You Dirty Rat...

Selectamatic · Mar 18, 2018

...said some film star, once.

Went to move the Combine today so I could get other stuff out ready for when spring comes (!)

Rat sh!t all over the combine, as well as the strong ratty smell, but surprisingly, no other traces, rat bait laid out in proper boxes, untouched, no rat sh!t on the floor, nothing. The buggers are definitely there though.

Mrs S saw one scarper from the combine when she fired up, and helpfully screamed and ran away!!

So, what are my options, it's in a closed shed along with tractors, machinery etc, I want the buggers dead, but the local cat comes into the shed sometimes, as do some rabbits, I think. We have a pair of dogs that are not allowed in the shed, but it's not impossible that they could get in. Definitely don't want to harm any of the above, just Roland and his family.

Other than spending a fortune on rat bait and putting it everywhere, any suggestions?

DrWazzock · Mar 18, 2018

A cage trap with a trigger plate in it that drops a sliding door at the entrance. Stick some peanut butter on the trigger plate and fettle it up nice and sensitive. Can't remember the name of this trap but it worked for the poison dodgers. Shoot with air gun once caught.

Princess Pooper · Mar 18, 2018

Have you only put rat bait on the floor of the shed, or on the combine? Perhaps they are rarely leaving the combine if that is where there is food, esp if they realise they might encounter dogs/cats at ground level. I would be wanting to put bait on/in the actual combine as long as you can ensure you don't then end up with a combine full of loose rat bait that might not go down well with farm assurance. Also try cleaning some parts of combine off and then assess for new droppings. Assess which best form of bait is as well - blocks, etc might be better?

suffolksmallholder · Mar 18, 2018

Fen traps in 20" long x 7'' boxes baited with chocolate or peanut butter. Staple the chain to the box. The trap needs space to spring shut hence the size & be out of the way of dogs. Check them every day. You'll catch one or four eventually. They are neophobic so leave the traps in the same place for quite a time. it may pay to rub them in dirt if they're new to disguise the newness smell.
SS

Zippy768 · Mar 18, 2018

I know it doesn't rid you of rats, but helps protect the 'bine. Drill sits in behind it

bobk · Mar 18, 2018

Start mine up every week or so .

Pilgrimmick · Mar 18, 2018

MrNoo · Mar 18, 2018

Had them in my NH last winter, buggers chewed through the rear loom, not just in one place but 2 places 14" apart, had to spend a morning with soldering iron and heat shrink tubing soldering in fresh 14" strips of wire, NH in their wisdom had used labelled wires all of the same colour, the labeling being printed into the outer every 4-6 inches. I employ an "expert" rat man now as can't be dealing with problems of kit being chewed.

Dr. Alkathene · Mar 18, 2018

Zippy768 said:
View attachment 647560
I know it doesn't rid you of rats, but helps protect the 'bine. Drill sits in behind it

Couple of fenn traps in wooden boxes , baited along the outside of each side of that rat fence would mop up any rats in the area.

Guy_Incognito · Mar 18, 2018

Feed the cat in the grain bin of the combine, awd boy up the road has for years never any electric faults on his tx36

Farmersboy · Mar 18, 2018

Similar to the rat fence idea. An electric fence wire 2-3 inches off the ground on some battens does the same job. Must be done as soon as its parked up after cleaning

tomlad · Mar 18, 2018

Theoretically the a24 good nature trap is exactly designed for this job
Google it
There are threds on here also
I have one . Im undecided

goodevans · Mar 18, 2018

Selectamatic said:
...said some film star, once.

Went to move the Combine today so I could get other stuff out ready for when spring comes (!)

Rat sh!t all over the combine, as well as the strong ratty smell, but surprisingly, no other traces, rat bait laid out in proper boxes, untouched, no rat sh!t on the floor, nothing. The buggers are definitely there though.

Mrs S saw one scarper from the combine when she fired up, and helpfully screamed and ran away!!

So, what are my options, it's in a closed shed along with tractors, machinery etc, I want the buggers dead, but the local cat comes into the shed sometimes, as do some rabbits, I think. We have a pair of dogs that are not allowed in the shed, but it's not impossible that they could get in. Definitely don't want to harm any of the above, just Roland and his family.

Other than spending a fortune on rat bait and putting it everywhere, any suggestions?

fill with moth balls is supposed to be a good deterrent

Princess Pooper · Mar 18, 2018

https://www.foodandfarmingfutures.c...TI=&sID=MQ==&bckToL=VHJ1ZQ==&qcf=&ph=VHJ1ZQ==

exmoor dave · Mar 18, 2018

How good a driver are you ...... might take some positioning

Robt · Mar 18, 2018

Rats somehow got into my car. They are through the suspension senor wire and a few others .....£975 later......

MrNoo · Mar 18, 2018

Yup, a chap in the yard left his VW Armacock for a couple of weeks, came back and it wouldn't start, the rats had chewed through the injector wires!!

Renaultman · Mar 18, 2018

Mice ate the only non steel bit of the fuel line on my ZK8. Axle out and a few hundred quid later, all's good. Not kept in an agri shed just in her own little tent at home

Doing it for the kids · Mar 18, 2018

tomlad said:
Theoretically the a24 good nature trap is exactly designed for this job
Google it
There are threds on here also
I have one . Im undecided

Be interesting to hear how that goes. I looked at them but I just don't think they work having spoken to others, who are trying to sell them!

Cats and barn owl production!

tomlad · Mar 18, 2018

They will kill !
If something will stick its head up inside

You Dirty Rat...

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