Rat in the garden!

[Poetryinaction]

Ugh. I can't believe it. I just saw a rat in the garden. Is this common? To pre-empt some questions...
We don't have a cat or any pets, but lots of cats come into our garden.
We have amassed a lot of crap which we are taking to the tip tomorrow, booked in.
We have 3 small kids.
The garden is about 100', decking outside the back door and bamboo to the side, then concrete, then lawn. I saw it running along the concrete next to the decking. So really near the house!
Do I need a person in? Or traps?

I would say get a person in, as you have decking next to the house, you need to deal with it quickly and you need your house checking for entry points. Been there, done it.

Thanks!

Do you live anywhere near a stream?

There’s never just ONE rat.... my bet is they are living under the decking

Don’t ignore, don’t hope it will go away, you need to nip it in bud while it’s looking for food for its babies. Start with your local council - they will have recommended local contacts and, if you’re lucky, may offer subsided rates If booked via the council.

Do you have any water features, after I built a pond next to my decking, there were rats everywhere. They love water and people who feed the birds! Be careful of poison, I once lost a dog who managed to get hold of rat poison that had been put in a pipe under the decking , sadly she died
I'd definitely call in the professionals .

Really helpful thank you. I have contacted the council 🤞