Rat advice

[walshie 2,804]

A permission I have has trouble with rats. The deal is I can shoot what I want around the farm, as long as I thin his rat population out too.

I don't know much about rats expect they are quick!

Poisons or traps long term are out of the question as there are members of the public there 7 days a week, so is shooting them the only option?

As soon as I enter the buldings, they scarper. I've got a couple so far, but that's hardly going to make a dent.

I've tried putting a few traps down there for the evening, but I know rats take days before they will take a bait. I caught 1 like that, but only by his tail as he ran by I guess.

Any advice much appreciated.

[paulus 26]

a loaf of fresh bread staked in the ground and or a feed tray of corn or better still maize

[walshie 2,804]

a loaf of fresh bread staked in the ground and or a feed tray of corn or better still maize

 

Does that work "real-time"? I mean is it likely to work while I'm actually there or does it take a few days before they get used to it?

[FENN 24]

Keep baiting one area every time you go to the farm but dont shoot the rats that go on the bait untill they feed confidently this should take a couple of days.

After a couple of days put more food in the same place and try to get somewhere up above floor level and wait they will soon come !.A good bait to use is a pigs head pinned to the floor the rats have to stop and chew a piece off the head this then gives you more time to get a good shot on them.

[paulus 26]

a loaf of fresh bread staked in the ground and or a feed tray of corn or better still maize

 

Does that work "real-time"? I mean is it likely to work while I'm actually there or does it take a few days before they get used to it?

both depends on how many rats and their tollerance to humans, try it and see

[walshie 2,804]

I will. Cheers bud.

[rogue with a running dog 22]

get a pack of terriers in for a morning sport will thin them out then bud

[moxy 617]

I would lamp them with a dimmed light and red filter. And shoot them

 

Baiting may work but you already have feed points situated around the farm and the rats will know where these are.

 

You may spook the odd few with the lamp but they will soon adjust and get used to it.

 

The rats know their way around the farm so with a few visits you will soon learn them too and find the best vantage points to shoot them effectively.

 

You may have to move the odd feeder, rearrange a pile of useful shite that farmers hold on to, anything really to aid you but you soon pick it up.

[paulus 26]

I would lamp them with a dimmed light and red filter. And shoot them

 

Baiting may work but you already have feed points situated around the farm and the rats will know where these are.

 

You may spook the odd few with the lamp but they will soon adjust and get used to it.

 

The rats know their way around the farm so with a few visits you will soon learn them too and find the best vantage points to shoot them effectively.

 

You may have to move the odd feeder, rearrange a pile of useful shite that farmers hold on to, anything really to aid you but you soon pick it up.

seems to be a farmer thing i use to go to farm that was rammed with piles of usefull shite that might come in handy one day

[moxy 617]

All tied together with bailing band lol

[paulus 26]

All tied together with bailing band lol

[The one 8,507]

There was a post on here about baiting with nutella and oil

[PIL 7]

There was a post on here about baiting with nutella and oil

very effective

[moxy 617]

There was a post on here about baiting with nutella and oil

very effective

 

But only in situations where the rats are scavenging or the food source is running low.

 

In an agricultural situation where a food source is in abundance you will find that the rats will be a little reluctant to take it from the off.

It may take a few days if not longer to lure them out of there comfort zone to a place where you can easily shoot. No matter what your using to bait with. Even if you put a flake in the bait and sprinkle it with hundreds and thousands, they aren't instantly going to come in droves to lap it up.

I'm not saying baiting doesn't work. Just that I find its not a time efficient exercise nor is it cost effective. (I know a jar of choccy spread is only a quid. But I am tight!!)

 

I would just quietly sneak around the farm and be as opportunistic as the rats themselves.

[PIL 7]

There was a post on here about baiting with nutella and oil

very effective

 

But only in situations where the rats are scavenging or the food source is running low.

 

In an agricultural situation where a food source is in abundance you will find that the rats will be a little reluctant to take it from the off.

It may take a few days if not longer to lure them out of there comfort zone to a place where you can easily shoot. No matter what your using to bait with. Even if you put a flake in the bait and sprinkle it with hundreds and thousands, they aren't instantly going to come in droves to lap it up.

I'm not saying baiting doesn't work. Just that I find its not a time efficient exercise nor is it cost effective. (I know a jar of choccy spread is only a quid. But I am tight!!)

 

I would just quietly sneak around the farm and be as opportunistic as the rats themselves.

:laugh: sound advice