Rat poison

[Malxwal]

Minor rat infestation. Put down some bait boxes, used rat poison from Screwfix. Shot three rats, haven't seen any past couple days till this morning, one wee one, which ventured into a bait box, then was shot on departure.
My questions are, what is good stuff to put in the bait boxes, and over time do the rats get wise to the boxes?

 

[VSS]

The domestic strength rat bait just seems to make the buggers breed faster! You need something like "Jaguar" wax blocks to wipe them out, and a friend who's got the appropriate certificate to buy the stuff.

 

[User00053]

Something bromadiolone based ( multi feed) or brodifacoum ( single feed) avoid imo difenacoum but good for mice, do read label. Wax blocks even when wired rats can chew through and remove then drop, bad for Fido.
Advantage of grain based rodenticide in box’s etc is ratty must pretty much eat there and then so minimise risk to other wildlife, don’t forget to remove when job done.

 

[User00053]

Forgot to mention most common error folks skimp, use plenty as Alpha ratty will take lions share leaving little for others, keep baiting till no feed goes, job done. Also prevention better than cure, but not perfect world.

 

[User00053]

Lastly duh, leave box’s in situ for next batch of gremlins as part of infrastructure, so not something placed into their world that’s new, bait more readily taken faster result.

 

[shakey jake]

if you have the box already use break back traps with some sort of free offering.
any domestic strength multi feed is going to be naff now. single feed stuff is still very dangerous to wild life and pets through secondary poisoning.
if you work out why the rats are coming and adjust the environment to stop it next time you save your money and the field mice

 

[User00053]

Bromadiolone based multi feed baits as sold for non pro use still effective if used correctly as is brodifacoum single feed baits, the environmental risk assessment and common sense dictates it’s use, clearly poison is a last resort and as mentioned earlier prevention better than cure.
Field mice at risk and secondary poisoning to raptors and owls possible, devil. In detail as always.

 

[Malxwal]

Well, the wee buggers are back in force this morning, so I've ordered some Brodifacoum grain based stuff to put in the boxes.

 

[User00053]

Well, the wee buggers are back in force this morning, so I've ordered some Brodifacoum grain based stuff to put in the boxes.

You may have to spend a few quid as the amount they will sell you in one go will probably not be enough, also worth investigating the source, which may not be in your control with plenty more waiting to move in from neighbour. Consider what is attracting them and see if changes can be made as it can be endless if out of your control.
Any dead rats if you find any bury deep even the rotting ones, some dogs especially labs love eating Kelter.
Best of luck. Edit sorry if I have stated the obvious

 

[User00053]

Another thought, don’t know now if things different upt north these days, but if you have ticket or acquire which is not that hard to get depending on situation and how frequent infestations are happening a couple of ten kg bags with added scent to attract ( multi feed but spot on) can be bought for £50 or less, single feed a lot more, but not essential.
Agricultural suppliers have big mark up on rodenticide, best open account with provider if things get industrial or if round home and over counter for non pro use it gets expensive!

 

[Malxwal]

The reason they're about is garden bird feeders, so that'll get stopped. No big grain sheds or farm sheds anywhere near. Water course maybe 100 yds.

 

[User00053]

The reason they're about is garden bird feeders, so that'll get stopped. No big grain sheds or farm sheds anywhere near. Water course maybe 100 yds.

All good end in sight, probably £25 if that, walk in the park, famous last words!

 

[Malxwal]

They do go out with a very satisfying pop when hit with the 22 Winchester subs at five yards, I'll miss that .
It's a shame too, as I kind of enjoyed watching their climbing and gymnastic skills. And it was a step closer to convincing the Mrs we should have a Border terrier about the fold.

 

[User00053]

Good nights ratting sport of kings, like the airgun multiple shots, some follow up and the odd squealer, like you say very interesting to study and clever with it, almost worth getting airgun, withdrawing bait, increasing bird feeders, and getting a border

 

[jall55]

Poison - terrible stuff
Carry on feeding the birds and shoot the rats - great job

 

[sauer]

I didn’t want the secondary poisoning
So went with boxed feb trap round garden and air rifle with pard 007 and my thermal spotter … highly satisfying

Paul

 

[timbrayford]

Anyone tried the Vit.D3 poisons on rats?

 

[willowbank]

Found Slaymor to be effective

WB

 

[Siggy]

Anyone tried the Vit.D3 poisons on rats?

Yes,
very effective and faster acting than SGARs if (And it’s a big if) you can get the rats to eat it. I run into problems where I have bait box shyness or competing food sources. Effectively no secondary poisoning so great for the wildlife, but there is no antidote if its primary poisoning.
its expensive and professional use only.

 

[timbrayford]

Yes,
very effective and faster acting than SGARs if (And it’s a big if) you can get the rats to eat it. I run into problems where I have bait box shyness or competing food sources. Effectively no secondary poisoning so great for the wildlife, but there is no antidote if its primary poisoning.
its expensive and professional use only.

Thats no problem, I've got the Lantra ticket and passed Selontra's course, just wondered if it worked. Haven't found out about the toxicity levels to dogs yet either.