Rats - worth getting terriers?

[steveR]

I won't use poison.

Trapping is partially successful I find, best results come with a Fenn trap along a wall where the rats run, or create a few tunnels with breeze blocks, but not so good on the baby rats as they sneak through... That Fenn trap keeps on year round...

Terriers/Dogs are ace as they are always on the lookout and when experienced, they will indicate and you can have enormous fun helping them! Even better with a pair of them.

Air rifle and a keen daughter have sorted a lot here this Summer since she baled out of London to WfH!!

 

[steveR]

We had a very bad rat problem once, and did our own clear out with poison and traps. They got so bold, I saw one in daylight in the middle of the yard eating a bean. It meant buying traps and really keeping the bait points topped up.
We have a terrier and she does catch and kill them when she can, but I wouldn't say that she keeps them down to the extent that we can stop putting down poison. The baits are designed so that pet animals can't get at the poison and the dog never, ever tries to eat a dead rat, just kills it.

But they will eat a mouse..... a poisoned mouse.

As will Owls.

 

[britt]

You can't beat well placed fenn traps in suitable tunnels to prevent cats etc getting in.
You will soon learn the best spot about the place. Along walls etc.
They are on duty 24hrs a day and you don't need a bait that's more attractive than other food sources.
My dogs check them for me daily and drag them out into the yard if we catch one.
Poison is expensive and presents a hazard to owls.
A £6 fenn trap can kill an unlimited number of rats over years.

 

[Mur Huwcun]

The rats wont go near it if you have POISON scribbled across the outside

Never though of that, luckily the ones here must be Welsh rats and can’t read English! You’d be better off then writing GWENWYN on one side and stick the POISON side against the wall!!!

 

[ISCO]

We used to.have terrier and they were all right along with poison and kept them.in control.
Father hated cats and wouldn't have one on farm. When my kids were small they wanted kittens and i reluctantly agreed. Best thing I ever did as never see a rat or mouse now. Stopped using poison now.
One of son's mates just started shooting on farm and he just remarked he has not seen a rat yet.
Get a couple of days.

 

[ISCO]

We used to.have terrier and they were all right along with poison and kept them.in control.
Father hated cats and wouldn't have one on farm. When my kids were small they wanted kittens and i reluctantly agreed. Best thing I ever did as never see a rat or mouse now. Stopped using poison now.
One of son's mates just started shooting on farm and he just remarked he has not seen a rat yet.
Get a couple of days.

Should have said get a couple of cats

 

[Wilksy]

I shot rats for a cattle farmer a few years back, 10 shot air rifle with night vision, just sat in the truck in the fold yard, 87 the first night and just chipped away once a week shooting less and less, till we got the numbers down, I think 674 was the tally, but tidying up around the yard made a big difference, also a winter months job as the nettles give them cover, it was great fun

 

[Markstarks]

If you was in the Surrey area I would be more than happy to come and help control your problem .like another member said many people looking to help with PCP air rifles with the appropriate insurance.i hope you get them sorted as they do damage to buildings feed and harvest

 

[Markstarks]

Ps anyone with a similar problem please contact me at henhull@ Google mail.com if you in the Surrey area I will be more than welcome to come and help eradicate them