Rat-proofing back garden wall.

bizzyb

Hi all

We live in a sem-d and i have recently noticed a rat borrow coming from under the back wall(all that is behind it is fields) we only live here a few months but i was chatting a few neighbours(its just a single row of 10 semi-d's) and the were saying the all have borrows but i don't think its a major problem as i have never seen any and there is no food source as i keep the grass very short and all we have is a trampoline and the kids bikes, buy my wife is freaking,rats are her biggest fear and plus i want the garden safe for the kids to play in. I was thinking of digging out the grass at the back wall about 2feet in and about 1 feet deep and put down fine glass first and then concrete up to grass level,would this help or would there be a better option. She even bought a jack russel over the weekend to try and keep them out!

wayoutwest

Hi busyb -So you are saying that, although you have'nt actually seen any rats or burrows in your garden -you are going to buid a concrete underground 'Berlin wall' just in case the rats MIGHT come in some day?
If you do go ahead, then you could potentially build a block wall on top, which you could then paint with anti-grip paint - that'll really keep the critters out...:D

Markcheese

As an interim get some 1 foot lengths of gutter pipe or similar put a couple of rat poison blocks in each and place a few inside your wall and a few on the far side , rebait after a week or so ... And you'll see if you have a problem....
If they're tunnelling under a wall they're after something, either in your house or a neighbours....

wayoutwest

Markcheese - But neither the O.P or his wife, have seen any rats in there garden.Advising the O.P to lay down poison in an incorrect and dangerous way is is not a good idea, especially when it is known that there are kids and pets around.

bizzyb

Cheers markcheese i think i will give that a try,i know the are there because the other day i put compost over the borrow and the next morning the had dug it out again.

Markcheese wrote: »

As an interim get some 1 foot lengths of gutter pipe or similar put a couple of rat poison blocks in each and place a few inside your wall and a few on the far side , rebait after a week or so ... And you'll see if you have a problem....
If they're tunnelling under a wall they're after something, either in your house or a neighbours....

wayoutwest

At least use the proper bait box if putting down poison so larger creatures can''t get at it. I personally think that poison should only be used as a last resort ie; large area that is overun with them - its nasty old stuff. I would be getting a youngish female cat and not overfeeding it - at least you will have the pleasure of seeing the kill and not have to be worried about any poisoned rats crawling off and being eaten by the neighbours dog.

Markcheese

Had meant to say use down pipe not gutter pipe, but proper bait stations would be a better job ... If your in a country area go to your nearest ag supplier... And ask them,

CJhaughey

Whats wrong with traps? At least they don't kill all the local wildlife like a cat.
Easy to set and very effective.

Ambersky

She even bought a jack russel over the weekend to try and keep them out!

bissyb says he thinks he will try this

As an interim get some 1 foot lengths of gutter pipe or similar put a couple of rat poison blocks in each

Jack Russells of all dogs, they like to dig and can pull a rabbit out of a burrow. Dont you think that your new pet might just manage to pull a block of poision out of a 1 foot length of pipe, heck any length of pipe.

fergal.b

Just live with them, you are in the countryside with a field next to your back garden, you will never get rid of them, you will do more harm trying to get rid of them than they will ever do to you also if you like your plants rats are the ones that eat snails and slugs so they may be helping you out. we are all here for a reason



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Boiled-egg

Simple get a cat