Wildlife UK Forum - Discuss the UK countryside and wildlife

I've been faithfully putting food out for the birds the last month or so, and to my horror when I looked out the window earlier today I saw a large rat scuttling into the undergrowth! I'm guessing he is stealing the food that has dropped to the floor.

I'm not a rat hater by any means but I would prefer it if they weren't in my garden! I don't really mind one, I'm just worried more will appear. Do you think I should try and catch it and let it go somewhere else? Or maybe I could build some sort of structure that catches any fallen bid seed before it hits the ground.

Yep that's the problem with bird tables. You could try making something to catch the seed, although birds aren't known for being particularly tidy eaters so it would have to be fairly big.

You could try a ultrasonic rat deterrent Bill. The local country park has stopped feeding birds as there was a whole warren of rat tunnels right underneath it & they were even coming out during the day when everyone was there.

Hi Bill

I'm pretty sure it is an offence to release a rat once it has been trapped. Best to have a break from feeding to discourage the rat.

Best wishes

SCR

If you give it a few days break the rat will hopefully move on as SCR says, but there is always the chance it will come back later on. I haven't heard of an ultrasonic rat deterrent, although if they work it could be a good solution.