Wildlife and .... rats!

I'm all for encouraging wildlife into my garden, but, today when I was tending to my ducks and hens and admiring my raised beds, a cheeky fellow (broad daylight!) hopped across my path.

Lo and behold, Mr Ratty Haven't seen any since we moved here two years ago when it seemed like the overgrown jungle housed a fair few. But, clearly they are back and appear to make their escape under the sheds (I think that is quite "traditional"?)

I do know if you "see one, there will be at least two: breeding!".

So, my question is: because I have ducks and hens, I'm not too sure about putting down any poisons

Even without my ducks and hens, my garden will be prone to rodents, small and large as it borders a park (locals casting rubbish hither and thither ... thankfully they have - mostly - got the hint that my garden is no longer a rubbish dump ... but they still see the park shrubbery as a dustbin/emergency toilet).

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. It may have been cute and it may be natures wildlife, but I really do not want them peeing on my veg, nibbling my sleeping birds or spreading Weals Disease, if I can help it.

TIA

 

You can get metal traps that catch them live. How you dispose of them after that is up to you.
My OH used to shoot them with an air rifle from our bedroom window.
We had one of those lights that come on when it detects movement. It was fine tuned until it came on when rats came out. Worked a treat.

 

A trap of some sort that your ducks can not enter. Old hardware shops were so handy for this sort of thing and usually a bit of free advice. Air rifle would be another possibility but if your aim is anything like mine perhaps not. I borrowed one to remove a grey squirrel, he used to carry on as normal eating my hazels probably died of old age or obesity.

 

hans, I would happily "bear arms"; however, Mr Mum is definately against that idea (he's a fussy eater and I can see he may be a tad concerned if he refused to eat a meal I'd slaved over if an air rifle were freely to hand ) Plus, because we are sited adjacent to a public park, I think there are restrictions which would impede harnessing that idea?

Do you mean the old fashioned "snap" mousetrap thingies? Hmm, wonder if they still sell them?

 

Was yours as big as this ... which is a mouse, you should see the rats ...



We use little pocket thingies we buy in the DIY and put them in boxes in the shed (a large brick-built edifice) with holes that only the offending creatures but not our cats can get into.

 

Ok, I had a mouse

 

Snap rat traps are available from hardware stores & garden centres. You can get humane traps, but I think its illegal to let a rat go once you've caught it, bit like the Welshman in the Cathedral Close law, you're obliged to kill them.

 

Your Dark Side is starting to show Marley

 

I wouldn't have a problem with the culling, although I would prefer to spend my time on other, more pleasant things in life.

Loving the peanut butter/plaster of paris idea! Thank you!