How to get rid of rats when you have a pet?

[LunacyPays]

We have had a continual problem with rats in our garden. They worry me because they seem to be nesting right outside our sitting room window and I'm scared they will eventually bury into the house (!). In the past I have controlled the problem fairly effectively with poison and traps in childproof/pet proof boxes. When we got our kitten I got rid of all the poison and traps because even though they were advertised as pet-safe, I worried that the cat would get into them. The bait boxes allowed the poison to be tipped out fairly easily.

My problem is, it is now time to let our kitten outside for the first time, but I also need to take some measures to control the rodent problem. I have just seen an enormous black rat saunter under our fence!

We have had the council out before and they were close to useless - just put bait boxes out which is what I had already been doing.

Our kitten is probably the most cowardly creature I have ever come across, so I don't think we will be getting much help from that quarter!

Does anyone have any suggestions?

If they're in the garden I would just forget about them. They're unlikely to come into the house if you have a cat. They really don't do any harm in a garden.

We have rats in our stables and two stable cats. I find the only way to get rid of them is with the cheap rat bait sold at wilkinsons. It's in big pink sachets. The cats don't go near it. If you put it down religiously for ten days on the rat runs, it should get rid of your problem. I would keep your kitten under supervision whilst you are dealing with them.

thecatneuter - I am worried because they are so close to the house. Before this house, we lived in a house where there was a problem with rats inside due to a sewage pipe that had not been blocked properly. As a result, I am quite phobic about them.

Scandinavian - the sachets of bait worry me slightly because grains of bait can be scattered easily, but I may have to do this for a while and delay letting the cat out. Anyone know if I can buy really big bait blocks anywhere? I was thinking if I put these in a bait station they would be less likely to get scattered/fall out.

Borrow a jack Russell or similar type dog. You may need to keep the kitten away from it as well though.

I'd hold off on worrying until your kitten hits the teenage and/or adult years. Many's the cowardly kitten who grows into a sublime rat assassin. Of course, you will then be receiving dead rats as gifts for some time.

My mum's cat is the fattest cat in the world. It's a serious problem, and it's her fault mostly, but at least part of the issue is probably his habit of settling his entire four tonnes down on a cornered rat and squishing it to death before devouring it in full at his leisure. You'll be surprised what cats can manage, is my point.

If that doesn't work, get a second cat and cross your fingers its a ratter. Repeat as neccessary.

Shaska, I am keeping my fingers crossed that our cat, whose nickname is The Wussy Pussy will turn into The Terminator! Sooner, rather than later.

If that doesn't work, get a second cat and cross your fingers its a ratter. Repeat as neccessary.

I quite like rats. Very cleaver animals, you can litter train them.

I now have a sort of cartoon image of a sumo cat, sitting on a rat and flattening it.