Wild rat evidence in my garden ! Advice needed.

[Mamaguineapig]

I have a sets of boars who stay indoors over the winter months . When it is springtime the love getting outside to the smells and sounds and fresh grass. I found lots of evidence of rats at the site in the garden I usually put the hutches and runs . ( no hutches etc out at the moment ) . The boys love the outdoors so much and this rat issue seems to be ruining it for them. Safety comes first obviously .... But anyone got any ideas ? How can you tell if the rats have left ? Ahhh . Thanks all inbreeding

 

[Doeylicious]

You need to call in the rat man, or a friend with a good nosed jack russell/other terrier!

You do need help usually to shift rats as once they find somewhere they like, they stay! I would get the rat man in before you put your piggies out, rats carry disease in their urine and can also attack small furries if it takes their mind too. They are also a health risk to you and if you have any your kids I am afraid

 

[Midge&Panda]

Environmental Health (local council) will be able to help and offer advice. I dont know if it's the same with all councils but when I had a rat problem last year they came out within 2 days and didn't charge.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

This was the very reason why I stopped putting my pigs out on the grass, after we found a dead mouse on the grass once (with no sign of injuries) & saw a rat come round the back of our shed & run under the fence to next door

OH dealt with the rat using bait back then, not a nice thing to do but we don't want them near the garden if we can help it & being next to farmland we know we will get lots. Now I won't risk putting the piggies outside just in case our neighbours use bait as well, if the rats/mice wee on our grass it could kill our pigs, not a risk worth taking.