Rats - AAaaaRGH!

[SamDavis]

It's been really wet with heaps of storms here (and elsewhere) the last few weeks so losing the odd bird in my large planted aviary seemed fair and reasonable - or at least acceptable. Then on Sunday I spotted rat poop in a feed dish. Searched around and found a hole in the ground out in the open part of the aviary. Dropped some poison down and covered the hole with mesh.

Monday morning more rat poop in the feeder. So I decided to get serious. Spent much of monday ripping out all the brush, digging up the ground, blasting hose down holes, etc. Never found a rat but did find a hole where he's got in (and probably where the sparrows got in some months ago). The shelter is covered in shade cloth then battens then colorbond - something had eaten through the shade cloth right up in the far corner. I also found a nest of at least five longtails that have been eaten, a nest of plumheads/stars also eaten and a painted nest with eggs along with half eaten hen. Also assorted other adult finches and even a king quail cock up in the brush - all half eaten. Not happy!

Tuesday I mouse meshed the roof under the shade cloth. Did a heap more digging and flooding, and then rebrushed the shelter. Thought I must have either got the bugger or at least driven it away. Nope he's still about. This morning more poop in the feeder, another half eaten painted hen and a few more longtails missing in action. As soon as I hit "Submit" I'm off to buy every rat trap the local produce store has in stock!

I will win!

[Diane]

Shame about all your birds. Good hunting.

[Lukec]

ahh no good luck.

[djb78]

Sorry to hear Sam it would be very frustrating but you will win when you catch the bugger. I myself having alot of wet weather have seen a mouse in the bird house, bait, cleaning and replacing live traps I to hope to catch the bugger before it invites his mates. That's just one of my issues also have black ants invading my aviery so far me 100,000 to ants 0 ,they haven't yet touched a nest but going to food. Taking a while but I will kill the nest of ants and the mice.

[mackstaa]

That's really sad mate, get him b4 he does anymore damage. I use bromakill which must be sweet for them because they ho it down soon after I place it and powerful enough to get rid of the rats, it's horrible to find carnage at any rate, feel for u bud.

[SamDavis]

Thanks everyone.
Both types of rat trap mention vanilla essence as an excellent bait, so I'll try that as well as seed and peanut butter.
Tonight is D-day - the war will be won!

[ColouredFeathers]

Sad to hear about the rats they are the worst things to get in your aviery
i use bromakill hope you get them all good luck .

[arthur]

If you don't get it/ them tonight then the remaining birds will need to come out

Rats will just keep on going until there are no birds left, apparently killing just for sport . . often one bite only from the breast

Only animals I don't feel some empathy for are rats and snakes

[E Orix]

Sam
If your aviary has a ceiling check it out especially if you can find a small gap he can come or go in.
Bait if the normal bait doesn't attract him put some poison meat near the feed tray.He is eating bird bodies
as his 1st choice hence the chop or something.
After 28 years I eventually got a 1/2 grown rat in early this season,in 1 night, he at from memory 9 Song Sparrows, a hen Painted and a Spice Finch
I flushed him by flooding the aviary floor and he headed for high cover and was jumped on. Flat and dead.
They are my absolute fear because of the carnage they can do.
Goodluck

[garyh]

Terribly sorry for your lose,i know you will get them,once they kill your bids its WAR,talked to another member today who has the same problem,found a rat hole in his aviary and started to count the lose,huge ,heaps of birds gone,get into them have no sympathy for rats or mice,garyh.