AIBU to report my neighbour for rats?

[GardenRats]

The house next door is derelict: it stands with broken windows and run down to a state of disrepair as it hasn't been lived in for years.

I moved in recently and find to my dismay the back garden is a clear rat-run. I have a dog but this doesn't make any difference. Today there was one on my lawn in broad daylight around 4pm. It seems they don't even bother to wait for cover of darkness now!

I’ve got children and one of them has had a severe, unknown virus recently, one that clobbered him severely. I'm not sure what kind of strange diseases I could be exposing us all to if I ignore the rats. But they aren't in the house so far so not sure if I’m just overthinking.

I don't have a compost, any fruit trees or vegetables, open bins or bird feed. Other than garden furniture and flower beds there's nowhere to hide.

I could ask the council to come but they charge way over £125. I also live near an industrial estate where rats are expected to be around so not sure if it would just be a losing battle?

AIBU to report the derelict building next door since that's where the rat run leads to? I blocked the hole under the fence today with bricks and within an hour it had a neat hole dug underneath again. I realise I need to use buried wire but wonder if there's any point ‘til they're killed, if that's even an option.

WWYD?

Report it, rats carry disease, and can destroy electrical wiring and cause a fire.

No harm in reporting. Hope the problem gets resolved soon.

You need to try to get the problem sorted before it gets worse, they will just continue to breed and take over everything.

I can’t believe how calm you seem about it, I’m absolutely petrified of rats and just the sight of one would have had me packing my bags and refusing to return. I’d be burning down the house next door 😂.

Could you get a cat? My neighbours put bird food down and we are in an area with perfect conditions for rats, I’ve got a cat now and they haven’t been spotted since. My partner has seen the cat running round a few times with its mouth full of rat, he said that he’s seen him chewing on one as well and sucking its tail up like spaghetti.
Luckily I haven’t witnessed this as I usually get told not to look and the cat makes a distinctive trilling when he’s hunting so I know not to look out of the window, there is no way I’d ever get a cat flap in case of unwanted gifts.

Not all cats bother with rats and my cat has had to go to the vet after fighting with them as well. Sometimes the presence is enough but there might be too many for one cat to cope with in your situation now.
You could look online for bait boxes and ways to kill them? We had to put some down before we got the cat, we got a professional in but I believe you can get effective boxes off amazon from Rentokill.

Like a pp has mentioned they can damage wiring and they will become more and more brazen, it’s definitely better to get on top of the issue whilst you can.

You can a rat bait box with bait for about £16. Apparently you place it where they 'run' and they eat rhe bait and then go 'home' and die (which might be under your floor!) It can go outside.

I've just bought one from Wickes, it's called Deadfast!. I know some people don't like to kill any animal but relocating them to a rat sanctuary on an idyllic island isn't an option for me.

As you have a pet you need to be extra careful that it doesn't eat the dead rat.

Caveat to say I hate rats and I spend my life fending off any that stray our way from either the pub or shop across the road.
We had two cats and now have neighbours either side with dogs which helps. (Previous neighbours had a definite rats nest in their garden!)
Please be careful with poison, I hate the rats as much as anyone but the poison can kill a lot more than rats. Especially if rat is eaten by a bird etc.
we move things around regularly in the garden, keep it really nicely cut back and tidy, no bird feed etc and planted a lot of mint. Block up any rat holes etc that lead to your garden. Peppermint and moth balls apparently deter them as they hate the smell and it disrupts them if things move around.
And if in doubt seek help from professionals - they may still use poison but they will know how much and where to use it and will be able to tell what to block up / move around etc.
Like you, if my child was affected I'd absolutely be taking action against any potential rats in the garden (I'm quite obsessed with them at the top of the drive and the thought of them coming near the house!) so you really have my sympathy with this.

A neighbour heard rats in their walls. She called someone out who put down a flourescent powder with food. Rats ate the food, powder transfered to their feet and then when dark they used a torch that showed exactly where their rat run was. Linked to a near by house.
I think they used poisoned bait, they move away to die elsewhere but if the issue isn't fixed properly it will just keep reoccurring. I think if you visibly see rats then the issue will be a big infestation.
Id definiteky report it. Could Council give advice ? An independent pest controller may be cheaper than council.

About an hour ago I had a rat on my bird feeder. I've taken it down and chucked out the fat balls and only have a peanut feeder hanging up now.

I knew there were rats about but had never seen a live one before in the garden, the cat had a couple not long after I moved in as they were living under next door's decking.

Cat was put to sleep last September and I vowed not to get another one but I'm beginning to think, well, maybe I should think about it. 🤔

You can report, but I also live next to a derelict house and have reported the sodding rats at least 3 times over the past 16 years! The council come out, poke around a bit and do nowt! Their main excuse is that it can't be the neighbouring property as there is no active food source 🙄

My best advice is to vist a farm supply shop, chat to them about dealing with the problem. Unfortunately, I have to buy the rat poison and deal with critters myself. We call em rat biscuits! But you need to rotate types etc and learn how to spot the nest entrances, so that the buggers die underground.

I was just reading an article that said when people do it themselves they never use enough poison and that actually makes it worse. They said the rats just fight over it and don’t get enough to actually kill them.

My gardener told me they build up a tolerance to the DIY poisons - he also advocates keeping the garden busy and moving stuff around as apparently they hate that.

Yes I’ve heard that too…. Breaking up their runs by placing stuff in their way

I would not pay for pest control myself as it will not solve the problem long term if the rats are using the derelict neighbouring property. I would report it to the council and let them investigate and deal with it.

Re the issue centering on a derelict property; I seem to remember (but could be wrong) that local authorities can use their powers to, ultimately, purchase or force the sale of derelict/empty properties under some law designed to ensure that as much housing stock as possible is habitable and available.

The first step would be for them to identify and contact the owner, if possible, and go from there. Whether LAs have the will, or the funds, to do this might be another matter.

Definitely report it. Get the other neighbours to report it too.

You could also try and rat proof your garden. It won't stop them but it might help. Use small size chicken wire along the base of fences etc.
Rats can climb but don't make their lives easy!

I hate rats.

Amazon sells the cruel '''sticky pads'' - presume you only put down in dry weather. You need to inspect them regularly and kill anything stuck on sticky pad (by hitting it!). They work but not for the faint hearted or animal lovers.

I would go on local Facebook groups and find out who owns terriers - these dogs are excellent “ratters” and I’m sure the owners would be very happy to help.

I would also contact your local Councillor (remember that local elections are in May and they want your vote!). Get him or her on board!