Rats

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
I hate them.

The past 4 days one of our cats has bought 4 rats home, 1 was running round our kitchen today after she brought it in the house. The rest she has killed in the garden thankfully. Luckily I caught it in a saucepan and jammed the lid on and released on the lines, but is this year a rat epidemic? I've messaged the allotments behind us but we've lived here many years and never had an issue before :(

Am I suffering alone?
 

littleme

250,000th poster!
I hate them.

The past 4 days one of our cats has bought 4 rats home, 1 was running round our kitchen today after she brought it in the house. The rest she has killed in the garden thankfully. Luckily I caught it in a saucepan and jammed the lid on and released on the lines, but is this year a rat epidemic? I've messaged the allotments behind us but we've lived here many years and never had an issue before :(

Am I suffering alone?
I've heard it's become a problem, although I've not had a problem for a couple of years... Firsts one was the size of a cat, it just sauntered past the back door like it owned the place, second one I think the cats killed, but just left.... The stench was unbelievable, blood, piss & shit mixed together, found it hidden by the shed....
 

Lucy

Well-Known Forumite
We had them in the garage a couple of years back, I was merrily cycling away on my turbo trainer and thought I saw the cat out of the corner of my eye, but no. We had the rat man out and although I'm sure they're still about there's no sign of them in there. The cat seems to have found a shrew's nest though
 

Glam

Mad Cat Woman
We have them here in Castletown, possibly as a result of the road works, who knows?
Youngest saw one in the back garden a bit ago, size of it put a Labrador puppy to shame. It was enormous!
 

The Hawk

Well-Known Forumite
Is there anyone else on here who remembers Coypu in the UK. I still remember my first jaw dropping moment when I saw one at Cley in North Norfolk. Anyone who has ever encountered a Coypu would never describe a Brown Rat as large.

They were found mostly in Norfolk, but also spread to surrounding counties. I think the UK population peaked somewhere around 200,000. They were finally eradicated from the UK in 1989.
coypuvsrat.jpg
 

Studio Tan

Well-Known Forumite
Are the rats marshalling their forces - and propagating - because they’re outraged at the ‘interloper’ Covid-19 virus ?
Some rats have been found with “We own the plague” burnt into their fur.

Seriously though, apparently large demolition / construction sites can disturb settled rats who then spread out into the surrounding community. There were reports of rats invading gardens around Weeping Cross / Baswich when the old police HQ was cleared.
 
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Tumble weed

Well-Known Forumite
Rats no , small field mice, yes.

Cat eats about one a night. Even treated to him dragging one in the other week. Have no idea where he finds them !
 

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tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
Rats no , small field mice, yes.

Cat eats about one a night. Even treated to him dragging one in the other week. Have no idea where he finds them !
I saw one on the Isobel trail a few weeks back, didn't seem to care about us humans. I thought it was a pet it was that bold!
 

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
We're up to 11 rats now since I first posted. It's depressing and disgusting! Making the cat flap out only has prevented them being brought in to the house which is helpful I guess!
 

gilesjuk

Well-Known Forumite
There will be a nest somewhere, my neighbour found them nesting under his decking. They're really destructive too, they'll chew through wooden doors and they even chewed through a brick wall at my mothers old house.
 

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
I agree but it's not on my property... I saw the cat arrive home with a live rat last month and she came from the allotments.. They deny a rat problem :(
 
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