Rat problem. Help asked for in East Lancs.

[finnbear270]

We have had real success using a shooting party at night .22 rimfire 10/22 red lamps, had great fun between four of us, helps big time backing up trapping.

 

[shakey jake]

As far as I'm aware you can't use warfarin as of earlier this year, you could still use it if you had the relevant paperwork but by now I'm pretty sure that isn't the case. I found this out while trying to sort out a load of grey squirrels.

Grey squirrel bait for use out side for tree protection has been stopped at point of sale if you still have it you can use it but once it's gone that's it, you can still buy grey squirrel bait for indoor use, same strength, same look different bag daft but true! Warfarin and coumatetryl have come back in to fashion a little because of the reduced risk of secondary poisoning, they still kill rats you just need more than with second gen

 

[pj1]

I'm with Phil on this one. If you can beg borrow or steal ( ok not steal ). But beg or borrow an air rifle with night vision and bait the rats with chocolate speed mixed with cooking oil. Take away any food source at night and the rats will soon be on the look out for food. The joy of doing it this way is you can get the rats in a safe shooting position. It may take a few visits but once you've had some succes I'm sure you will be itching for more.

 

[tuck1]

No one has mentioned alu phosphide, I'm not sure what the situation is like with regard to habitable buildings etc, but maybe someone in the know could advise whether it might be viable to use it in conjunction with a trapping/ shooting campaign? (Not something I know much about, but Im sure someone on here does, worth a thought?)

 

[tuck1]

Also, and again my apologies as this is not my first hand experience, but in conversation with a friend recently he told me that since he started using treadle feeders for his poultry he is much less troubled by rats. Just a thought.

 

[Overlay]

No one has mentioned alu phosphide, I'm not sure what the situation is like with regard to habitable buildings etc, but maybe someone in the know could advise whether it might be viable to use it in conjunction with a trapping/ shooting campaign? (Not something I know much about, but Im sure someone on here does, worth a thought?)

The regulations regarding metallic phosphine has recently changed, a trained person (L2) now has to have certification to purchase and you certainly cannot use within a building or within 10 metres of a steading, footpath, water course, correct PPE etc etc etc. - the list is endless - according to the latest update

definite no no

Back to the chuke feed and air rifle

 

[Overlay]

Grey squirrel bait for use out side for tree protection has been stopped at point of sale if you still have it you can use it but once it's gone that's it, you can still buy grey squirrel bait for indoor use, same strength, same look different bag daft but true! Warfarin and coumatetryl have come back in to fashion a little because of the reduced risk of secondary poisoning, they still kill rats you just need more than with second gen

There 2 types of warfarin one make HSE number for squirrels and another for other rodents, get them confused at your own peril

 

[tuck1]

Thanks for the clarification Phillip

 

[enfieldspares]

This, ratting, is what the PCP multi shot air gun excels at. Such as the BSA Scorpion or the BSA Ultra. With a ten shot magazine, fifty or sixty shots on a refill form a compressed air bottle and neither recoil nor report. Red lamps and a decent illuminated reticule sight zeroed to the killing range.

Some bait using liquidised sweetcorn to keep the rats steady whilst they gorge as individual sweetcorn they'll take one and take a wander. Decent such PCP rifles can be had for a couple of hundred and a half quid (heck it's even more a "fad and fashion market" than sporting clays) and the compressed air cylinder around a hundred.

It's probably the best amusement that you'll have and all for less than a decent day out at pheasants or a couple of stalks and a kill fee.

Or speak to your local gunshop and you'll have a queue of volunteers...even a queue if you list it on "Other Shooting Opportunities". If it were East Leicestershire and not East Lancashire I'd jump at the chance.

 

[FrenchieBoy]

Just a quick note regarding some of the replies on this thread:
First of all I now have a couple of Fenn My 4 traps I am running which I was very kindly sent by Andy (Highbird), one of which has already shown a result - See the thread First rat in the bag!! I also have 4 more on order and am awaiting delivery of them.
With regards to using any type of poison - That is strictly a BIG NO NO as far as the landowner is concerned (And I tend to agree with her) regardless of how safe they are to use!
Those that have suggested using air rifles - Yes I can see how much sport that can offer but I personally don't feel like "staking out the area" and sitting there for hours on end in this cold wet weather (Now really the best of sport at this time of the year for us old farts), and the landowner will not allow anyone else to shoot there unless they were in my company.
One thing that I am surprised has not be mentioned (Unless I missed it somehow) on this thread is the use of terriers! Once again that would prove difficult as there is no way that you could raise the poultry houses enough to get terreirs under them, and of course Lynne (The landowner who incidentally hates rats with a passion) would not be pleased if the terriers "disturbed" her poultry! Shame really as I would have liked to try Cody on a couple of rats so he could start "earning his keep" and I think that ratting with terriers really is great sport!
Anyway, hopefully I am now getting the situation under control so thanks to all for your thoughts and input!