Gransnet forums

Chat

Rats

(55 Posts)
grannyrebel7 Fri 14-May-21 19:17:48

My next door neighbour recently had her garden completely cleared of all vegetation and has had paving laid. Prior to this she had a virtual forest there with trees growing over our garden and her neighbours on the other side. Ever since this was done we have seen the occasional rat in our garden (which has probably come from there) and so have our neighbours on the other side and the neighbours on the other side of them. My DH and the neighbours wanted to kill them, but I was against this so we ordered a humane trap which hasn't arrived yet. Anyway today sitting in the garden we saw about 4 or 5 rats running around and one cheeky one came quite close to the house. This has really freaked me out now and I realise something more drastic must be done. However, the animal loving side of me finds this difficult, on the other hand I'm scared they'll get into the house. Anyone had any experience of rats in their garden and how did you deal with it?

LadyHonoriaDedlock Fri 18-Nov-22 17:43:10

The rats were always there, they as now simply more visible. If you can find the nest(s) and destroy them it might be more productive.

Ziplok Fri 18-Nov-22 17:49:53

Yes, you’re right, NotSpaghetti. 😁

Debbi58 Fri 18-Nov-22 19:10:46

The lady in the bungalows behind ours puts food on her grass for the hedgehogs. This attracts rats , they tunnel under our fence into our garden , as well as our other neighbours garden. We've asked her not to do it because of the rats but I'm pretty sure she still does, as I saw one just last week running along our railway sleepers. A couple of years ago, our old neighbour called the rat man in and he knocked on our door to say, make sure you pick up after your dog everytime, rats see dog mess as a source of foid 🤢

Esmay Tue 29-Nov-22 20:35:14

trisher is absolutely right - you have to kill them .

Building work in our road disturbed them and we've had them twice .

They ate their way through the electric wires supplying the oven and have fused out the house .

They ate through the hosing on the dishwasher and flooded out the downstairs .

I've had to throw out a great deal of food as they munched their way through packaging .

There's a risk of disease from them .