Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Taxi_Driver on 23 October 2011, 20:38:59

Title: Rats
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 23 October 2011, 20:38:59
I've had a builder in twice in the last two weeks.....and he's coming again tomorrow...why? to stop those evil creatures (i hate them) getting in to my extension, where the kitchen and bathroom is.

I live in a terrace house......but the problem started with next door....a single mum on her own with kids....not looking after her property....she had holes in her eves on her single storey extension....which is built against my single storey extension....pitch roof above them....so they found a way in her side and found they could get into my loft from her loft.....

So the builder (paid by me, coz i thought i was onto a no go asking for money from nextdoor) blocked up all the holes in her eves and also blocked up any holes in my loft leading to her loft.

Problem solved you may think!! Apparently not!

One rat or possibly more ....must have been my side when the builder blocked up my side of the loft....coz since then i've heard scratching in my loft and an inspection of his work by me yesterday in the loft.....cement has been chewed  :o and a hole has appeared by the backdoor on an internal brick wall  :o (its got down the cavity to do this)

And this must be one clever rat.....coz the rat poison i'd left in the loft hasnt been touched.....

Its also blooming destructive......chewing thro' brick walls to get out   :o

So the builder is going to block up the hole its made in the brick wall tomorrow....in the meantime the internal door to the kitchen (from the backdoor/bathroom) i close at night or when im out.....and a rat trap laced with part of a mars bar sits by the back door....

Its seems to me rats.....once used to be able get somewhere.....will chew thro anything to get there if they want to  :o

I dont care how much this costs me.......i will get rid off them......tho it doesnt help i suggested to next door several times she stops putting food out for the birds.....but she still does.......bird food after dark is rat food!!!
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: CaptainZok on 23 October 2011, 20:42:45
Borrow a ferret.
Apparently rats won't go anywhere they smell ferret.
Surprisingly we're a rodent free zone. ;D
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Vamps on 23 October 2011, 20:51:45
We had what we think must have been a rat in the garage one night, as thinks got knocked of shelves that a mouse would not have done, the thing managed to escape by going under the garage up and over door but not before eating most of the brush type of draft excluder on the bottom of the door.... ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Lazydocker on 23 October 2011, 20:52:40
Where did the poison come from? I'd suggest a trip to a local Farm/Equestrian Store and have a chat... See if you can get something a bit stronger and non-commercial as they may take that ;)

Or, and probably cheaper than the builder, just get a pest control expert in
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: PhilRich on 23 October 2011, 21:08:00
TD, I know this is going to sound daft but the Mars bar may not work! However, a couple of red berries from a nearby bush or tree just might, as apparently rats are attracted to the colour!! :D  At my last house I was driven up the wall by rats after my granddaughters rabbits bedding & we tried all the usual including Mars, toffies, bacon (cooked & raw!) then an old guy with an allotment gave me the tip about the berries & de-corpsing the rat trap was a regular thing for a week until they either got the message or ran out of volunteers! ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Plomien on 23 October 2011, 21:08:34
also try peanut butter on the trap rather than a mars bar :y
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: PhilRich on 23 October 2011, 21:13:14
also try peanut butter on the trap rather than a mars bar :y



I can just hear the voiceover now..... This is not just any peanut butter & red berry, this is M&S peanu....... you get the idea! ;D ;D
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 23 October 2011, 21:14:59
Where did the poison come from? I'd suggest a trip to a local Farm/Equestrian Store and have a chat... See if you can get something a bit stronger and non-commercial as they may take that ;)

Or, and probably cheaper than the builder, just get a pest control expert in

Answer to first highlight....Someone i spoke to about the problem.....had a similar problem and was buying rat poison that farmers use,,,,ie blocks of poison bought from Countrywide.....it turned out his rat was just moving the blocks of poison and not eating them.....his rat got killed when it chewed thro a live mains cable!

2nd highlight......they will possibly want to fumigate.....and i would need to move out while they did this.....this happened with a house across the road from me.....council will send out 'rat catchers' at £50 a pop, but they only put down poison.....possibly stronger than i have.....but no good if the rat wont eat it......

Makes sense to me.....builder blocking all the holes......eventually either the rat/s carnt get in/out....end of problem...hopefully  :y
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 23 October 2011, 21:22:42
TD, I know this is going to sound daft but the Mars bar may not work! However, a couple of red berries from a nearby bush or tree just might, as apparently rats are attracted to the colour!! :D  At my last house I was driven up the wall by rats after my granddaughters rabbits bedding & we tried all the usual including Mars, toffies, bacon (cooked & raw!) then an old guy with an allotment gave me the tip about the berries & de-corpsing the rat trap was a regular thing for a week until they either got the message or ran out of volunteers! ;D ;D ;D

Thankyou for the tip  :y i was told they go for mars bars  :-\
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: PhilRich on 23 October 2011, 21:30:21
TD, I know this is going to sound daft but the Mars bar may not work! However, a couple of red berries from a nearby bush or tree just might, as apparently rats are attracted to the colour!! :D  At my last house I was driven up the wall by rats after my granddaughters rabbits bedding & we tried all the usual including Mars, toffies, bacon (cooked & raw!) then an old guy with an allotment gave me the tip about the berries & de-corpsing the rat trap was a regular thing for a week until they either got the message or ran out of volunteers! ;D ;D ;D

Thankyou for the tip  :y i was told they go for mars bars  :-\





Well maybe yours have a sweet tooth teeth! ;D ;D
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Richie London on 23 October 2011, 21:30:45
you need to mix the cement with crushed glass. rips there feet to bits and they eventually bleed to death. used to do it in the shops and my mum house when she had them last yr.
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Webby the Bear on 23 October 2011, 21:37:18
buy a few guns and invite all your friends round for a piss up and a night shooting rats. something different!  :y
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 23 October 2011, 21:39:31
you need to mix the cement with crushed glass. rips there feet to bits and they eventually bleed to death. used to do it in the shops and my mum house when she had them last yr.

better go and smash a few car windows tonight then   :D

thanks for the tip richie  :y
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 23 October 2011, 21:45:35
buy a few guns and invite all your friends round for a piss up and a night shooting rats. something different!  :y

funny you should say that......a friend of mine has offered me his 12 bore shotgun  ;D .....he's into guns and bows and arrows.....all legal.....he has licenses for them all.....says he often kills vermin with his guns  ;)
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Webby the Bear on 23 October 2011, 21:51:15
buy a few guns and invite all your friends round for a piss up and a night shooting rats. something different!  :y

funny you should say that......a friend of mine has offered me his 12 bore shotgun  ;D .....he's into guns and bows and arrows.....all legal.....he has licenses for them all.....says he often kills vermin with his guns  ;)

too right  :y

my mrs being from texas told me all sorts of stories about her old man with a bow and arrow. thats how he had a f*ckin great deer head in his front room  ;D

no offence but i think ritchies idea is a bit, erm, unnecesarily cruel. put them out cleanly and as humanely as poss in my book.  :y
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: ted_one on 23 October 2011, 21:54:21
Dont have that problem,I've got a cat that's built like a brick outhouse and he does them on the spot,does'nt play around with them cos they're a bit dangerous in a tear up,same with squirels the only difference is that only the tail gets left behind as he's a bit keen on the taste,yuk! :o
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Vamps on 23 October 2011, 22:06:50
Dont have that problem,I've got a cat that's built like a brick outhouse and he does them on the spot,does'nt play around with them cos they're a bit dangerous in a tear up,same with squirels the only difference is that only the tail gets left behind as he's a bit keen on the taste,yuk! :o

We did not have mice till we got a cat......fing thing........ >:( >:(
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: ted_one on 23 October 2011, 22:38:20
Mice, they are just a starter,the only thing that he's not got hold of yet is a snake and we live where there are quite a few Adders so we're just hoping that never happens because that could end up being his last tear up ::)
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Gaffers on 23 October 2011, 22:44:14
I have one solution for rats and it's .22 wide.  Used to lamp them in cellars in Sheffield where my mates were in student digs :y
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: tunnie on 23 October 2011, 22:46:24
I have one solution for rats and it's .22 wide.  Used to lamp them in cellars in Sheffield where my mates were in student digs :y

Bit of a girl that, mate I work with has a .357, should really go to his gun club and try it out!
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Lazydocker on 23 October 2011, 22:55:12
I have one solution for rats and it's .22 wide.  Used to lamp them in cellars in Sheffield where my mates were in student digs :y

Bit of a girl that, mate I work with has a .357, should really go to his gun club and try it out!
But Guffers gets to play with real ammo, .556, .762, and (I should think) 9mm :y :y

Although the .22 he's referring to is likely Air powered and less likely to continue around the planet/through walls after passing through the Rat ;)
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Vamps on 23 October 2011, 23:08:57
I have one solution for rats and it's .22 wide.  Used to lamp them in cellars in Sheffield where my mates were in student digs :y

Bit of a girl that, mate I work with has a .357, should really go to his gun club and try it out!
But Guffers gets to play with real ammo, .556, .762, and (I should think) 9mm :y :y

Although the .22 he's referring to is likely Air powered and less likely to continue around the planet/through walls after passing through the Rat ;)

Old SLR???
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Lazydocker on 23 October 2011, 23:13:59
I have one solution for rats and it's .22 wide.  Used to lamp them in cellars in Sheffield where my mates were in student digs :y

Bit of a girl that, mate I work with has a .357, should really go to his gun club and try it out!
But Guffers gets to play with real ammo, .556, .762, and (I should think) 9mm :y :y

Although the .22 he's referring to is likely Air powered and less likely to continue around the planet/through walls after passing through the Rat ;)

Old SLR???
I have actually ;D ;D

And the target rifles in my time :y :y
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Vamps on 23 October 2011, 23:49:47
I have one solution for rats and it's .22 wide.  Used to lamp them in cellars in Sheffield where my mates were in student digs :y

Bit of a girl that, mate I work with has a .357, should really go to his gun club and try it out!
But Guffers gets to play with real ammo, .556, .762, and (I should think) 9mm :y :y

Although the .22 he's referring to is likely Air powered and less likely to continue around the planet/through walls after passing through the Rat ;)

Old SLR???
I have actually ;D ;D

And the target rifles in my time :y :y

What, you have one?....
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Lazydocker on 23 October 2011, 23:52:57
I have one solution for rats and it's .22 wide.  Used to lamp them in cellars in Sheffield where my mates were in student digs :y

Bit of a girl that, mate I work with has a .357, should really go to his gun club and try it out!
But Guffers gets to play with real ammo, .556, .762, and (I should think) 9mm :y :y

Although the .22 he's referring to is likely Air powered and less likely to continue around the planet/through walls after passing through the Rat ;)

Old SLR???
I have actually ;D ;D

And the target rifles in my time :y :y

What, you have one?....
No... But played with one in the past ;) ;)
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Vamps on 23 October 2011, 23:58:14
I have one solution for rats and it's .22 wide.  Used to lamp them in cellars in Sheffield where my mates were in student digs :y

Bit of a girl that, mate I work with has a .357, should really go to his gun club and try it out!
But Guffers gets to play with real ammo, .556, .762, and (I should think) 9mm :y :y

Although the .22 he's referring to is likely Air powered and less likely to continue around the planet/through walls after passing through the Rat ;)

Old SLR???
I have actually ;D ;D

And the target rifles in my time :y :y

What, you have one?....
No... But played with one in the past ;) ;)

Right, was what I used when I was in the Navy, 15 when I joined.... :D :D :D
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: CaptainZok on 23 October 2011, 23:59:38
Did they do muskets in that calibre V? ;D ;D
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Vamps on 24 October 2011, 00:06:42
Did they do muskets in that calibre V? ;D ;D

I am not that old, when at Rorkes Drift we had single shot rifles, and great big bayonets, you should remember them.... :D :D :D
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Rods2 on 24 October 2011, 01:07:11
When I had a problem where a rat, a few years a go, had got into my utility room. I moved the freezer so it was in the open and my Yorkshire terrier did the rest, with the rat dispatched in seconds.  :y
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Gaffers on 24 October 2011, 06:13:19
I have one solution for rats and it's .22 wide.  Used to lamp them in cellars in Sheffield where my mates were in student digs :y

Bit of a girl that, mate I work with has a .357, should really go to his gun club and try it out!
But Guffers gets to play with real ammo, .556, .762, and (I should think) 9mm :y :y

Although the .22 he's referring to is likely Air powered and less likely to continue around the planet/through walls after passing through the Rat ;)

Old SLR???

GPMG and also when I fired the G3 for a year.  Now that's a decent firearm!

In buildings at close range you don't want to use anything too high powered in case you miss and it ricochets.  An air rifle is perfick :y
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: mantahatch on 24 October 2011, 07:45:16
Out the back of where I work is few trees and allotments. There is also one apple tree, which if I go round during the day you can often see up to 4 rats running all over the branches. I assume they are after the apples.

Brave little beggars in broad daylight.
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Tony H on 24 October 2011, 18:37:41
Where did the poison come from? I'd suggest a trip to a local Farm/Equestrian Store and have a chat... See if you can get something a bit stronger and non-commercial as they may take that ;)

Or, and probably cheaper than the builder, just get a pest control expert in

Answer to first highlight....Someone i spoke to about the problem.....had a similar problem and was buying rat poison that farmers use,,,,ie blocks of poison bought from Countrywide.....it turned out his rat was just moving the blocks of poison and not eating them.....his rat got killed when it chewed thro a live mains cable!

2nd highlight......they will possibly want to fumigate.....and i would need to move out while they did this.....this happened with a house across the road from me.....council will send out 'rat catchers' at £50 a pop, but they only put down poison.....possibly stronger than i have.....but no good if the rat wont eat it......

Makes sense to me.....builder blocking all the holes......eventually either the rat/s carnt get in/out....end of problem...hopefully  :y

If you take into consideration the fact that a rat can squeeze through a hole smaller than the diameter of a penny due to its flexible skeleton your builder will have to be very thorough. I also second Ritches post recarding crushed glass mixed in with the cement I have heard of that being used at several sites
Title: Re: Rats
Post by: Webby the Bear on 24 October 2011, 20:13:08
When I had a problem where a rat, a few years a go, had got into my utility room. I moved the freezer so it was in the open and my Yorkshire terrier did the rest, with the rat dispatched in seconds.  :y

same thing aint they???  ;D ;D ;D