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Original poster

Eeeek. Rat in my garden

43 replies

LightandFruity · 09/04/2022 09:46

There’s a bloody big rat running round my garden like he owns the place.
I’m terrified to go out there now. I want rid of it, or at least don’t want to see it any more.
Any tips?

OP posts:
Zazdar · 09/04/2022 11:30

And burn the decking down

That wouldn’t be a bad idea. Rats absolutely love decking.

BigWoollyJumpers · 09/04/2022 11:32

We see them quite often, but honestly, we live in the country, so of course they are going to be running around.

Best recent close encounter, was chatting to my neighbour in his garden under the apple tree in Autumn. One was just sitting there, munching on an apple, and listening to our conversation. It was actually quite sweet!

KosherDill · 09/04/2022 11:42

@Annabelle69

And please don't poison as posters are suggesting. It's a slow cruel agonising death and completely unnecessary. Use humane traps if you have to or employ pest control to do the same.
This.

Rats are intelligent little creatures. Don't subject it to a horrific death just to appease yourself.

FredaFox · 09/04/2022 11:44

I live in the city so do see them but my mum is in the countryside. I stayed during lockdown and started hearing a noise above me, couldn't find a thing when I looked in the loft but we got pest control out as neighbours have had squirrels in their roof.
the neighbours had bird heaven behind their garage, multiple bird feeders, water, a haven for birds and rodents. The rat was feeding himself and climbed up the neighbours ivy covered fence and made its way to my mums roof for a nap, there wasn't any droppings so when pest control came back to check up he was expecting possibly a squirrel but nope a very fat well fed rat

Justleaveitblankthen · 09/04/2022 11:52

It's just another animal. If it had a bushy tail we'd be throwing them hazelnuts.
Whatever you decide to do, please do not use poison.
I had a kitten that was killed by neighbours in this way. Died in the palm of my hands in utter agony.

Hoppinggreen · 09/04/2022 11:55

@Justleaveitblankthen

It's just another animal. If it had a bushy tail we'd be throwing them hazelnuts. Whatever you decide to do, please do not use poison. I had a kitten that was killed by neighbours in this way. Died in the palm of my hands in utter agony.
Exactly They are no more disease infected, dangerous etc than any other wildlife but we have been conditioned to see them as “dirty” Think of it as a squirrel that has lost its tail fluff
SickOfRats · 09/04/2022 12:46

As long as it stays outside OP, it's okay. Keep your doors closed for now in case it wanders in which they do for warmth and food. But I would try and investigate where it's coming from incase there's a nest nearby.

From my username you can probably guess I'm speaking from (terrible) experience and I've posted about the problem in the past. Last year had them IN the house - eventually realised they are getting in from the kitchen extension roof. Not had a problem since having to get the whole thing redone. But when it's quiet I can occasionally hear a tapping, creaky sound as though they are trying to make their way in. Unfortunately the area is overrun with them and the council won't do FA about it.

If they get in, absolutely set traps. I was ill on and off last year and I can only guess that they were the reason. I'm fine now the problem's resolved.

essaytwenty · 09/04/2022 12:59

If it had a bushy tail we'd be throwing them hazelnuts.

Only the red fluffy tailed ones get hazelnuts around here. The grey ones aren’t so lucky.

TheSpottedZebra · 09/04/2022 13:04

@EdnaMole

We have had a nightmare with rats in our place - spotted them in the garden helping themselves to the bird seed and running under the decking!! Also had them scrabbling about in the loft which is just horrific in the middle of the night. Local pest control company know us well!!
You have food on a table and decking and you're surprised you have rats? You're literally encouraging them. And them probably poisoning them, and anything that preys upon them too. Like birds that you seem to care about.

Stop putting out bird food!

Okeydoky · 09/04/2022 13:10

It's probably nesting under your decking. Rats love decking.

Goofbawl · 09/04/2022 13:16

Get a cat.

Rosiestraws · 09/04/2022 13:22

I'm just here to add to the comments about decking. That's where I had rats when I had them- get rid of the decking! Ugh! Also isn't rats a council pest control thing for them to deal with? Take some pics/a video and check with the council?

yellowsuninthesky · 09/04/2022 14:03

OP it is possible that there is only one. They go on hunts for food sources, so they might be on their own,

In 2020 when I was working in my garden office I saw one in our garden. And then I saw another, as you say, bold as brass walking around as if it owned the place. I called pest control who set up a hidden camera...and...nothing, He said at the time it was down to a mix of wet weather in the winter flooding their nests, restaurants being closed so no bins for them to root around in, and people noticing them because they were at home more.

Don't panic, they won't hurt you and won't necessarily try to come into the house. Call pest control to put up a hidden camera, either they'll find nothing and reassure you, or they will find more and sort them out.

All we found was a woodmouse.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 09/04/2022 14:07

We live in a town adjacent to the Thames-

I have had to accept that there will be rats-and to make matters worse we have a plum tree and when the fruit lays on the ground they assume it is a picnic spread for them...

Polyanthus2 · 09/04/2022 16:57

We had a bird table like a covered 'house' on a pole. Also had a night vision camera - the rat could run up the pole and reach round onto the floor of the house easily and munch its fill. It seemed to know the camera was there as it climbed the far side of the pole - however was so chubby his belly stuck out each side of the pole

JimMorrisonsleathertrousers · 09/04/2022 20:47

There was one squashed in the middle of the road right outside my house the other day 🤮 my DH has a very strong stomach and scooped it up and binned it!

They are bloody everywhere.

autienotnaughty · 09/04/2022 21:14

Move !!!!

Original poster
LightandFruity · 10/04/2022 12:58

Just seen the bloody thing again today. Bold as brass when I was in the garden.
Next doors garden is a tip so it could be living anywhere.
Going to get some humane traps I think.

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