cats made short work of them.

thecatneuterer · 06/09/2019 13:17

You do nothing. Rats live outside. If they come inside that's a problem. Outside - what's the issue?

DelurkingAJ · 06/09/2019 13:19

If they’re nesting somewhere (too near the house) then you should look to see what your local authority asks you to do. We had them in the compost bin under our kitchen window and were advised to get the exterminator in. If they’re coming into the garden from elsewhere then so be it!

DeepDarkWoods · 06/09/2019 13:29

Just leave them alone for now. Keep everything clean and tidy. Make sure there is no food around and all should be ok.

NewName54321 · 06/09/2019 13:29

You won't ever get rid of the rats, but if the garden isn't attractive to them they will just pass through rather than stay.

So stop feeding the birds for a while, get rid of any overgrown or covered areas where they might nest, cover any drains and make sure there is no standing water to attract them. If you resume feeding the birds, take the food up at night and sweep up any spills.

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