Rodent problem In the loft

[brightspark]

It may be illegal too use gin traps but lots of things are illegal but you know needs must and all that

an mk4 fen trap which are legal replaces the old gin trap so no excuse

 

[GW8IZR]

always makes me smile when I hear someone say 'I dispatched it..' almost as if they cant bring themselves to say 'I killed it ..' but the smile is not about that, many years ago I had to kill a rat that had been caught in a neighbours trap and it was dragging the trap round their greenhouse.. the neighbour was shrieking and wailing about the poor thing and for sure its not nice to see something in pain. Anyway it was soon sorted and to spare her a bit of stress I used the polite term that I'd dispatched it for her.

She just looked at me through teary eyes and said 'oh god no.. where have you sent it ....'

:-)

 

[Kent]

Poison to deal with the issue and traps 365 days a year.
Most rat poison require multiple feeds it's to protect non target species. Some poison is still available (weak stuff that the rodents have overcome by not being fully poisoned in the oast and building a genetic immunity). Modern professional poison is a lot stronger and dogs etc are in danger from it.
Rats in the ceiling still require poison, it's better than a house fire to have a few days stink from one you can't find. Trust me I have been there done that stink thing

 

[Kent]

Your right about scent but if you put new traps in boiling water that takes the new scent away then oil them with cooking oil or similar. When I was trapping a lot all new traps were hung out side for months before use. Setting them in the correct place is vital too, you can make them interesting to your target species too.

I boil, then hang for a good few weeks in the weather. I have never oiled a fenn with anything, can't really see why, any gain in speed has to be offset against smell surely.
Funny thing though because I can catch a few stoats and then a rat in the same trap, same place. You would think they would avoid the stoat smell for months though

 

[brightspark]

mk 4 fens are the business round the property baited as a precaution. I had the 2 rats in house and wanted rid quick so poisoned them I have live catch as well which work after a week or so . just leave them outside to weather so no smell on them. same as my mole traps

 

[Kent]

mk 4 fens are the business round the property baited as a precaution. I had the 2 rats in house and wanted rid quick so poisoned them I have live catch as well which work after a week or so . just leave them outside to weather so no smell on them. same as my mole traps

Yeah I have a good few about the place 24/7/365. Rats in the house ain't funny, been there. Bit like claymores, when they go off you get straight onto the 50 cal. (or poison in this case )

 

[8ob]

The best gear other than a good Moggy is tracking powder, Rats do spend a lot of time cleaning themselves so a few sprinkles of this gear in a known rat run/hole and its game over. They also come out to die through dehydration.

Bob

Scats used to sell it https://www.environmentalscience.bayer.my/Pest-Management/Products/Racumin-Tracking-Powder

 

[Jetex]

I would also go with a mouse or rat trap and bait it with cadburys chocolate buttons, they cannot resist them.

 

[Migmac]

I boil, then hang for a good few weeks in the weather. I have never oiled a fenn with anything, can't really see why, any gain in speed has to be offset against smell surely.
Funny thing though because I can catch a few stoats and then a rat in the same trap, same place. You would think they would avoid the stoat smell for months though

Not for speed, more as an added attractiveness. Started doing whilst an under keeper, orders of the head keeper. Never doubted its effectiveness so continued doing it. One of them old keepers tales maybe!

 

[brightspark]

I watch where I put the live catch traps had a hedgehog in one a few month ago had to cut it out cos of its spikes was stuck firm

 

[Kent]

Not for speed, more as an added attractiveness. Started doing whilst an under keeper, orders of the head keeper. Never doubted its effectiveness so continued doing it. One of them old keepers tales maybe!

Baits at the end of a blind tunnel is popular but it's the first time I heard of veg oil as a bait on the traps
Never used a bait of any description on them myself, just get the location right and the set and they just perform. Surprisingly I have had a few sets not work and then the day before the 5 weeks is up and blat! Often enough becoming good a top spot.

 

[Migmac]

Baits at the end of a blind tunnel is popular but it's the first time I heard of veg oil as a bait on the traps
Never used a bait of any description on them myself, just get the location right and the set and they just perform. Surprisingly I have had a few sets not work and then the day before the 5 weeks is up and blat! Often enough becoming good a top spot.

It’s not a bait, it’s just an added attractant. Always baited my mink traps, never any others. What’s the five weeks? If a trap produces it gets left indefinitely

 

[Migmac]

I watch where I put the live catch traps had a hedgehog in one a few month ago had to cut it out cos of its spikes was stuck firm

Two sticks stuck in the ground at the mouth of the tunnel stops hedgehogs

 

[Kent]

It’s not a bait, it’s just an added attractant. Always baited my mink traps, never any others. What’s the five weeks? If a trap produces it gets left indefinitely

Sorry I was saying 5 weeks to let them get started. Rats take a while to get used to new objects in thier environment. Once in a car ching spot if catches drop drastically they stay exactly where they are awaiting newcomers. Of course I like it when traps stop working in a proven location, it's shows things are pretty rodent free
Rats have been a big problem last few years, even up high on the grouse Moor

 

[captain-destructo]

Then there's this, the heavy artillery which they have trialed over here with great success!

https://www.goodnature.co.nz/products/rat-stoat/

SNIFF SNIFF .......... KAPOW!

Love the description

 

[Kent]

SNIFF SNIFF .......... KAPOW!

Love the description

Available here at an eye watering cost per unit of about fifteen times a fenn mk4!
I do not see many taking it up. The only plus sides is not having to take rats out of traps and multiple catch / kill between inspections however for a line of half a dozen you could have a complete team of operatives in for a full week

 

[brightspark]

SNIFF SNIFF .......... KAPOW!

Love the description

great if u see one of them outside . just nick it

 

[captain-destructo]

great if u see one of them outside . just nick it

just watch where you put your fingers when you pick it up

 

[Kent]

You know it looks like a great thing that has just bypassed one Important initial stage in the brief ££££££££££&£££