Bait Aversion

[mole trapper 1,693]

Should be back on night time rabbit jobs this week but I've had to waste precious dark nights shooting rats that will not take bait in any form or shape. The farmers have admittedly provided perfect conditions for them using big bales to separate different feed stuffs.

Don't get me wrong I enjoy the night rat work but not at the expense of losing good paying nights on the rabbits.

[shropshire mole 190]

Mole Trapper Ive had the same farm, the farmer does not help - with rubbish all about and wheat galore stored in barns. This winter has been his worst for rats.

 

I ve tried wholer grain wheat based rodenticide, blocks, pasta, but the adults just do not touch it, the young do and die quickly.

 

Have tried placing the bait on runs behind boards etc to protect from non targets, in burrows but bait just not taken, in fact its just kicked out.

 

. Main burrows are on private property so cant gas either

 

Any sensible ideas?? to help control

Edited March 6, 2015 by shropshire mole

[socks 32,253]

You can easily set traps and cover them so that the cats don't get injured ... Infact you should be anyway ....

[J Darcy 5,871]

Give the pasta bait a try.....

[shropshire mole 190]

See above I have.

 

Socks - Would love to trap but farmer says No

[mole trapper 1,693]

Tried the pasta sachets, that's my go too bait.

The farm next to this one I do use fenns in boxes, but this farm "his brothers" I tried and stopped as after promising faithfully he'd check, empty and 're set he didn't, forty miles from me so can't keep calling in to do it and he certainly wouldn't want to pay what I'd need to charge him for it.

No, I'll just do the same, shoot out this clever lot a few times till the weather warms up.

Just wish it hadn't come to a head now.

[Mr Muddy 141]

 

Cant trap due to 2 cats living here fed by the farmer (not feral) so traps are a no no.

 

I recon a few people will have rolled their eyes after reading that; why don't you put the traps in tunnels/boxes?

[Matt 160]

This thread just shows how important it is to educate the customer

 

They didn't call you in because they know how to sort out their issues; so you should show your expertise and make the appropriate recommendations.

 

Just throwing bait at the problems will not provide a long term solution; conditions that are conducive to infestation must be changed, and wherever possible non-toxic solutions must be fully utilised. If customers don't accept that, then you have to try and change their mindset or walk away.

 

Just my opinion lads; and I realise I haven't actually seen the sites in question, or met the customers. You can however, be sure that in the 26 years I've been in the game I've seen very similar sites and met customers with the same attitude.

 

Your responsibility as professionals is to create change, not manage bad habits and ignorance.

[Mr Muddy 141]

 

Your responsibility as professionals is to create change, not manage bad habits and ignorance.

 

Couldn't agree more with that.

There's nothing worse then someone staring at their boots and tugging their forelock while the customer tells them their job.

[jacknife 2,005]

 

 

 

Cant trap due to 2 cats living here fed by the farmer (not feral) so traps are a no no.

I recon a few people will have rolled their eyes after reading that; why don't you put the traps in tunnels/boxes?

He said why the farmer says No

[Mr Muddy 141]

Do you know: ever since I changed my location to Surrey I seem to be getting a disproportionate amount of criticism from people ‘Up North’.

 

Honestly - IMO you should really be very grateful that someone from Surrey is prepared to take the time to talk to you.

[Nicepix 5,650]

Do you know: ever since I changed my location to Surrey I seem to be getting a disproportionate amount of criticism from people ‘Up North’.

 

Honestly - IMO you should really be very grateful that someone from Surrey is prepared to take the time to talk to you.

And without charging the going rate too

[Rowan 308]

What about Phostoxin, could you use this? I know it may not be the complete answer , but can be a way of controlling an infestation.

Edited March 6, 2015 by Rowan

[shropshire mole 190]

.

What about Phostoxin, could you use this? I know it may not be the complete answer , but can be a way of controlling an infestation.

I dont use them myself but understand that Phostoxin/Talunex has its place but can not be used close to any occupied building, so narrows down its use.

Certainly if the burrows are away from buildings and you have the ticket to use it, it could help