Rat control

[tankgirl1]

Hi
We have rats in the stables! All food locked away but they are still coming in. YO has given me some manky old poison to use but I’m worried about the wildlife like owls etc. Not allowed cats.
What humane traps have worked for you please? I really don’t like the idea of poison and am happy to take them for a drive after trapping.
Thanks

 

[SDMabel]

Found human traps to be inefficient compared to the rate they populate .

Probably not the answer you are looking for , but i'd find a local terrier pack a lot would come for free just to work the dogs.

 

[Katieg123]

Has anyone had any success with the high pitched noise type deterrent?

 

[TPO]

Baited non humane (kills) metal traps here.

One year it was so bad we did resort to poison but they wouldn't touch it.

 

[limestonelil]

We tried everything one year when the rats got to be a horrendous problem in the farm buildings. It was only poison that eventually got on top of them, but we didn't want to use it. A case of needs must.

 

[Britestar]

Get a professional in.
Its really the only way.

 

[twiggy2]

Hi
We have rats in the stables! All food locked away but they are still coming in. YO has given me some manky old poison to use but I’m worried about the wildlife like owls etc. Not allowed cats.
What humane traps have worked for you please? I really don’t like the idea of poison and am happy to take them for a drive after trapping.
Thanks

It's not legal or kind to re locate a wild animal from where you trapped it, you also potentially just create a problem in another area.
Kill traps are a better option.
Personally I would try and get terrier men in and follow up with traps.

 

[Parrotperson]

Has anyone had any success with the high pitched noise type deterrent?

no. They're hopeless Don't work at all.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Hi
We have rats in the stables! All food locked away but they are still coming in. YO has given me some manky old poison to use but I’m worried about the wildlife like owls etc. Not allowed cats.
What humane traps have worked for you please? I really don’t like the idea of poison and am happy to take them for a drive after trapping.
Thanks

I use these https://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/products/ruby-rat-and-mouse-bait-blocks-300g-pouch

 

[AutumnDays]

I have a Patterdale terrier the ones that escape we had put down humane cage traps, but once they were caught I'd shoot them point blank with an air rifle. I didn't use poison as I didn't want the dog to get it, and I didn't want them dying somewhere random and stinking the place out! (Friend had this issue, went in through a vent and died in the cavity wall, stank to high heaven for ages )
(Edit because I pressed post too soon!)

 

[vmac66]

I use poison, not nice but effective. Had 2 dead ones in my stable yesterday, they were huge. I've ordered some wire wool to block the holes up where they are coming in and also going to try peppermint in a spray.

 

[dreamcometrue]

Hi
We have rats in the stables! All food locked away but they are still coming in.
What humane traps have worked for you please? I really don’t like the idea of poison and am happy to take them for a drive after trapping.
Thanks

Maybe they are still coming in because someone catches rats in humane traps elsewhere and “releases them” near your stables.

 

[Griffin]

Electronic traps are good if you don't have many but in your case I would see if you can get terriers in. Rats need water to survive, so it's hard to stop them from accessing it in stables.

 

[tankgirl1]

Thanks everyone, I’ve bought some instant kill traps as consensus seems to be no to humane traps, don’t think YO would like terriers coming round and poison gives me the heebie jeebies - will update how I get on!

 

[TPO]

Air the traps first to get rid of smell and use gloves when setting it so no human smell

Sweetcorn and scrambled eggs are good bait, as is molassed or sweet mix horse feeds

 

[twiggy2]

Good luck OP

 

[Melody Grey]

Found human traps to be inefficient compared to the rate they populate

really hope that’s humane traps!

 

[Melody Grey]

Has anyone had any success with the high pitched noise type deterrent?

Ineffective against mice we’re currently finding. Luckily, we don’t seem to have a rat problem.

 

[SDMabel]

really hope that’s humane traps!

Depends how annoying the on site humans are yes sorry defo humane ....

 

[seriously festive equine]

Agreed that poison is the best option we use MVF Own brand.

 

[Bayracer]

Get the terriers guys in for a night or two. No mess, quick and easy and no risk to anyone other animals or wildlife.