bait stations

[firewatch]

For poison. Just put refills in ours as the poison had gone, our neighbour shoots the rats i poison. Which is better? I have two dogs and a toddler to think about so use a sealed bait unit which i have put some apple along with the poison. I know poison makes for a lingering death and shooting is quick and clean ish but i just dont have a steady enough hand!

[RATTER15]

In most cases I would prefer poisoning over shooting. Depending on the infestation problem, shooting the odd rat here and there would unlikely be effective. Rats don't actually suffer as you may think, whilst it may take a day or so do die they are not in pain, they bleed internally and they usually fall asleep and die. Manufacturers are governed by law to prevent any unnecessary suffering to any poisoned animals. Any creature that is shot and then survives go through a really agonising death! I always say that if you cant kill your target humanely then you shouldn't be trying to kill it at all!

[firewatch]

Thankyou you i was worriead they would suffer, but you have put my mind at rest. We have a largeish problem as we back onto a stream and next door has chickens which are being terrorised regularly by rats.

[RATTER15]

I would be tempted to give the council a ring, they will probably put it on contract and keep bait stations in the area and monitor them every few weeks.

[firewatch]

I have not seen the rat man since his initial visit. The rats are taking the poison our spaniel got a nip from one whilst she was sniffing the trap last night, shes ok but dont think she will go near it again!

[RATTER15]

They should me monitoring the bait stations regularly, especially if it is quite a problem, heavy infestations in such areas I would have monitored ever 48 hours to start, once the problem is largely eradicated I would then slowly reduce visits to monitor and replace baits every 6 weeks.

[ummmm]

Ratter...will rat poison kill other animals?

[RATTER15]

ummm, if the poisons are placed correctly no other animals should be able to access them, however bait stations put down for rats will also attract mice and may kill them. It is a possibility that a non target species could get hold of the poison but this is rare unless the bait stations are tampered with. These days nearly all poisons contain "Bitrex" as a taste deterrent, Bitrex is the most bitter substance known to man, rats and mice dont appear to taste it. I have tasted it on many occasions, it really is nasty!!

[firewatch]

We have a locked bait station, like the one you see in supermarket car parks. Its put so its at the entrance, most common area, for rats and buried to deter the dogs. Lucky is just to damned nosey!