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A few weeks ago, I was looking at my bare garden and looking forward to my seedlings taking off and filling the place with lush greenery. No sooner has this happened, what do I see? RATS!! In me garrrrden!! With way too many things to hide behind. Anyway, what I’d like to know is... seeing as it/they keep tramping over my chard, will washing it in Veggie wash be sufficient or should I forget about it and leave it for the birds? Sorry if it’s a daft question but I’ve come across far too many articles emphasising the disease spreading capabilities of rats. I need a lie down....
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Big commiserations, Yasai. I've never had to deal with rats in among my veg, fortunately, so will leave someone with more experience to comment on the problem. But just wanted to give you a sympathetic virtual hug. -
Might be worth a look at your councils website, and see if they offer pest control services?Comment
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You should be able to get a pest controller out from the council, particularly if you are in a built up area.
I should think that your veg will be ok to eat if you give it a good wash, which is sensible with any veg really as you never know if the local cat has sprayed on it, or something.A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP. - Leonard NimoyComment
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what they said. don't forget most farms are in the countryside and that's full of animals doing all manner of unspeakable things....
I'd still get pest control out. subject to their advice, I'd disturb everything - rats don't like disturbance.Comment
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Thanks for the replies everyone. Yes, the council will come out. The last time we had them, they were in our neighbour’s dalek. Not sure where they’re nesting this time but I’m sure it will all come clear soon enough. Thanks for your reassurances/advice.
Sincerely yours, N.C.D. (neurotic city dweller)Comment
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Do you know anyone with a ferret? or better still a mink! They will get rid of the rats very effectivly and empty the nest. Pest controllers will also do a good job. Either way get rid of the whole nest.Comment
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Bait them then sit and wait with an airgun.Comment
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Rats are just part of nature. A wildlife friendly garden will look good to a rat. keep the place tidy near the house and hopefully they will not come too near.
Crops they have gone after in the past are peas (mice), sweetcorn (rats) potatoes (rats), beetroot (rats).
I find that earthing up potatoes and beetroot (when they are egg size+), making sure peas are well supported and don't trail on the floor helps. This year I'm hoping growing sweetcorn in a raised bed near the house deters them from that crop.
I get regularly visited by rats and mice - but on the bright side I've had 2 barn owl chicks hatch this year and a robins nest has just fledged. A couple of weeks ago my wife asked why I had put a load of moss in the open compost bag. I started to remove it when I thought who could have done it. So I put it back and watched. The following day there was a hollow formed in it, the next 1 white speckled egg, then 2,3 and 4 and now they have flown away. We have also had a grass snake after the frogs and newts in the pond. A blackbird nesting for the third year running in out woodpile has had its nest robbed, probably a magpie, for the 3rd year running. And the robins nest was threatened once by woodpecker.Comment
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Expect the worst in life and you will probably have under estimated!Comment
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