Rats, mice, control

Poison in dead rats also kills our birds of prey so not something I would ever use.

 

Had a big rat problem during last winter.
Rats coming out of the field into the garden to get bird food.
From this no bird food was put on the ground.
All bird food on a table and even hung in bushes away from access by rats - as rats were seen climbing bushes to get to the food if it was placed on branches that they could climb.

Although I have a neighbour who throws bread out - which is a sure way of attracting rats.
Got two pest control boxes.
Keep poison away from pets and kids.
Use Racan Force Paste - yellow and black stripped box - rats love it,
Stuff you can buy from B&Q etc is useless.
Traps rarely worked for rats.

As for cats - they are more likely to kill rats when rats have been poisoned - as rats obviously become slower.
My rat problems only disappeared when I started to smell fox in the garden.
Only saw it once.

Suggestion
Do not throw food on the ground.
Use proper poison in boxes.
Keep pets under control while using poison.

 

After living with cats for over 50 years...usually it is only one cat that dominates an area as they are very territorial. The density of the cat population and 'pecking order' usually determines how big an area 'belongs' to a particular cat. Rubbing scent glands on objects and people, leaving scat uncovered ( usually cats like bury their faeces and urine) and spraying urine (the latter usually more likely with un-neutered males)are all means of marking territory signalling other cats to 'keep off'. Once the territory is established it becomes their own personal WC and they start to bury faeces and digging up exposed soil.Unfortunately if the territory belongs to a none cat lover with a nice garden it is very annoying and frustrating.

We have tried many cat deterrents over the years, Citrus, 'keep off my land' and one - a foul smelling garlicky green gel whose name escapes me. None were effective and of course once it has rained you have to re apply. The best deterrent ironically is to get a cat with attitude!!.

All the different cats we had when we lived in Barnsley always used an indoor cat litter tray as kittens and even though when older they were allowed outside they used to come inside to use it. We bought one here even though we are surrounded by fields and our neighbours are hundreds of yards ahead but he refuses to use it unless in winter the outside one my wife made is too wet from the rain.

Bringing 'presents' into the house or leaving them outside the entrance denotes that the 'family' i.e. humans in the house are not hunting and so not feeding themselves properly. The offerings (often the choicest 'bits' are a demonstration of the cat's affections for its ....owners...err.... servants. It is always advised that you should never chastise a cat for such behaviour and never dispose of the 'gifts' in the cat's presence. Cats we have lived with over the years have brought home mice, voles, shrews, and our latest cat even brought lizards and a snake!! Fortunately they have always been deposited on the patio next to the kitchen door rather than into the house.

Incidentally, Fired's moggy looks like a Salmon Tabby. Tabbys are not a breed but have a gene that runs through many breeds. They are noted for being very sociable and affectionate (and quite demanding of attention!!)

 

have you drawn that dog donny? its not a bad effort if you have

 

I miss my cats. They had a charming trait of jumping on the roof,and then onto the bedroom windowsill at 3 in the morning and scratching to be let in if we couldn't get them in at night, even if the cat flap was unlocked!

 

a farmer who i know called me yesterday afternoon because he's got a big problem with rats at the moment, i went up for a look around and the barns are alive with rats getting stuck in to cattle feed

my mate is a pest controller for a local authority so i gave him a bell to come and give me a hand in getting shut of them and while he was there he was telling me that since the lockdown started they are getting inundated with people having problems with rats.

So it does look like rats are a big problem at the moment

 

No I haven't DK. My son works in Wakefield but is working from home at present. He sent a colleague
a photo of our little dog and she did the sketch as a gift for his birthday. Talented lass isn't she.? As it was
our wedding anniversary on the 3rd, I asked my daughter in law who is very artistic, if she could have
the sketch copied and framed. She has arranged for it to be transferred onto a framed board. Hopefully,
my wife will be very pleased with the result when it's delivered.