Getting rid of a rat help?

[lise08]

I have a rat living under my shed and I've had the local pest man out who has put down a bait box. That was 4 weeks ago and the rat is still walking around my garden like it owns the place! Is there anything I can do to eradicate this pesky rodent?

I have a child and a dog so is poison out of the question? Ovbiously now the warmer weather is coming I really want to get in the garden but can't because of the rat!

Any suggestions would be great!

[hc4361]

Shoot it with an air rifle. It is legal to do so.

[B00]

I can't see the rat coming out in broad daylight whilst you, your child and the dog are out in the garden. Well not unless it pulls up a deckchair and sits alongside you ;-)

It will, at some point eat the rat poison. We had one at work in the warehouse and I think it took it several weeks to get round to eating it, but it did, and we found it belly up underneath a cage (I felt a bit sorry for it to be honest!)

Unless someone who knows about this comes along, I honestly think you can safely assume it safe ot use your garden during the day.

[bigfoot3000]

Lise I dont wish to alarm you but what makes you say its the same rat?The original could be dead and there could now be a family of rats that "All look the same" so I'd investigate it further, whens the ratman coming back to check his traps?

[lise08]

The pestman is coming back friday and he's been back every week since putting the bait box down and the rats haven't touched the poison.

So is it just a waiting game then? Waiting for the pesky rat(s) to decide to munch it?

Thanks for your replies

[brenda]

Rats are by nature very cautious, and it will take sometime for them to investigate the bait box.The pest man will tell you if the bait is nibbled.There is hardly ever a solitary rat,under your shed you may have a family.Rats are afraid of humans and will steer clear of them, they are not vicious animals to humans unless cornered.

[paddywak]

What kind of dog have you got ? Max my GSD will not tolerate any thing on his patch. If your dog isn't that way inclined don't you now anybody with a jack russel? they are born ratters, they can't help themselves if there is a rat about jack will go for it and he won't stop till he's got them all

[bigfoot3000]

?

[kia cat]

not Ben or Willard then?

[moonraker558]

Try placing some hamster food in a container somewhere near his "run" but near to some cover where it will feel safe and have someone waiting with an air rifle to pick it off. Rats are not solitary animals so if you have one there are bound to be more around there somewhere or soon will be. You shouldnt have any trouble finding someone willing to have a go at it. The only good rat is a dead one.

[horselady]

I used to have a rat that came and sat and watched me as I hung washing on the line, not in the least wary of me!

[ChuckFickens]

You've probably always had rats in your garden, and probably always will do. just ignore it and get on with your life, it won't do you any harm.