Rats in our housing grounds.
 

Hi all,

My problem is Rats!

I live in a sheltered housing complex ran by a Housing Association.

We are not far from a river, and I can see some of the rat holes in the
banks.

I live in a very nice ground floor flat, that had new plastic double glazed
windows fitted around a year ago, what concerns me is that they pivot from
the top and swing outwards at the bottom, and there are shrubs in borders
that are at window cill height below every window.

I and other residents are worried that hungry rats could come indoors via
the open windows; I have known them do this at a nearby kitchen not in our
complex.



If the windows were the type that tilted so they could be opened at the top
instead of the bottom we would feel safer, but they do not so is there a
guard that could be used at the openings or would it be reasonable to ask
them to reduce the height of the shrubs?



I realise rats are a big problem; they are often by the doors if I go out at
and seem braver in that they do not scatter when I appear.



Can anyone give any advice please?

Mick.

Rats in our housing grounds.
 

Mick Cant wrote:
Hi all,

My problem is Rats!

I live in a sheltered housing complex ran by a Housing Association.

We are not far from a river, and I can see some of the rat holes in the
banks.


Most likely water voles actually. Nice little things.

Rats tend to hang around humans, where free meals abound.

I live in a very nice ground floor flat, that had new plastic double glazed
windows fitted around a year ago, what concerns me is that they pivot from
the top and swing outwards at the bottom, and there are shrubs in borders
that are at window cill height below every window.

I and other residents are worried that hungry rats could come indoors via
the open windows; I have known them do this at a nearby kitchen not in our
complex.



If the windows were the type that tilted so they could be opened at the top
instead of the bottom we would feel safer, but they do not so is there a
guard that could be used at the openings or would it be reasonable to ask
them to reduce the height of the shrubs?



I realise rats are a big problem; they are often by the doors if I go out at
and seem braver in that they do not scatter when I appear.


If they really are rats, call rodent control.

A few pipes full of warfarin or equivalent laden food will see em vanish.



Can anyone give any advice please?

Mick.

Rats in our housing grounds.
 

Hi thanks for repling, thease are Rats they are large!
As this is a big housing complex, would I be liable to pay for all the cost
if I call rodent control.?
Mick.


"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
Mick Cant wrote:
Hi all,

My problem is Rats!

I live in a sheltered housing complex ran by a Housing Association.

We are not far from a river, and I can see some of the rat holes in the
banks.


Most likely water voles actually. Nice little things.

Rats tend to hang around humans, where free meals abound.

I live in a very nice ground floor flat, that had new plastic double
glazed windows fitted around a year ago, what concerns me is that they
pivot from the top and swing outwards at the bottom, and there are shrubs
in borders that are at window cill height below every window.

I and other residents are worried that hungry rats could come indoors via
the open windows; I have known them do this at a nearby kitchen not in
our complex.



If the windows were the type that tilted so they could be opened at the
top instead of the bottom we would feel safer, but they do not so is
there a guard that could be used at the openings or would it be
reasonable to ask them to reduce the height of the shrubs?



I realise rats are a big problem; they are often by the doors if I go out
at and seem braver in that they do not scatter when I appear.


If they really are rats, call rodent control.

A few pipes full of warfarin or equivalent laden food will see em vanish.



Can anyone give any advice please?

Mick.

Rats in our housing grounds.
 

Mick Cant wrote:
Hi thanks for repling, thease are Rats they are large!
As this is a big housing complex, would I be liable to pay for all
the cost if I call rodent control.?
Mick.


"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
Mick Cant wrote:
Hi all,

My problem is Rats!

I live in a sheltered housing complex ran by a Housing Association.

We are not far from a river, and I can see some of the rat holes in
the banks.


Most likely water voles actually. Nice little things.

Rats tend to hang around humans, where free meals abound.

I live in a very nice ground floor flat, that had new plastic double
glazed windows fitted around a year ago, what concerns me is that
they pivot from the top and swing outwards at the bottom, and there
are shrubs in borders that are at window cill height below every
window. I and other residents are worried that hungry rats could come
indoors via the open windows; I have known them do this at a nearby
kitchen not in our complex.



If the windows were the type that tilted so they could be opened at
the top instead of the bottom we would feel safer, but they do not
so is there a guard that could be used at the openings or would it
be reasonable to ask them to reduce the height of the shrubs?



I realise rats are a big problem; they are often by the doors if I
go out at and seem braver in that they do not scatter when I appear.


If they really are rats, call rodent control.

A few pipes full of warfarin or equivalent laden food will see em
vanish.


Can anyone give any advice please?
Very much doubt it. Ring up and enquire.

Rats in our housing grounds.
 

"Mick Cant" wrote in message
om...
Hi all,

My problem is Rats!

I live in a sheltered housing complex ran by a Housing Association.

We are not far from a river, and I can see some of the rat holes in the
banks.

I live in a very nice ground floor flat, that had new plastic double
glazed windows fitted around a year ago, what concerns me is that they
pivot from the top and swing outwards at the bottom, and there are shrubs
in borders that are at window cill height below every window.

I and other residents are worried that hungry rats could come indoors via
the open windows; I have known them do this at a nearby kitchen not in our
complex.



If the windows were the type that tilted so they could be opened at the
top instead of the bottom we would feel safer, but they do not so is there
a guard that could be used at the openings or would it be reasonable to
ask them to reduce the height of the shrubs?



I realise rats are a big problem; they are often by the doors if I go out
at and seem braver in that they do not scatter when I appear.



Can anyone give any advice please?


The Environmental Health department of your local council should be your
first call. Many Local councils will deal with them free of charge.

Peter Crosland

Rats in our housing grounds.
 

"Mick Cant" wrote in message
om...
Hi all,
I was hoping for advice on anything that could be used at the bottoms
of the top opening windows
so the windows could be open and know nothing could enter there?

Mick.

Rats in our housing grounds.
 

Mick Cant wrote:
"Mick Cant" wrote in message
om...
Hi all,
I was hoping for advice on anything that could be used at the bottoms
of the top opening windows
so the windows could be open and know nothing could enter there?

Mick.


Mesh screen.

Rats in our housing grounds.
 

Mick Cant wrote:
Hi thanks for repling, thease are Rats they are large!
As this is a big housing complex, would I be liable to pay for all the cost
if I call rodent control.?
Mick.



Shape of face and length of tail.

Water vole round face; rat pointed.

Water vole has shorter tail. Sizes overlap.

Here's a good guide (with more p[points than I knew!)

http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/index....r:knowyourvole

AKA

http://tinyurl.com/lupjbj

Andy