The council took it upon themselves to clear an area near the bottom of our garden which had been thick with brambles (a haven for blackberry hunters), ivy, and other overgrown greenery. As a result, the now-homeless rats are looking for alternative accomodation and sources of food, and have decided to try their paws at our Girls' walk in run.
Fortunately, I spotted the first excavations immediately. We baited the tunnel and blocked it up. We started brining in the food each evening, and each mrning we find evidence of a new excavation. So, we're baiting (which is horrible, poor rats) and trapping (which is more humane, but not always possible) to try and discourage them, and blocking. Each day we sweep away the debris of the diggings so that so that we can see evidence of new excavations.
In the current weather, we can only take immediate short term measures. In the Spring, we'll have to concrete the whole area to provide permanent protection. Not great, but probably necessary.
Fortunately, I spotted the first excavations immediately. We baited the tunnel and blocked it up. We started brining in the food each evening, and each mrning we find evidence of a new excavation. So, we're baiting (which is horrible, poor rats) and trapping (which is more humane, but not always possible) to try and discourage them, and blocking. Each day we sweep away the debris of the diggings so that so that we can see evidence of new excavations.
In the current weather, we can only take immediate short term measures. In the Spring, we'll have to concrete the whole area to provide permanent protection. Not great, but probably necessary.
