How to deal with two types of rats
A COUPLE of rat enquiries this week, one about the unpleasant brown rat which seems to search out a few home comforts at this time of year in our sheds, houses and gardens, and another concerning a ‘rat’ of a different hue, in fact, entirely human.
The latter, is a man, and one of our readers has tried to catch him in the act of shooting birds of prey, and although she is fairly sure that he is carrying out this illegal activity, she has been advised by both the Police and the RSPB that, she needs photographic evidence, other witnesses and all manner of corroboration. This is good advice, and it is certainly ill-advised to approach anyone with a gun.
Here’s the law with regard to shooting birds of any species:
It is illegal to shoot the majority of wild birds. Exceptions to this are:
Birds listed on Schedule 2 Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. These species, which include various ducks and geese, coot, moorhen, golden plover, snipe and woodcock, can be killed or taken outside the closed season (usually February 1 to August 31), but are protected during the closed season.
General Licences allow the control of certain species (eg certain gull species, pigeon species and crow species) under certain conditions, for instance to preserve public health, for the purposes of public and air safety, preventing the spread of disease, or preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber or fisheries.
Game birds (eg. pheasants, partridges and grouse) are not wild birds as defined by the Wildlife and Countryside Act. They are covered by the Game Act and have their own open season.
Now for the other infamous rat. As the ground starts to harden and natural food sources become tougher to come by, putting out food for birds is very important. But it’s not just birds that favour a free meal; unwanted guests like rats are partial to a helping of seed, a peanut or three, and whatever kitchen scraps they can get their claws on.
Tom Waters, one of the RSPB’s wildlife advisors, said: “We have lots of calls from people who’ve spotted rats in their garden and are worried they will have to stop feeding their garden birds.
But as long as long as a little common sense is exercised, you can keep the birds in your garden happy and well-fed without ever having to see another rat again. Six golden ‘brown-rat’ rules Don’t put out too much food There’s only so much your garden birds can eat in a day, so it’s better to feed them little and often and if food hasn’t been eaten then simply don’t top it up.
Putting out excessive amounts mean the intended recipients won’t be the ones who finish it off.
Keep it moving Try to avoid putting food in the same place each day. Moving it around will confuse rats, but your garden birds won’t be outwitted.
The only way is up IF possible, place food off the ground.
Hanging from a tree in a feeder or on a bird table are simple ways to keep food out of the reach of rats, although some of the pesky blighters have been seen helping themselves to peanuts. Attaching bird seed trays under feeders can also help to stop food going on the floor.
Keep it clean Rats aren’t afraid of tucking into mouldy leftovers so regularly clean your bird table or any space where you leave out provisions, and never allow old food to accumulate.
Special feeders Anti-squirrel bird feeders are also great for preventing access to rats.
Some feeders are surrounded by ‘guardians’ that thwart larger animals’ attempts at getting at the food, while others are weight-activated and stop food being dispensed when a heavier than usual visitor arrives.
No overnighters Making sure no food is left out overnight can be one of the simplest ways of avoiding rats.
Rodents tend to go on the prowl for food at night, whereas birds won’t eat after the hours of darkness, so if you leave scraps out after that it’s likely there’ll be some very happy rodents feasting in your garden while you’re all tucked up in bed.