Rat problem!

[peddy]

Saw a rat at the bottom of the garden last night when the security light came on scurrying away. Had a look today and it's excavated soft soil in the corner of the garden well hidden. I've put some cat food out and going to wait until dark. Problem is I've no night vision. What coloured filter least disturbs rats? Il be shooting 15yards so no problem with range. Any advice?

[boko]

put a bit of food down and let them have it for a couple of nights then ambush em this seems to work for me the rats get confident keep a light on in the house and place the food were you can see it the rats will go in light for a free meal put little bits down so they have to keep coming back have fun

[peddy]

put a bit of food down and let them have it for a couple of nights then ambush em this seems to work for me the rats get confident keep a light on in the house and place the food were you can see it the rats will go in light for a free meal put little bits down so they have to keep coming back have fun

It's very dark at the bottom of the garden which filter colour do you reckon?

[boko]

It's very dark at the bottom of the garden which filter colour do you reckon?

try to put the bait nearer to the house and leave a light on you will find the rats will come the light should give you light to shoot em wait for them and get your eyes used to the dark ei night vision then all you need is a scope on you rifle

[oliver13]

A red filter works best, but it's hard to get a strong red light using filters, you need a torch with red LED really.

I've had a lot of success around chicken feeders using those solar powered garden lights, I clustered 6 around it, the rats got used to it & just trundled on up without any problems, it meant I was able to pick them off using a scope set to 3x without any additional light.

If you use good white light, like a Cree XML T6, you still stand a chance, it sort of freezes them in p;lace for at least 2 or 3 seconds before they decide it's not good news & vamoose, if you're well set up you can usually get an aimed shot in.

[frogboy]

I bought a green laser designator as i was informed that they can't see that frequency.

http://www.lasergenetics.com/nd3x40-...r_hunting.aspx

this worked for a while.

but a few seemed to realise trouble was coming once this switched on.

having tried to shoot one 3 times with the laser, seeing it from the house and then sneaking down the side of the house raising the gun and switching the laser on to find it was gone within fractions of second each time the light came on.

i reverted to using a torch that the batteries have seen better days, this i illuminated the rat with he ran off to some bushes, i couldn't see him, was about to give in and looked up to find he'd come back out and was sat on lawn about 10ft away at the base of the bird feeder.

[DavyG]

I use a 12g filter.....can't miss!

[peddy]

Thanks for advice, got all set up in back bedroom, there was just enough light to view bait, but no sign of the little critter, bet the food gone in morning. Will bait again tomorrow as adviced.

[boko]

take your time get comfy and stay still and make no noise don't forget they see better than you at night their will be a few

[peddy]

take your time get comfy and stay still and make no noise don't forget they see better than you at night their will be a few

Bait gone as expected ,going to re bait tonight a bit nearer house, where street lamp gives a bit of light. There's been more digging!!!

[boko]

Bait gone as expected ,going to re bait tonight a bit nearer house, where street lamp gives a bit of light. There's been more digging!!!

what rifle you got peddy take a few shots at the bait distance so you know where to aim

[fog horn]

Had the same problem buddy with rat's entering the garden from under next doors fence! Filthy things and knawed some holes in the fence too..

As the other guys have said patience really is key, I was getting up before dawn, setting up before getting ready for work in the mornings and only ever shot two, dog killed one and caught one in a rat trap over a few months!

These orrible things really are cleaver, we have two apple trees in the garden and the fallen apples is what attracts them to our garden! I have blocked every hole I could find and pick the apple's up daily but not convinced the have completely gone..

Last month I finished off my DIY build night vision which works great but have not seen any signs of them since I finished the build typical

I would say build your own night vision mate, its cheaper than buying one if your intrested let me know and I will list parts you would need to build one..

All the best foggy..

[MRGbb]

Cant stand the suspense have your nailed it yet? Will find out sat if I get to club

[peddy]

what rifle you got peddy take a few shots at the bait distance so you know where to aim

For this job I'm using a bsa ultra multi .22 and decent AO hawke scope. The range is 12yards, my first point of zero so aiming smack on. Bagged a full size one tonight quickly after baiting with cheap cat food. Going to see if all of it has gone in the morning.

[peddy]

Had the same problem buddy with rat's entering the garden from under next doors fence! Filthy things and knawed some holes in the fence too..

As the other guys have said patience really is key, I was getting up before dawn, setting up before getting ready for work in the mornings and only ever shot two, dog killed one and caught one in a rat trap over a few months!

These orrible things really are cleaver, we have two apple trees in the garden and the fallen apples is what attracts them to our garden! I have blocked every hole I could find and pick the apple's up daily but not convinced the have completely gone..

Last month I finished off my DIY build night vision which works great but have not seen any signs of them since I finished the build typical

I would say build your own night vision mate, its cheaper than buying one if your intrested let me know and I will list parts you would need to build one..

All the best foggy..

Thanks foggy how much did it all cost?