There’s a rat in my garden

[Springsnake]

I just saw it run out from under my shed ,run round the plant pots and back under the shed ..it’s huge .
I’ve 3 dogs as well ,how have they allowed this to happen.

Does having a cat make a difference?

My cat brought one in through the cat flap last week. I tried to release it, got bitten and spent 4 hours at A&E waiting for a tetanus shot and antibiotics

I think if it's definitely outside your house and not inside, it's pretty normal. Bloody things are everywhere and lockdowns seem to have given them a boost.

@Meggymoo777

It's a bit of a legal minefield actually. It is an offence to harm them once trapped, they can starve to death, or die if the trap has injured them. There is also the problem of trapping other species by mistake too, which could also die. It seems humane but it can do more harm than good. Best to get the experts in.

We are dealing with a squirrel problem at the moment (don't mind them in the garden, but once they get into your house you are looking at major damage) so we are up to speed on all these nightmare scenarios 😲

@Pippapotomus

Does having a cat make a difference?

Only a big tom could tackle a full size adult rat.

Our used too and they both brought baby rats in (live din the country next to a farm and they lived in the poly tunnels)

[quote TonTonMacoute]@Meggymoo777

It's a bit of a legal minefield actually. It is an offence to harm them once trapped, they can starve to death, or die if the trap has injured them. There is also the problem of trapping other species by mistake too, which could also die. It seems humane but it can do more harm than good. Best to get the experts in.

We are dealing with a squirrel problem at the moment (don't mind them in the garden, but once they get into your house you are looking at major damage) so we are up to speed on all these nightmare scenarios 😲[/quote]
Just gonna really hope I never have to face these problems tbh 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 Squirrels in your house, as cute as they are, sounds like a nightmare 🙈 Good luck!!!

Could you slide a large floor tile or a slate- something large and no chewable down into the hole against the fence- so cutting off the tunnel

Rats dont like hassle- hassle them and they move (if outside)

I’ve read up on onion ,it will deter them .I’ve put onion in their rat hole

Am I the only one singing “there’s a rat in me kitchen what am I gonna do?”...

No, I'm right there with you!

I’m so upset and stressed
Our garden is so small ,we have decking ,they must be under it ,it will have to be ripped down

Only a big tom could tackle a full size adult rat.

Very much depends on the individual big tom. My HUGE tom hissed and ran away

@PrincessSarene

Am I the only one singing “there’s a rat in me kitchen what am I gonna do?”...

No, you aren't.

I get rats in my garden, I have a bird feeder and so do various neighbours. There are rats in almost every garden I imagine, you just don’t always see them.

@Springsnake

I’m so upset and stressed Our garden is so small ,we have decking ,they must be under it ,it will have to be ripped down

Maybe don't panic for the moment, it's only one that you've seen so far and you've found the hole so block that up as per PPs suggestion. Try to not stress about having to rip out decking just yet... he may be just passing through 🤞🏻

@Meggymoo777

Thanks 👍

I'm sort of leaving it to DH to deal with if I'm honest (wuss)!

It’s not in my fucking kitchen yet ..
It will get a wack from a shovel if it tries to come in

We have a tiny little runt of the litter cat. She brought a rat the size of a small dog through the cat flap. I think she thought it could be her new house mate .

It might just be one, whose home has been disturbed with all the rain. That happened to us -the garden flooded and we had rats.

They are neophobic, which means they hate the new. So move all your stuff around in your garden, repeatedly. It might not deter them, but then again it might help a bit. And if you're brave, wiggle a cane or something under the shed so they dont feel happy there.

Thanks zebra ,I’ve that on line ,I’ve moved some pots about .
Bloody dogs ,I can’t believe they have allowed this to happen

Block the holes. Keep doing it and they’ll soon be gone.

That’s a rat in my kitchen what I’m a gonna do...

we are vegans

You'll be pleased to know that the Council Pest Control department not longer insists that the householder eats any vermin that is exterminated on their property.

We've got a prolifically hunting cat, two terriers, three hens and a fuck tonne of rats. We are going to put out bait stations this weekend. They are inevitable if you have hens

Also, they love a compost bin. Food and warmth.

You not worried about your pets eating the poisoned rats, Ethel ? Or other wildlife eating the rats, or the poison?

Dear Liza, dear liza