There's a rat in my compost heap!
25 April 2008, 11:57 AM
#1
There's a rat in my compost heap!
What am I gonna do?
I know I'll probably get lots of UB40-type jokes
but I went to put the first grass cuttings of the year on the compost heap and found it's got a couple of tunnels in it. Now I know where the rat we saw in the garden the other day is living! 
So, what's the best rat-remover I can use? (No Paul, flamethrowers and nuking them from space don't count!
) I don't want to run the risk of killing any of the many birds we get in the garden so loose bait is out - unless it's in a container I guess?
Saw this on Screwfix: Pre-Baited Box
Any thoughts?
I presume ratty is just living in the heap as it's a nice sheltered, warm environment; we don't put anything like kitchen scraps etc on it - only grass, spud & veg peelings, tea leaves, etc.
Cheers,
Steve
I know I'll probably get lots of UB40-type jokes
but I went to put the first grass cuttings of the year on the compost heap and found it's got a couple of tunnels in it. Now I know where the rat we saw in the garden the other day is living! So, what's the best rat-remover I can use? (No Paul, flamethrowers and nuking them from space don't count!
) I don't want to run the risk of killing any of the many birds we get in the garden so loose bait is out - unless it's in a container I guess?Saw this on Screwfix: Pre-Baited Box
Any thoughts?
I presume ratty is just living in the heap as it's a nice sheltered, warm environment; we don't put anything like kitchen scraps etc on it - only grass, spud & veg peelings, tea leaves, etc.
Cheers,
Steve
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25 April 2008, 12:21 PM
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I've got a 'Rat Zapper', its basically a tube closed at one end that you put the bait in. If ratty goes in then he gets electrocuted. Never had to use it for a rat, but it fries the mice good and proper 
25 April 2008, 02:34 PM
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I'd throw you a link if I knew where it came from, borrowed them from my dad, I think he bought it from the CPC catalogue.
25 April 2008, 02:36 PM
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google power!
Electronic Rat Killer £29.95
Not my version but very similar
Aha, here is mine
Rat Zapper - Item Code: 168430E
Electronic Rat Killer £29.95
Not my version but very similar
Aha, here is mine
Rat Zapper - Item Code: 168430E
25 April 2008, 02:37 PM
#14
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25 April 2008, 02:46 PM
#17
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According to the blurb, the one in the 2nd link can be used outdoors.
25 April 2008, 11:03 PM
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We've had a rat living under our shed for a few years.........he doesn't bother us.........we don't bother him......
Well apart from the time our cat brought him in to play.
https://www.scoobynet.com/non-scooby...ighlight=yikes
Well apart from the time our cat brought him in to play.
https://www.scoobynet.com/non-scooby...ighlight=yikes
26 April 2008, 08:34 AM
#27
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google power!
Electronic Rat Killer £29.95
Not my version but very similar
Aha, here is mine
Rat Zapper - Item Code: 168430E
Electronic Rat Killer £29.95
Not my version but very similar
Aha, here is mine
Rat Zapper - Item Code: 168430E
26 April 2008, 11:34 AM
#28
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They carry diseases, at least one of which can be fatal to humans, ( Weils Disease) A lady i used to work with had a relative who died from it. He was a mechanic for a bus company and used to take sandwiches and tea to work and take his breaks in the mess room/canteen. Apparently rats were in the room at night and urinated and deficated on the tables and benches. This guy must have touched an area which the rats had fowled, picked up the disease on his hands whch was transferred to him via his sandwiches.
Geoff.
Geoff.
26 April 2008, 12:04 PM
#29
They carry diseases, at least one of which can be fatal to humans, ( Weils Disease) A lady i used to work with had a relative who died from it. He was a mechanic for a bus company and used to take sandwiches and tea to work and take his breaks in the mess room/canteen. Apparently rats were in the room at night and urinated and deficated on the tables and benches. This guy must have touched an area which the rats had fowled, picked up the disease on his hands whch was transferred to him via his sandwiches.
Geoff.
Geoff.
oh right
26 April 2008, 12:32 PM
#30
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Rats love compost bins for the reasons you quote, we have got one living in ours too, but there are always rats living in a garden area, they are very good at hiding. We can be bothered to worry about our rat, he keeps our very large cat interested just in case he gets the chance to catch him, since he does not live in a sewer he is probably not disease ridden anyway. Mrs Leslie has not gone so far as to think of a name for him yet though. She had names for a couple of mice we used to have!
Les
Les