Rats at bottom of garden

[Hollyhocksarenotmessy]

We've just moved and back on to a wheat field. The garden is densely planted with shrubs along the sides. Theres an odd patch at the bottom of the garden behind some fencing, ground is soft and spongy with just some weeds. Area has some empty compost bins and an old empty shed. Rat city down there! Lots of holes, and some holes going under the concrete path nearer the house. Probably under the shrubs too. We rent and arent allowed to remove plants (not that we want to). We dont want to use poison or traps, cant find any local ratting terriers. Other than generally moving stuff about to disturb them, any failsafe ways to get them to move out?

Same here. Back on to fields and a dyke. Add to that mix with a chicken run too and it's Rat City.

We have tried a few things over the years but are now at peace with the fact they have always lived down there and always will. We just co-exist and try and ignore each other 😂 like having annoying neighbours. When the water levels are very high they approach the house but we make ourselves feel better by putting bait boxes near the house. The rest of the time we just glimpse them every so often. We have had to stop using kitchen waster in compost bins because in attracts them.

Also, it also works to have a barn cat or have neighbours with cats. It keeps levels down a bit.

If they are down at the bottom of the garden in an area that you don't use, then what is the problem? If you make sure there is no food waste near your house they are unlikely to bother you. Live and let live!

We'd like to use the area, but really cant at the moment. I realise the odd rat is unavoidable, but I dont want to give them 1/3rd of our garden.

Has anyone tried the following?

Hosepipe and water down holes
Peppermint oil
Growing mint by nest

We are being friendly to next doors cat.

I appear to have had some success (went from seeing one a few times a week to not at all), by regularly banging to compost bin where they were burrowing with a stick every time I go past, watering it copiously, and sticking a stick into any hole which I've seen appear in the nearby veg beds where they'd been digging. Apparently they love quiet, dry, and routine - so making it wet, loud and messing with their rat runs will put them off and send them looking for a better hangout. So I'd say that hosepipes down the holes, filling holes in, putting sticks into hole entrances, making as much noise and disturbance as possible in that area may make them upsticks and move. Good luck.

Wire wool down rat holes and along their runs is a deterrent - cheap, easy to use and move hole to hole and pet safe.

Thanks everyone. We'll start making a nuisance of ourselves.

Cat. Big farm cat!

Are you sure they're rats and not voles?

Theres no water nearby for voles, so I don't think so. One of the holes is massive though.

Meredin - I looked at your suggestion of voles in more detail. The holes at the bottom of the garden are too big, but it could explain the smaller holes further up and the peculiar spongey grassed area ( even the estate agent didn't have the nerve to call it a lawn). Thank you. I'm not sure how we can know for sure unless we do a late night stake out.

Thank you. I'm not sure how we can know for sure unless we do a late night stake out. You could get a small live mammal trap and bait it with peanut butter. Or put some bait out and set up a trail camera if you have one or could borrow one. Or you could look for droppings.

Wow this thread has really helped.Monster size rat ambled down my drive way yesterday at 5 , disappeared behind my garage.Last time I saw one long time ago on the tube tracks London, won't have to pay pest control now...I hope.