Humane rat catcher

[PositronicRay]

We've noticed rats in the garden a few times now, 1st in 14yrs. No idea of the food source, certainly they've not been in our waste bin.

Anyway, gotta be humane, what's the best way?

[PositronicRay]

We have pets, I don't think it's an infestation (yet) so would like to try a humane trap and release into the wild 1st.

Not quite sure where the're nesting but no sign of them in the garage of shed.

[PositronicRay]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

You need to figure out what their food source is and remove that, otherwise killing or trapping them will be an endless and fairly fruitless task. Getting rid of their food source will see them pack their bags virtually overnight.

Seed or grain would attract them, but so would any scraps of uneaten human food - rats are omnivores. Check your bins - are foxes tipping them over and leaving a mess?

Thanks. Bins ok, but I've seen them near the tomato plants, end of season now so these are going.

Compost bin is another potential food source.

[PositronicRay]

Evanivitch said:

PositronicRay said:

We have pets, I don't think it's an infestation (yet) so would like to try a humane trap and release into the wild 1st.

Not quite sure where the're nesting but no sign of them in the garage of shed.

And where would you release them that you weren't just moving the problem to someone else?

Rats will travel quite a distance, so there's a good chance the food source and nest aren't in your garden. They could just be commuting through. Still, not a bad thing to try and catch a few.

Your right they could easily see my patio as an easy commute, I'm going to speak to my neighbours, and at least get my side as clean as possible. I thought I'd release them on open farmland, several miles from the house.

[PositronicRay]

bearman68 said:

Had exactly this problem 2 years ago. 4 stray cats later and I haven't seen evidence of a live rat for a long time.

Ahhhh, that'll explain the "feral cat" thread then.

[PositronicRay]

I'm not going to kill the thing, don't question my motives, it just ain't gonna happen. As releasing on arable farmland is out, I'm guessing I won't be popular @ the local nature reserve, then it'll have to be common land.

[PositronicRay]

ssray said:

if you find its the compost heap, keep it very damp and turn it occasionally, they don`t like change it will spook them

Thanks, I'll try that. I won't be doing anything for 5 weeks, so I'll just look @ garden hygiene for now.

[PositronicRay]

I've found a few rat runs under the concrete gravel boards leading to next door. All blocked up except one, I've put fresh soil around this to see if it's still being used.