Rat related advice needed, please

[CarolineW]

We've got our second rat infestation in the garden in 3 months. We have livestock (hens & rabbits) but are almost fanatical about ensuring there's no spare food lying around, keeping spare food in metal bins, etc. But still they come. This time, they got into our store shed, and ate their way through our apples and potatoes In two days.

So I have 2 questions, really, which I need advice for. We've thrown away all the untouched apples and potatoes, regarding the risk of contamination (rats carry 35 communicable diseases) to be too high to risk just washing them, or composting them.

Does anybody know about the onions which were stored nearby. At least one crate of them came into close contact, as there was a partially eaten potato in it. As for the rest of the crates - don't know.

If we peel and cook them, are they safe? Or is it better to just throw them in the bin with the potatoes and apples? So much work up the swanny - I feel gutted.

The 2nd question I need advice on is this: What kind of dog would you recommend as a ratter / fox deterrent? It needs to not be one which barks all the time, or we'll soon find ourselves (even more) unpopular with the neighbours (who are already understandably unimpressed about the rats).

I grew up with Staffordshire Bull Terriers, which are fantastic ratters and I love them. But they're too boisterous for a small, London terraced house (especially as puppies. the mind boggles!).

I'd go for a cat - but I'm not a cat person. I'm nervous of them and they make me itch

Do all dogs rat? Or just terriers?

Hope that someone knows more than I do and can help me with some good advice. I just know that this rat situation can't continue.

Thanks

[lynda66]

most cats aren't good ratters ...... jack russel for me every time (though an urban fox won't usually be deterred by most dogs ..... our fox isn't ) ....... i wouldn't have chucked the untouched apples etc, a good soapy wash would have done it ...... good luck

[BrideXIII]

I wouldn't advise cats either, a vicious rat can see off a cat most times unless they are determined.
I have had one that caught a rat, but it was trapped in the house at the time.

Jack Russel for me too.

[vicky]

Terriers are good killers! But they will kill your pets too....my neighbour's terrier got into her henhouse this past weekend...

[bobleponge]

Would second Jack Russells. Great ratters. And also small enough for a flat, although would need exercise as they are fairly boisterous things.
My cat has killed one rat, but not sure that would be enough for your needs. I wouldnt have chucked anything that wasnt eaten, would have just washed it.
Feel very sorry for you though, once they are there they are very difficult to get rid of.
Good luck.

[lynda66]

you will have to be very careful though, if they get a taste for killing rats, they may also develop a taste for killing rabbits and chooks ...... the same goes for any dog

[BrideXIII]

Terriers are good killers! But they will kill your pets too....my neighbour's terrier got into her henhouse this past weekend...

that is a point that needs to be considered, if you teach it to kill rats, it will not discriminate, it will chase anything.
have you checked the yellow pages? we have a 'extermination' guy round the corner from us, keeps the dogs and brings them round as needed.

it might be an option to consider before you try getting your own dog.

[PAULW]

What about poison? much less bother than a dog, if a rat is sitting under the shed laughing at the dog there is nothing a dog can do unless it is lucky enough to catch the rat in the open, try Racumin.

[FionaH]

Or try a rat man? They come round, put down industrial strength poison or traps then come back and remove bodies. Job done

[lynda66]

also, do you really want a dog?? ..... not recommended as a purely anti rat device .... a dog is for life not just for ....... rat infestations lol

[maytreefrannie]

What about those devices that are supposed to deter rats? I can't remember what they're called but it seems they emit some kind of sound unheard by humans but it keeps out rats and mice.

I've seen them advertised as battery run for using outdoors.

Has anyone tried them?

[CarolineW]

Well, I had my last dog, Rosie, for 15 years. I finally had to agree to have her put down nearly 2 years ago now. Swore afterward that I wasn't having another dog, as I was so distressed. I know she was suffering, and I had 2 vets tell me that I needed to do it - but I wouldn't have a human who was suffering put down, would I? Anyway, about 2 weeks ago I finally admitted that although I'm still grieving Rosie, I also miss having a dog. I've never been without one before, except for one year between my first and 2nd dogs (Rosie was my 3rd). All of that was to reassure you that a dog would indeed be for life, not just rat infestations

We had the council rat man (who's far better than the ones you pay for, incidentally. By about a 100 times, should anyone ever be in a similar situation). who got rid of the first infestation, and is - by coincidence - due back again this week. But clearly, although they're very effective in the short term, it doesn't get rid of them for long. We have poison down all over, but I really don't like that. Slow, painful death for the rat, and worrying for me when other animals are around. I think my daughter has sense enough now to stay away from it, but still ...

And as I'd been gradually thinking of having another dog anyway, it sort of makes sense to get one who would be an able assistant in the war against the rats!

[CarolineW]

Incidentally, does anyone have any input regarding the onions?

Those devices work very well, maytreefrannie, thanks for the suggestion. At least, the good ones work well against mice in my experience, never needed them for rats (you definitely get what you pay for). Unfortunately, you can't use them around rabbits, as they're also rodents. And we have rabbits

[BrideXIII]

did they piddle on the onions?

thats the trouble with rats and mice, they piddle, all the time, everywhere on everything.
as people have said ' a good washing' but thats up to you, me, i'd have done as you did and binned stuff, but others would have washed it thorougly and eaten them, i think it's down to you really.

you said there was a half eaten potato in amongst the onions, that looks like they have been there, your choice as to what you do now i'd say.

[lynda66]

then in that case jack russell, i have one crossed with a brillo pad, she's actually brill with everything, but when we had rats under the floor, i really thought she was going to rip the floor up to get at them ........ just make sure you treat it like a dog ...... they can be very strong willed, and little sods if you let them get away with stuff (though you probably know all that with staffies) much calmer than staffies if brought up proper, but also can be daft as brushes but ever so much fun ...... and the added advantage is they can get in very small places to chase the rats off