Rats - AAaaaRGH!

07 Mar 2012, 17:48

Thanks again for the suggestions and support.

I've been using Rodex B all over the property for a few years - works great for mice. In aviaries I have it behind mesh to prevent finch access but of course this also excludes rats. Talking to a few neighbours it seems there are a few rats about at the moment. I've just replaced all feed with traps so fingers crossed.

Arthur - I have a feed trap in the aviary and I've caught a few birds during the day, but catching them all will take time I'm afraid. I'd probably have a heart attack running around with a net in this aviary.
E Orix - I tried flooding the other day and unfortunately he didn't emerge (I actually thought he must surely have drowned). I've flooded this aviary some years ago to get rid of mice with success via the backside of a shovel and a few stomped on. I'm confident I've plugged any possible rat sized entry points so he must be in the aviary somewhere.

And garyh - The Rambo in me has been awakened and tonight is D-day. So rats, enjoy your few remaining hours on the planet!

07 Mar 2012, 20:44

Squash him!!!

The thing I hate about baits is the rat usually dies somewhere you cant find and stinks the area out for awhile.

07 Mar 2012, 20:45

Sam,
I have found these work,you just have to wire them down ,put them along the walls and make sure the birds cant touch them

http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/trapp ... -p-59.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

07 Mar 2012, 20:51

So sorry to hear of the carnage. It's that time of the year again though unfortunately. Hubby put the new box of rat poison on the bench in the garage last week. This morning when he went to get it to rebait. Someone small and furry had chewed their way in and started feeding.

I do love a dumb mouse. And that explains the smell that is now eminating from the garage.
LML

07 Mar 2012, 20:53

from memory ratsak and talon from coles destroyed the mice I had in my home.

They ate four bait trays in one night and that was that.

07 Mar 2012, 22:08

Sam after baiting try and keep water up and out of the way so mice/rats can't drink after eating, apparently if they drink after eating bait they can dilute the poison enough that they won't die, don't know 100% if this is true but after being told this I keep water away and find more dead mice than if water is left out. Just a suggestion.

08 Mar 2012, 00:06

I had a dirty great rat running around the outside of the aviary in the middle of the night trying to get in last week. I put down Ratsak and Tomkat in a plastic pipe under the aviary. I found it dead on the lawn 2 days later. The first night it ran off with all the bait blocks. I have been using 2 inch pipe with bait and have noticed it dissapearing rather quickly. There are lots where I am from and bloody great snakes. The white tail rats are also a big problem as they will eat through the predator proof wire.MIce are also in plaque proportions. The war continues. Nothing inside the aviary yet but I guess it is only a matter of time. I have pulled 8 snakes (maybe some of the same ones ) from the aviary doors in 2 weeks.I have been "relocating" those buggers. I am just wondering what else eats finches. Oh yes, the army of butcher birds that haunt me every morning.

08 Mar 2012, 05:38

djb78 wrote:Sam after baiting try and keep water up and out of the way so mice/rats can't drink after eating, apparently if they drink after eating bait they can dilute the poison enough that they won't die, don't know 100% if this is true but after being told this I keep water away and find more dead mice than if water is left out. Just a suggestion.

I always thought that the water was the trigger for internal haemoraging once they ate the bait...

08 Mar 2012, 06:15

Quick update - no rat in any of the traps this morning

.
No chance of keeping water away from him I'm afraid as we had over 100mm of rain last night and it's still bucketing down as I write.

08 Mar 2012, 12:13

I feel for you sam as it has also happened to me last season.
mine were entering via the hail mesh roof material, they can chew through it in no time. i have mouse mesh walls but this is just a ladder to the roof for the little @#*!%. a flight perimeter wall at least 600mm high is the only way i have found to keep them from the roof.
bait, bait and more bait is all i can suggest once they are in your aviary.
happy hunting anyway