Last winter, we heard some noises in the loft and called in a pest controller. He told us we must have a massive infestation as all the boat was being taken.
Eventually, the noises stopped so we thought it was problem solved although we did get one or two noises this year. I'm guessing it's more of a seasonal thing then rather that it bring cured. We have a small patch of woodland to that side of the house, then arable farm land. While the woods and fields will be great for critters, I can see the appeal of a warm soft watertight loft in winter.
Anyway, I'm in the loft today moving some insulation around and I've found over 10 of these square red blocks with while through the middle all in a clump, some distance from when they were originally placed. Some have been nibbled, but mostly not.
My questions are:-
1. Now the blocks have been disturbed, have I released a scent that will attract them back in?
2. Sound I remove them?
3. Of so, how do I safely dispose of them?
4. Does their location and arrangement tell me anything useful about what critter it might have been and where they were getting it?
Definitely remove them. I'm surprised they are still allowed TBH.
If you have to kill rodents use a trap, poisons just make their way up the food chain and cause all kinds of harm to other creatures. Absolutely get rid.
I'm in total agreement about not wanting it in the food chain, but as it's poison, how do I safely dispose of it?
I'd ring the pest controller and ask. But IME if you're not sure you've blocked up all the access holes I'd leave them there for next winter!
The Code of best practice from the BPCA is a good place to start to work out what can be done. At least if you call the pest controller back, you'd expect them to be following this and let you know what their plan was and why.
Found some more close by. Lord knows how much the fella put up there. Also found some small feathers in the same spot.
The rats or whatever is up there may have moved the blocks, it's not instant kill, the toxicity builds up, lots of dead rats around bait puts off other rats so you don't want them to die at the bait site although it easier to clear up the carcasses.
Personally I'd redistribute them and leave them in the loft. As for the food chain comment, not particularly relevant in a loft situation, maybe more so if the bait was outside. However outside bait stations is common practice in commercial settings.
Sounds like your pest controller did exactly what you asked them to, sort out the vermin problem. |It wouldn't be normal to expect them to come back and remove unused bait and dispose of it unless you're prepared to pay.
If your not going to bother to ensure all the holes are sealed.
Are you going to bother to check traps regularly.
That's probably the pest controls man's logic.
I doubt you'll pay him to come back daily check remove and rebait.....which is how you deal with traps in an infestation.
Some wonderful idealistic view points.
Who can ever know if "all" the holes have been filled?
Unless you live in a mcmansion it shouldn't be that hard to look around your house. There are common areas ....around drains /eaves to check, roof flashings and any damaged brick work.
We had a few more than usual this year due to building works leaving some gaps - trapped/killed 15 or so over a 2 week period. -after id blocked up the surveyed holes after an inspection. I did the same when we moved in 10 years ago and we were mice free for 10 years...
Maybe if you don't want the poison in your roof year round.....seal it up store it safe and then redeploy.next year when they come back....... Or be happy you sealed all the holes if they don't.
Can anyone recommend any rat traps? Got some in the roof and would like to get rid of them.. Amazon reviews seem to be mixed, half the reviews for many of the top rated ones are for unrelated products?
Victor capacitor traps are good. Expensive, but good.
OP if you live in the countryside they're just a fact of life. Get some the above traps and disperse on the loft, check every week then everyday once you start getting them in again. Poison is the absolute last ditch solution. Not least cos you don't want the buggers dying where you can't get to them as well as the by-kill from not collecting all the dead ones.
