Disposal Of Rats

[**KAZ** 0]

We have had on ongoing issue with rats in our yard ever since we removed and moved a shed and dug up their nesting spot under the shed. Our dogs source and kill and eat any rat they find, so we have not liked to use poison in any way. I have at last found ( through the dogs help ) the breeding ground and nests of the rats. They have been living and breeding in the crawlspace above the ceiling and between the roof of my leadlight workshop. Still not wanting to throw poison in there in case the dogs get secondary poisoning from catching and eating a groggy rat that emerges, I have thought of an idea.

I am going to block off all exit points and block all sources of air to that section. Run a pipe from the car exhaust into the crawlspace and gas the rats with the carbon monoxide.

I do have some concerns over whether it can be contained and not drift over to the birds aviary, so I am paranoid about blocking off all air escapes....like along the guttering etc.

I also do not know how long I would have to run the car exhaust to fill the air space and kill the rats, and if it actually will kill the rats and rat babies. Then there is the issue of removing the roof tiles after and removing any dead rats.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions ??

[melbournebudgies 0]

If you are going to go to the trouble of blocking it off so carefully why not just use poison and wait about three or four days and then collect the bodies then check again after another few days, it's best to time it so that bodies will need to be chucked the day or two before rubbish day and rap them in newspaper and then in a plastic bag in the bin,

 

Or the dogs could just have fun in the crawlspace, they're little dogs aren't they

Edited November 29, 2008 by Neat
changed placky to plastic

[**Liv** 0]

Sounds like a great idea.... i have pm'd you some info

Edited November 29, 2008 by **Liv**

[**KAZ** 0]

If you are going to go to the trouble of blocking it off so carefully why not just use poison and wait about three or four days and then collect the bodies then check again after another few days, it's best to time it so that bodies will need to be chucked the day or two before rubbish day and rap them in newspaper and then in a placky bag in the bin,

 

Or the dogs could just have fun in the crawlspace, they're little dogs aren't they

 

You are right of course....and this has been my main argument with my husband that I would like to use the baits first as you have suggested. Liv has sent me some very eye opening info that make me baulk at using the car exhaust.

I will go get the poisons and block off all exit holes when it cools later today.

Thanks

[JimmyBanks 0]

good luck with it kaz. I would be doing it MB's way as well.. The whole car exaust thing just seems a little to risky...

[**KAZ** 0]

good luck with it kaz. I would be doing it MB's way as well.. The whole car exaust thing just seems a little to risky...

Thats what I think too.

[xnannax 0]

We have had on ongoing issue with rats in our yard ever since we removed and moved a shed and dug up their nesting spot under the shed. Our dogs source and kill and eat any rat they find, so we have not liked to use poison in any way. I have at last found ( through the dogs help ) the breeding ground and nests of the rats. They have been living and breeding in the crawlspace above the ceiling and between the roof of my leadlight workshop. Still not wanting to throw poison in there in case the dogs get secondary poisoning from catching and eating a groggy rat that emerges, I have thought of an idea.

I am going to block off all exit points and block all sources of air to that section. Run a pipe from the car exhaust into the crawlspace and gas the rats with the carbon monoxide.

I do have some concerns over whether it can be contained and not drift over to the birds aviary, so I am paranoid about blocking off all air escapes....like along the guttering etc.

I also do not know how long I would have to run the car exhaust to fill the air space and kill the rats, and if it actually will kill the rats and rat babies. Then there is the issue of removing the roof tiles after and removing any dead rats.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions ??

 

Kaz I woner if rats are like mice. You think you have blocked all exits, but they still find away. With mice I know they wont go through steel wool, but that is mainly in the home, daren't think of what you could be up for doing a roof line. I am sure if we researched we could find a friendly enviro method. Some bright spark is sure to have an answer. On the whole though, the baits do seem like a good idea. One of my designer dogs has eaten mice before I could stop him, he suffered no ill affects. Good luck

[Sailorwolf 0]

With the car exhaust, I wouldn't want to be the one opening up the crawl space after you have pumped it full of exhaust, to remove the bodies, as you might find yourself to be a victim as well :rofl:

Put the cat up there instead! (without the exhaust lol)

Maybe call an exterminator?

 

Smoke them out! lol

Edited November 29, 2008 by Sailorwolf

[**KAZ** 0]

The crawlspace is room for rats but not room for cats or dogs :rofl:

[renee 0]

Good luck eliminating those horrible rats Kaz! :rofl:

[Neat 0]

Could chuck a snake up there LOL ... But then that is another problem ...

 

Hope you get them all sorted out mate

[**KAZ** 0]

What I need is The Pie's ferrets :rofl:

[melbournebudgies 0]

You could go the old cement and icing sugar mixture, that way if one does get out it won't hurt the dogs.

[Neat 0]

isn't there something when you feed bar cob soda and they drink they explode or is that with pigeons

[melbournebudgies 0]

One of those made up things like seagulls exploding on panadol

[JimmyBanks 0]

Thats panadol and seagulls...

[**Liv** 0]

Bicarb and vinigar can be mixed to create CO2 which will knock them out - but also make a huge mess

 

What about getting a Canister of CO2 and attaching a hose and pumping it into the space???

[JimmyBanks 0]

"CO2 canister" sounds like it should be illegal... lol.

[**Liv** 0]

haha its what they use to kill rats when feeding snakes

[JimmyBanks 0]

I've just got this whole image of Kaz and Ken dressed up in SWAT gear and throwing the CO2 Canisters into the roof with gas masks on and then after the smoke starts firing automatic rifles for 10 minutes all over the roof...

 

Good luck with that KAZ!

[**KAZ** 0]

The CO2 gas kills rats for snakes but in a controlled environment where the gas cannot escape. Cannot guarantee that in this case.

[christine 0]

Kaz,

 

You are right to be concerned about secondary poisoning from rat poisoning. I did a quick search and there appears to be evidence of residual toxins in organs for up to six months (obviously in a surviving animal!!). So you would imagine that in a corpse the anti-coagulant would be present. That means that if you use poisoning, you'll need to dispose of the corpses securely.

 

Chris

[**KAZ** 0]

Thankyou Chrisg. I am still contemplating the solution, having been at a budgie auction / christmas windup all day.

[JimmyBanks 0]

and did you come home with any christmas budgies??

[**KAZ** 0]

and did you come home with any christmas budgies??

YES I did I came home with 9 new budgies ..........5 greywings, amongst others