Rats!

Bandidoz · Post by **Bandidoz** » 08 May 2006, 15:03

With rats about you have to be pretty careful about Leptospirosis ("Veil's disease?); I heard a story about someone who dropped a cigarette on the ground, picked it up a put in his mouth, then died 2 days later. It is easily treatable if diagnosed quickly. Otherwise it can be fatal.

One of the guys I work with came down with it. He was exhibiting flu-like symptoms for days, and became really ill as the doctors spent days trying to work out what was wrong with him whilst in hospital. He very very nearly crossed over to the other side (said it was better than any acid trip he'd ever had) and when he came back to life, he lost his ability to hear in one ear. This all happened about a month after he'd finished building a recording studio in his house. Gutted.

Pete_M · Post by **Pete_M** » 09 May 2006, 07:54

skeptik, thanks for the info Ill take him along.

Pete M

Andy Hunt · Post by **Andy Hunt** » 03 Jul 2006, 19:49

Guess what . . . they're BACK!!!!!

Da-da-daaaaaa (dramatic music)

There's gonna be a stake-out tonight! They have been taking bread crusts we have left out for a fledgeling sparrow which is in our garden, we have been leaving them on the log chopping block for it.

I have found evidence of burrowing too . . .

The crusts will be going out tonight, as usual. But there will be a surprise waiting for Mr Ratty!

Andy Hunt · Post by **Andy Hunt** » 04 Jul 2006, 10:26

Well, I waited outside with my air pistol until it was too dark to see, and they didn't come to take the bait - so I brought it all back inside and went to bed.

I've decided I'm going to get rid of the wooden gates at the bottom of my garden, and replace them with a brick wall and a small, well-fitting gate. The gates are for my drive, but as the drive has been converted to raised veg beds now, I don't really need them any more.

Should keep them out in future.

skeptik · Post by **skeptik** » 04 Jul 2006, 12:27

Andy Hunt wrote:
Should keep them out in future.

No chance. If they know there's something worthwhile on the other side, they'll just go up and over in the dark. Obviously they can't do a gecko up a completely smooth surface, but rats are quite good climbers.

...and... an adult rat can jump about 4 feet.

Andy Hunt · Post by **Andy Hunt** » 04 Jul 2006, 13:58

I'll get a spotlight and sit out waiting for them. It will be like a cross between The Great Escape and Zulu.

MacG · Post by **MacG** » 04 Jul 2006, 15:37

Andy Hunt wrote:I'll get a spotlight and sit out waiting for them. It will be like a cross between The Great Escape and Zulu.

Get an assistant with night vision who really enjoy the job:

Andy Hunt · Post by **Andy Hunt** » 04 Jul 2006, 16:00

You know - it really is tempting. And I know my other half would want one.

My only concern is that I am trying to encourage frogs in the garden, to eat slugs and snails. I got some frogspawn this year, and have my first generation of small frogs now.

Then again, rats probably eat frogs . . .

MacG · Post by **MacG** » 04 Jul 2006, 20:55

Andy Hunt wrote:You know - it really is tempting. And I know my other half would want one.

My only concern is that I am trying to encourage frogs in the garden, to eat slugs and snails. I got some frogspawn this year, and have my first generation of small frogs now.

Then again, rats probably eat frogs . . .

Well, if cats have a choice, they will go for rodents WAY before going for frogs. They prefer lukewarm food above cold food. Most of all they prefer food humans buy for them in shops of course, and they treat humans as automatic door openers. If you want a killing machine, go for a kitty with kittens. Got to keep rodents away from her kittens, and will kill indiscriminately. Got to teach the kittens also, and bring home rodents for the kids to play with. Could play with them for hours while the reponsible mother keep a watchful eye over the game and interfer when needed. "Clumsy kids let you get away eh? Not for long as long as I'm around!"

If a cat start to go for frogs, it's just because the rats are gone. In that case, try to attract rats from the neighbourghs so the cat has something to do.

careful_eugene · Post by **careful_eugene** » 05 Jul 2006, 11:20

Andy Hunt wrote:Well, I waited outside with my air pistol until it was too dark to see

Do you know anyone who could lend you an air rifle? A rifle is usually twice as powerful as a pistol so you're more likely to get a clean kill. If there's a scope it's also more accurate. Good luck

Andy Hunt · Post by **Andy Hunt** » 05 Jul 2006, 11:46

I possibly could, from our air gun club. It's getting the blighters to come out into full view that's the problem!

I've put a load more poison down, and blocked up the tunnels - fingers crossed. They had taken some of the poison when I checked this morning (but dug some more tunnels).

grinu · Post by **grinu** » 05 Jul 2006, 20:39

Interesting fact of the day: The black rat in ondon is a BAP species, which affords it protection!!

MacG · Post by **MacG** » 05 Jul 2006, 20:54

grinu wrote:Interesting fact of the day: The black rat in ondon is a BAP species, which affords it protection!!

Yea. And the main reason for the demise of the black rat is... *tada*: The Brown Rat! Plain old Darwinian competition.

It's pretty clear from the pictures that Andy is hunting down the brown rat, thus (remotely) helping and supporting the black rat.

Blue Peter · Post by **Blue Peter** » 06 Jul 2006, 09:23

grinu wrote:Interesting fact of the day: The black rat in ondon is a BAP species, which affords it protection!!

What's BAP stand for?

Peter.

grinu · Post by **grinu** » 06 Jul 2006, 23:16

Biodiversity action plan.