greenman 221 Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 I started working full time on the farm we live on and am running the grain store. I inherited a rat problem which I am slowly getting on top of but would appreciate some tips. The building was built in the 60's and has been clad over Yorkshire board giving a living space I can't access. Before harvest when we were empty I cleaned up the best I could and poisoned and trapped hard which really knocked them back. Had the grain store guys fabricate profile sheets for gaps to get it as rat proof as I can. Made sure outside is clear of vegetation so I can see runs and tidied all the crap I was allowed to get rid of so they have as little places to be as possible. Now we are full of grain struggling to get them on the bait. Tried peanut oil force baits, ok when we were empty but no take up now. Still trapping odd one using apple or banana as bait to provide moisture, trouble is they can access gutters to drink so even if liquid baits were still legal I don't think they would use them enough. Using glue boards but nothing on them. Traps are 'trapper t Rex' which I thought looked a bit Mickey Mouse as I was used to fenns or big nippers but are actually pretty good. Any pest controllers got any tips they'd care to share on here or via pm? Quote Link to post
greenman 221 Posted October 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 I'm not talking big numbers here now, just the last few sneaky fuckers that avoid the traps/baits and don't stick their head out when you have the air rifle in your hand. Any tips will be much appreciated. Quote Link to post
nod 285 Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Night vision or fenns on the wheat Quote Link to post
Ratreeper 441 Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Can't really beat terriers and a smoker if at all possible, or setup a dull light where you want to shoot and leave it on for a week. Then just setup a comfy place to sit for a few hours and pick them off with the air rifle, I would use what they are used to eating as bait if it makes sense (i.e. not a small pile of grain right next to a mountain of it, but use grain a few hundred metres away). Quote Link to post
greenman 221 Posted October 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Can't really beat terriers and a smoker if at all possible, or setup a dull light where you want to shoot and leave it on for a week. Then just setup a comfy place to sit for a few hours and pick them off with the air rifle, I would use what they are used to eating as bait if it makes sense (i.e. not a small pile of grain right next to a mountain of it, but use grain a few hundred metres away). Dull light works, I just leave the lights on and the door ajar when I finish work and sneak back in after dark. Usually pick of one or two in an evening like this. I've got wheat bait in the bottom of the pits and elevators but with a couple of thousand tons in store they aren't touching it. They are living behind the H irons between the cladding and the old Yorkshire boarding so they don't actually leave the building. The lurcher killed a few early in the year when I tidied up outside but there is no sign of activity outside the building at the moment. Going to try some jam on the trap plates, see if that will tempt them. I use a hw100 and like the idea of a night sight but couldn't what sort of set up is suitable. Are the scopes night sights only or can it be switched off and used as a normal scope for daytime? Quote Link to post
arnieboy 93 Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 get some bodygrips mate and set them around the edges of the walls get them as there running around before they get on the grain set them every few feet as the just move round them if you catch in one 1 Quote Link to post
greenman 221 Posted October 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Are body grips like the magnums? Got given a few years ago to try when they first came out by a guy from the game conservancy, don't think they ever came out the box, haven't got them now! Might see if I can get hold of a couple, they might work setting them on top of the H irons where they are running. It's a right b*****d. I know where they are, but 90% of the time they can access food and water without going anywhere shootable or trapable and they aren't interested in bait with 2500t of corn in the building. Thanks for the advise, will try the body grips if they'll buy me a couple and keep nobbling them with the air rifle. Quote Link to post
arnieboy 93 Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 they are the magnums mate yes they can be set in more akward places than the fenns on the h irons is idea just clip them to the steelwork so you dont lose them Quote Link to post
foxtails 272 Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 snap traps along the walls ? Quote Link to post
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