Plugging rat holes in sheds
Discussion
I’ve come home from a week away to find a 5cm diameter hole in the corner of our summerhouse (that we use as a shed) and rat droppings and bird seed all around the edge.
What’s the best way to seal up the hole? If I screw down some plywood or chipboard over the existing floor will the rats just chew straight through again? If I ball up some chicken wire and stuff it in the hole first will that help? Or staple it down and then put the plywood over the top? How about expanding building foam?
Bird seed has been removed and will not be returning. I’m surprised that they knew it was in there and were determined enough to chew through the floor to get in! Bloody pain in the arse!
What’s the best way to seal up the hole? If I screw down some plywood or chipboard over the existing floor will the rats just chew straight through again? If I ball up some chicken wire and stuff it in the hole first will that help? Or staple it down and then put the plywood over the top? How about expanding building foam?
Bird seed has been removed and will not be returning. I’m surprised that they knew it was in there and were determined enough to chew through the floor to get in! Bloody pain in the arse!
Removing the food source is the fist and main step to detering them as that's all they are really after.
The hole stuff temporarily with wire wool, they hate it and won't bite it. They might just chew through another part of the shed initial but once they realise there is no food they will move on. Just make sure there is not a lot of crap in the shed that provides lots of lovely shelter as they might use that to meat while they search for other food sources.
Of course if you really want to off then then put some poison down.
The hole stuff temporarily with wire wool, they hate it and won't bite it. They might just chew through another part of the shed initial but once they realise there is no food they will move on. Just make sure there is not a lot of crap in the shed that provides lots of lovely shelter as they might use that to meat while they search for other food sources.
Of course if you really want to off then then put some poison down.
We are currently fighting a war with rats in the house. The little s
ts will chew threw anything. 2 days ago I found they had chewed through the back of the fridge. Expanding foam & wire wool is your friend for filling holes they cause.
Poisons by the way are not a good choice. It will kill the rats but unfortunately can take carrion birds with them. Alternatively they just die somewhere concealed leaving you with a terrible smell.
ts will chew threw anything. 2 days ago I found they had chewed through the back of the fridge. Expanding foam & wire wool is your friend for filling holes they cause.Poisons by the way are not a good choice. It will kill the rats but unfortunately can take carrion birds with them. Alternatively they just die somewhere concealed leaving you with a terrible smell.
Thanks all!
I will get some wire wool today, thanks for the tip.
Not keen on using poison anyway. We live in a row of terraces with lots of narrow gardens where everyone has sheds, lots of people putting bird food out etc. I feel like it would only be effective if everyone in the row was putting poison down. On the other side of our road is a river and small nature reserve, so I think the rats are here to stay. I am happy to share space with the wildlife, I just don't want them stting in our outbuildings 
This could be the thing I need to convince Mrs Jimmy156 to get a cat... The kids would love one!
I will get some wire wool today, thanks for the tip.
Not keen on using poison anyway. We live in a row of terraces with lots of narrow gardens where everyone has sheds, lots of people putting bird food out etc. I feel like it would only be effective if everyone in the row was putting poison down. On the other side of our road is a river and small nature reserve, so I think the rats are here to stay. I am happy to share space with the wildlife, I just don't want them s
tting in our outbuildings This could be the thing I need to convince Mrs Jimmy156 to get a cat... The kids would love one!
Riley Blue said:
jimmy156 said:
This could be the thing I need to convince Mrs Jimmy156 to get a cat... The kids would love one!
Get two, preferably siblings.Kids would also have loads more fun with a dog than a cat - although admittedly my opinion is biased as a "dog person"!
TBH, might be better to look at the wire wool option rather than getting into a potentially expensive 12+year obligation to sort out a relatively minor issue
OzzyR1 said:
Get neither and buy a Jack Russell / fox terrier or two instead.
Kids would also have loads more fun with a dog than a cat - although admittedly my opinion is biased as a "dog person"!
TBH, might be better to look at the wire wool option rather than getting into a potentially expensive 12+year obligation to sort out a relatively minor issue
This, Mrs RJ saw a rat in our outside utility room, so I shepherded it towards the door and as it started to run across the patio, it was intercepted by Daisy our fearsome JRT! Quick shake of the head and ratty was no more. Kids would also have loads more fun with a dog than a cat - although admittedly my opinion is biased as a "dog person"!
TBH, might be better to look at the wire wool option rather than getting into a potentially expensive 12+year obligation to sort out a relatively minor issue
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