Rats or mice? How to kill them & stop them getting in.
19 December 2011, 10:14 AM
#1
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Rats or mice? How to kill them & stop them getting in.
So I'm up in the loft on the weekend trying to figure out why half the lighting upstairs isn't working (loose connection in a junction box 
) and I start to notice these droppings. A few at first but then the more I look they're everywhere....
Not noticed them before so they're not old, also spotted a few around a down light I fitted not so long ago so must be recent. They are fairly big (~1.5 - 2cm cylindrical) so therefore make me think it's rats rather than mice
Aside from the droppings no obvious signs that they are up there and not heard any noise or anything. Absolutely no idea how they go up there, the ceiling void itself is fairly well sealed, had new sofits / fascias last year and they just have a little ventilation strip on top.
So what's the best way to kill them? Traps, poison or both? How do I stop them coming back as I've no idea how they got there in the first place? There's nothing worth eating up there?
Cheers
) and I start to notice these droppings. A few at first but then the more I look they're everywhere....Not noticed them before so they're not old, also spotted a few around a down light I fitted not so long ago so must be recent. They are fairly big (~1.5 - 2cm cylindrical) so therefore make me think it's rats rather than mice
Aside from the droppings no obvious signs that they are up there and not heard any noise or anything. Absolutely no idea how they go up there, the ceiling void itself is fairly well sealed, had new sofits / fascias last year and they just have a little ventilation strip on top.
So what's the best way to kill them? Traps, poison or both? How do I stop them coming back as I've no idea how they got there in the first place? There's nothing worth eating up there?
Cheers
)
19 December 2011, 11:04 AM
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DO NOT USE POISON
The stink from a rotting dead rat hidden away will spoil your Christmas.
Not squirrels are they? Any overhanging trees?
dl
The stink from a rotting dead rat hidden away will spoil your Christmas.
Not squirrels are they? Any overhanging trees?
dl
19 December 2011, 11:33 AM
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19 December 2011, 01:20 PM
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and you get to clear up the bodies 
19 December 2011, 02:36 PM
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If i were you I would use poison, trapping is all well and good but firstly you have to catch it and you have to keep checking it, with poison they will eat it and jobs a good un as they say. Racco is a good make of poison that is the one we use and recommend!
19 December 2011, 03:00 PM
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Also the 'zapper' is its own coffin, you don't touch the rat at all, just pick up the trap and tip it straight into the wheelybin. It has a flashing LED too to tell if its got one or not, so you can just stick your head in the loft and quickly check from afar.
19 December 2011, 06:03 PM
#19
They can also run up the outside of the walls, i didn't believe it until i saw it at my place in croatia, i got them and the and a few tree rats with an air gun as i tried poison and came back to 10 gazillion dead flies, and still had them, some bait and a bit of hanging about saw them off after a couple of weeks 4 rats and half a dozen or so fury tailed tree rats, they come inside around dusk so just identify there route and happy hunting
19 December 2011, 07:05 PM
#21
Poision is the best and you wont notice any smell if its just 1 or 2 mice.
Also about them climbing up outside walls, yes, they can do this with ease as the brick work is textured enough for them to grip. Mice can even climb up a verticle bit of string believe it or not.
Also about them climbing up outside walls, yes, they can do this with ease as the brick work is textured enough for them to grip. Mice can even climb up a verticle bit of string believe it or not.
19 December 2011, 08:17 PM
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get the council round if its rats they normally do it for free if its mice there's a small charge, id try traps first might only be 1 if you use poison it might stink and there hard to find can also cause flys i had them years ago.
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