What's in my hole?

[MrsSnorty]

Something has made a hole in one of my borders - about 10cm wide (I don't know how deep). I have never seen anything come in or out of it but next door's cats sometimes sit and watch it for ages. Have filled it in with soil twice but - to my horror - whatever it is burrows through and makes a the same shape hole again. No mole hills or anything.

If it's a rat I will have to move house.

[Drusilla]

I had a hole similar to yours last winter and it was most definitely rats (note the plural). I saw them shimmy up my bird feeder. They only disappeared when I stopped feeding the birds, sadly.

[Cammelia]

I'm very interested in this as I too have a hole.

I assumed it was foxes as I have some play in my garden around dusk most evenings but now I'm worried it might be a rat

[misi]

colonoscopy comes to mind

[MarmadukeScarlet]

LOL @ infrared cctv of your hole.

[MrsSnorty]

That is very disturbing Shoshe.
I think the cats would eat the meat before the hedgehog got to it misi - if it is a lovely hedgehog.
I'm am thinking of investing in one of those camera things that they use on nature programs to film what happens outdoors at night. Or is that wierd - infer red CCTV of my hole?

[Shoshe]

We had a rat in the house.

traps were put

it moved them out the way

Bigger traps were put down

It laughed at them

Finally poison was put down

Got the bastard.

It then went and died in the wall cavity

It stunk to high heaven

Rat man put a deodorizer in the vent

Smell went

Went on Holiday

Came home to a bloody kitchen full of blue bottles

Arrrgggggggggggggggggggggggggg

[misi]

as for other holes, shame

[misi]

if its under a chain link fence then it is unlikely to be mice or rats as they would squeeze through the holes rather than dif under. place a piece of meat by the hole, if its rats or mice they will leave it alone, if its a hegehog he may eat it

[MrsSnorty]

Sadly it's been a long time since anything interesting's happened in any other holes round here .

[BroccoliSpears]

PMSL @ this thread title. I love Mumsnet.

[MrsSnorty]

I would love it to be a hedgehog (have big slug population). Thank you for that happy thought. Although it's next to an old chain link fence.

[misi]

hegehog perhaps? they have to dig under fences to get around nowadays when you have panel fencing. I have a hole around 12" under one panel in my garden, the hegehog lives behind a playhouse which is on a slightly raised deck, he comes out at night, mooches around a bit then disappears through the hole into next doors garden. I have tried to encourage him to stay in mine to eat more slugs and snails etc, but mu dog put him off, so my garden is a bit like a dormitory town, kives here, works elsewhere!!

[MrsSnorty]

phew - thank you BALD. Going outside front door now for a fag (being scared of going into my own garden may have some positives...)

[MissisBoot]

Don't worry about it coming into the house - your neighbours cats are probably doing their best to keep the population down and also leaving them on your neighbours doorstep/kitchen floor as presents in the morning.

I was greeted to a three legged dead rat the other morning - truly foul.

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

Roland Rat - I truly wouldn't post real pic I promise you

[squeezes Mrs' knee]

[hellymelly]

Sounds bigish for a rat hole (but I am old so think in inches.)If it is a rat I would leave it alone.they are everywhere,if you kill it another will soon take its place,and if the cats are on a vigil then its days are numbered anyway.Just don't attract any more,eg watch what you put on the compost heap and get seed spill trays if you have bird feeders.

[MrsSnorty]

I can't click on that link BALDs - if it's a photo of one I'll have nightmares (well, probably will anyway).

[MrsSnorty]

OMG how vile. I've got a bit of a phobia. Will the council come even though I haven't seen anything? Will it try to come in the house?

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

rat

[MrsSnorty]

Next door but one has decking, but they also have 6 cats! (Same ones that are staking out my hole).

[Tidgypuds]

A rat probably, I have these too. We back on to a field and so get these holes quite a bit. If you phone the council they will come and put some traps down for you or poision.

[platypussy]

Sounds like a rat but dont worry they can be got rid of. Does your neighbour have decking? We are surrounded by gardens with decking and apparently its a rats paradise.

[MrsSnorty]

That's ok K999. Thought you were Australian or something.

[MrsSnorty]

How do I kill it if it is a rat?

[K999]

Sorry MrsSnorty - was only kidding!