Is that photo gory enough that I need to hide it ?
I think they look like alien spacecraft lined up like that.
I think they look like alien spacecraft lined up like that.
RATS!
- Thread starter Woody girl
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One of the three surviving DEATHS on the Disc World was The Death of Rats. Clearly, he’s sleeping in the job!
Interesting article on the Beeb today about Ratmageddon:
www.bbc.co.uk
Ratmageddon: Why rats are overrunning our cities
Rats are multiplying at speed in urban areas. So, what's really behind the boom - and is it now unstoppable?
www.bbc.co.uk
In the early 1950's the UK and Ireland deliberately introduced Myxomatosis. It was brutally effective, and it lasted for years. Horrendous to see infected 'bunnies' as a child. I mind my Dad quieting wringing necks and then using dettol on his hands. He burnt the corpses. Not sure if they could carry the disease if dug up and eaten by foxes or the like.
I'd hate to see a solution like that again, but surely there must be something that could be done. We manage to send out sterile mosquitos, but how do you target just the rat, not the watervole, the wee shrews, harvest and dormice ?
I don't know the answer, I do think we need to be a lot more reactive and hygienic about the issue though, and that's not blaming folks who've got an infestation, because they didn't cause that, it's a whole area, society problem.
I'd hate to see a solution like that again, but surely there must be something that could be done. We manage to send out sterile mosquitos, but how do you target just the rat, not the watervole, the wee shrews, harvest and dormice ?
I don't know the answer, I do think we need to be a lot more reactive and hygienic about the issue though, and that's not blaming folks who've got an infestation, because they didn't cause that, it's a whole area, society problem.
I can't help but feel the pendulum will swing back with regards to people understanding and accepting the realities of pest control.
The "Oh no, we can't harm the small animal!" sentiment is pretty high at the moment from people on social media who've not yet had to face the realities of outdoor life or dealing with things like sanitation directly. I think this probably comes from a place of kindness towards animals, but unfortunately the rats don't care much whether they cause damage or spread diseases which harm humans. If everyone had an air rifle and was willing to shoot rats when they turn up, it might be quite an easy problem to resolve.
I guess a 22 air rifle with NV and/or thermal scope would be a fair set but it would not be cheap.
Cheaper and healthier than rats in the long run though.
Unfortunately the behaviour of a few totally spoiled the ease of airgun ownership for everyone else.
One numpty killed a toddler....being carried by an adult watching a fire engine and it's crew work. The numpty's excuse ? he was aiming for the fire engine ....you couldn't make it up, just how utterly glaikitly cruel some can be.
Unfortunately the behaviour of a few totally spoiled the ease of airgun ownership for everyone else.
One numpty killed a toddler....being carried by an adult watching a fire engine and it's crew work. The numpty's excuse ? he was aiming for the fire engine ....you couldn't make it up, just how utterly glaikitly cruel some can be.
They say it's more about preventing the rats being born in the first place by reducing the 'carryiing capacity of a given area. This would imply the council needs to have a plan for this a public health issue (and have the staff to carry it out and enforce it). Below is what I quickly googled...
The carrying capacity for a rat population refers to the maximum number of rats an environment can sustain, determined by factors like the availability of food, shelter, and water, as well as the presence of predators, parasites, and the limitations imposed by social behavior. A carrying capacity is not a fixed number but a dynamic level that shifts with changes in the environment, such as the modification of habitat or food availability.
Factors influencing rat carrying capacity
- Food and water:A consistent and reliable source of food and water is a primary determinant of how many rats an area can support.
- Shelter and cover:Rats need secure places to nest and shelter from predators and the elements. Hedgerows, under foundations, and near dumpsters provide suitable cover.
- Predators and parasites:The presence of natural predators and parasites can limit population growth by reducing survival rates.
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I don't think you need NV, I had good success in baiting an area for a few days and then shooting them as they emerged in the evening. A simple £100 scope performed well. It also means you can bait up in front of a solid backstop / pellet/ bullet catcher.
Not surprising really, The BBC article also mentioned the amount of takeaway residue in the bin bags, which I suspect is the real driver.
Can't blame the rats. When humans chuck out a bunch of tasty food in thin bags and leave it there for ages, of course the rats will thrive. As will the urban foxes- which will no doubt eat takeaway left-overs in preference ot hunting a rat which it may well bite it and/or and run away.
It's a human lifestyle issue, not a rat issue. It's folks who order in takeway food, don't eat all of it and put the left-over food and contaminated wrappers in the black bin bag, along with their uneaten food. The disposable lifestyle.
In Wales, we have waste food collection, and the wast efood bins that go out for collection are sturdy and have locking lids- seem to be rat proof and fox proof. It works so long as you only put food in that bin. It's not a huge bin, but more than big enough for a family living in town (no compost heap) who don't waste too much food. And the council will provide more than one bin for large families. They are collected weekly- it's the bin that gets collected as a priority.
In the "old days," food was more costly so wasn't wasted and there was no takeaway beyond fish and chips... and the fish and chips would all be comsumed and then the newspaper wrapping would be burnt on the ubiquitous coal fire. So not much about to attract rats. Also, outside furniture wasn't a thing (fewer hiding places) and where people had sheds and grew veg, they were more aware of rats- and likely to poison/shoot them, or have "ratting" dogs.
So many people have being urbanised to the point where they don't understand the consequences of their actions on populations of other creatures (birds, rats, mice, foxes, insects) and only care when they get rats. Even worse, they don't want to change their lifestyle- and they feel entitles to have "someone else" take their mess away and make it disappear.
And of course, those who do care and do understand also suffer- I bet @Woody girl 's neighbour is putting stuff in their bin bags which attracts rats and has areas where they can be cosy.
GC
Can't blame the rats. When humans chuck out a bunch of tasty food in thin bags and leave it there for ages, of course the rats will thrive. As will the urban foxes- which will no doubt eat takeaway left-overs in preference ot hunting a rat which it may well bite it and/or and run away.
It's a human lifestyle issue, not a rat issue. It's folks who order in takeway food, don't eat all of it and put the left-over food and contaminated wrappers in the black bin bag, along with their uneaten food. The disposable lifestyle.
In Wales, we have waste food collection, and the wast efood bins that go out for collection are sturdy and have locking lids- seem to be rat proof and fox proof. It works so long as you only put food in that bin. It's not a huge bin, but more than big enough for a family living in town (no compost heap) who don't waste too much food. And the council will provide more than one bin for large families. They are collected weekly- it's the bin that gets collected as a priority.
In the "old days," food was more costly so wasn't wasted and there was no takeaway beyond fish and chips... and the fish and chips would all be comsumed and then the newspaper wrapping would be burnt on the ubiquitous coal fire. So not much about to attract rats. Also, outside furniture wasn't a thing (fewer hiding places) and where people had sheds and grew veg, they were more aware of rats- and likely to poison/shoot them, or have "ratting" dogs.
So many people have being urbanised to the point where they don't understand the consequences of their actions on populations of other creatures (birds, rats, mice, foxes, insects) and only care when they get rats. Even worse, they don't want to change their lifestyle- and they feel entitles to have "someone else" take their mess away and make it disappear.
And of course, those who do care and do understand also suffer- I bet @Woody girl 's neighbour is putting stuff in their bin bags which attracts rats and has areas where they can be cosy.
GC
You are right about that last bit! Also too lazy to deal with things.
I do need to get some of that racan sealant to stop them getting into the loft. I'm gonna chat to the rat man and see how much he will charge to do it as I can't get up into the loft myself nowadays.
Animal welfare act 2006, it also protects grey squirrels from the same watery end. The recommended way to clear a live capture trap is to use a trap comb to confine the trapped animal up against the bars of the cage and then shoot it in the head with a Prometheus pellet from an air pistol that is running at more than 3.5 f/Lbs muzzle energy.
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This takes me back to a simpler age when a twelve year old lad could sit by the canal plinking rats without anyone making any comment beyond complimenting a particularly good shot, certainly no complaints to plod. These days you could expect an armed response unit turning up along with a large group of rainbow clad animal rights protesters. There are still plenty of old men out there with air guns who will plink rats for the fun of it and the promise of the occasional cup of tea…it’s just a case of finding them.
