Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To freak out because I saw a rat in the garden...

51 replies

Thisismynewname123 · 14/05/2019 10:05

Since the weekend, I have seen what I assume is a rat run across the patio 4 times now. What should I do? Do I need to immediately call pest control, or will it go away by itself?
I know this isn't really an AIBU, but I'm posting here for traffic, and to hear other's experiences.

OP posts:
Pinkyyy · 14/05/2019 10:09

Buy traps and put them outside

madcatladyforever · 14/05/2019 10:11

I used to have loads of rats as I live in the country. I adopted a pair of feral cats and they sorted out the rat problem double quick even though they eventually became fat lazy house cats.

Branleuse · 14/05/2019 10:12

is there anything attracting them in yours or your neighbours garden Compost heap ? rubbish piling up?

It would depend on the area really, but in most cases, rats are just a normal part of wildlife, and seeing the odd one isnt a drama. Obviously you dont want them in the house etc, but I dont think its something to freak out over. Wildlife will come into gardens etc cos they live on this planet too

Original poster
Thisismynewname123 · 14/05/2019 10:12

Lots of our neighbours have cats. Wouldn't a trap be dangerous for the local cats?

OP posts:
Original poster
Thisismynewname123 · 14/05/2019 10:14

On the patio, there is no rubbish. There is garden waste at the bottom of the garden, but it's a big garden so not near the patio. If it was just the once, I would have got over it, but having just seen it again when I saw it a couple of times over the weekend, it's freaked me out that it's not going away. Does it mean I can't leave the doors open? What are the chances it would come into the house if doors are open?

OP posts:
GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 14/05/2019 10:14

will it go away by itself?

Very unlikely. And there will probably be more than one. You don't say if you're in an urban or rural location... is there rubbish out that could be attracting them?

Unfortunately, rats are just part of life. As said above, could you buy a cat?

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 14/05/2019 10:15

When I say buy, I meant 'get' (as in rescue centre, they often have old farm cats who are great ratters).

Lifecraft · 14/05/2019 10:19

Everyone has rats. There are billions of them. Living in sewers, hedges, under the shed, wherever they can. They were there before you saw it and always will be. Just don't worry about it.

Original poster
Thisismynewname123 · 14/05/2019 10:20

Thanks GreenFingers. As I mentioned above, lots of neighbours have cats so there are several already that spend time in our garden. We're suburban.
There is no rubbish on the patio where we've seen the rat.

OP posts:
Original poster
Thisismynewname123 · 14/05/2019 10:22

Lifecraft, I know they're everywhere, but it's the fact that this one has clearly now found itself a path across our patio to get from food to shelter, or whatever it is that rats do.

If we put down a trap, what's the chances of hurting a cat (or the foxes that live around here)?

OP posts:
7Days · 14/05/2019 10:23

I wouldn't be base about him on the patio. Have you had as barbecue recently? They are attracted to dropped bits of meat and oil.

Danni91 · 14/05/2019 10:23

It'll be the rubbish up the top attracting them / where they are living and its probably likely theres some form of food near the patio they are eating.

You sure its the same one you keep seeing?

7Days · 14/05/2019 10:23

I have never heard of a cat getting hurt by a trap tbh.

Danni91 · 14/05/2019 10:25

Don't put a trap down that any other wildlife can get too, what you need is a cage.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00I0W5XTI?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

NaturalBornWoman · 14/05/2019 10:26

We saw one running back and forth to the bird feeders, presumably eating the dropped food.

Original poster
Thisismynewname123 · 14/05/2019 10:27

It is near the barbecue, and it has been used this season so possibly there are bits of fallen meat.

Danni, no I don't know that it's the same one, but it's followed the run across the patio each time so I've assumed that it is.

I assume a trap is a better solution than poison? Should we just do that ourselves, and not bother with calling any pest control?

OP posts:
Original poster
Thisismynewname123 · 14/05/2019 10:29

Thanks for the link Danni, but that one is for covered spaces. This would be in the middle of our patio, because I don't know where it's coming from/going to

OP posts:
WindyWindyWindy · 14/05/2019 10:31

If you have seen it run across your patio 4 times it likely either has babies near by or a food source.

Do you have a compost heap? If so it could be feeding on the peelings etc, this happened to me. I got rid of the compost heap and have had no problems since...however...
...a friend of ours has since had the most horrendous problem with both Rats and Mice. They tried to sort it out themselves by putting down traps but to no avail and it eventually took a good few visits from the local council's pest control man to eradicate them. I can't remember how much it cost but it wasn't too expensive.
It's obviously up to you what you do but a bit of money spent now could save you a whole lot of stress and especially if you have DC to consider.

onsen · 14/05/2019 10:32

The garden waste might be an issue. The two times we have seen a rat, it has been at this time of year, and because they were nesting in the compost heap.

Locally, we have a man with 2 terriers who is quick and efficient, and says that it's much kinder than trapping or poison.

TrendyNorthLondonTeen · 14/05/2019 10:32

There's a rat in me garden what amma gonna do...

(Sorry)

Original poster
Thisismynewname123 · 14/05/2019 10:35

TrendyNorthLondonTeen - yes, I keep singing that too Grin
Doesn't solve the problem though!

OP posts:
Original poster
Thisismynewname123 · 14/05/2019 10:37

No compost heap.
We do have garden waste (a new shed put up at the weekend, and there is waste that hasn't been cleared away yet), but it's at the bottom of the garden, approx 100ft away. Not near the patio.

OP posts:
Danni91 · 14/05/2019 10:42

Poison is pretty irrisitable to rats unfortunately cats hedgehogs foxes etc may eat it too.

If you keep disturbing the rubbish or moving things about they may move on.

I wouldn't bother with pest control unless its a big infestation which I don't think it is.

ThreeRandomWords · 14/05/2019 10:45

Do you feed birds. Rats love bird food.

birdonawire1 · 14/05/2019 10:47

Call is pest control specialist. They will put in special traps that rats only take and advise on sealing holes etc. Also speak to neighbours if they are leaving food out. NDN here left dog food out all day. Try the council but they didn't help us as private house

Swipe left for the next trending thread