Rats

[abovedecknotbelow]

We have an ongoing rat issue in the garden, four doors down back onto some commercial bins from a cafe and a take away which is the source of the problem but they seem to like hanging out in our garden too.

We have no food sources, we have a deck which is being ripped up ASAP. I have a terrier who clearly doesn't live up to his name as a terrier bred for rat catching, and next door have two equally useless cats.

The rat(s) are getting bolder and wandering around the garden during the day, maybe looking for water? Anyway I don't particularly mind them but I do not want them in the house. Also don't want to put poison down due to aforementioned useless rat catching pets.

I've ordered some humane rat traps, anyone use them, do they work? What bait did you use?

what are you going to do with them if you catch any? give them a good talking to?

If they're looking for water, and there is none in your garden, there was a recent post about the importance of leaving a water source out, as birds, hedgehogs, a variety of wildlife, are really struggling right now.

You need to report the issue to the council. Environmental Health. The cafe and takeaway should be handling their waste better.

Done many many times they do sweet FA

We have used rat traps like mouse traps but bigger! Obviously not humane but dispatch them quickly. We use a rat cheesy bait which seems to work.

The traps are in boxes so avoids animals like dogs and cats getting their paws trapped

If you use poison it has to be in a proper bait box so the pets wouldn't be able to get into it.

Pest control can put proper boxes in that kill them instantly. Poison is a nightmare as they often go under homes and die especially under floorboards. If you've ever experienced it you'll understand the saying "smell a rat". It's horrendous.