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Looking for a ratting service in the Cork/Kerry area

Hi, I put on a compost heap too late in the year and its full of rats now. Looking for someone in the Cork/Kerry area with ratting dogs to kill them.
Any leads PM me please.
Thank you

Paul Lynch
Wednesday, December 21st, 2022

Dalm, way too far for me, but I'm sure you'll get some takers

nedzer
Tuesday, December 27th, 2022

Thanks Nedzer, yes hopefully find someone close enough. Is it a better thing to do in cold weather for some reason? Saw it mentioned in another post.
Best,
Paul

Paul Lynch
Tuesday, December 27th, 2022

Its easier this time of year because the nettles are dead and less cover on ditched and you will find the rats in dry banks up out of the water table and its at this time of year rats seek food and shelter and start pushing in from tne fields.

paddycrawford
Tuesday, December 27th, 2022

Spot on Paddy. Also easier on the dogs, with the cooler weather. Can easily get over heated in warm weather.

nedzer
Tuesday, December 27th, 2022

Great, thanks for that info. The heap I have is in a clearance, and I can make that clearance even wider. If I don't find someone soon I'm thinking of turning the heap anyway. I expect that they'll scatter, but my reasoning is to destroy a breeding habitat. Does that make sense to ye? Thanks again for the advice.

Paul Lynch
Wednesday, December 28th, 2022

They will just move into somewhere else,you could smoke them out with a petrol engine just put oil in the petrol and a rubber hose to the rat hole,get a small piece of pvc piping or bean tin with both ends open,use womens tights as a net use the piping to keep them open and firmly in place at the mouth of the rat hole the rats will bolt into them,you will catch a fair amount using this metdod.

paddycrawford
Wednesday, December 28th, 2022

It's the food source that attracts rats not the "housing" so even if you turn the heap they'll move somewhere else that allows access to the food. So probably best to leave em in the heap and if you can't get a terrier team to kill em then trap em. Personally I'd never encourage use of poison, especially if it's possible that poisoned rats could end up in the wild food chain.

Rattingman
Wednesday, December 28th, 2022

Someone with an air rifle might be an option too.

Rattingman
Wednesday, December 28th, 2022

Thanks Paddy. So they end up caught in the tights? Then club them?
Thanks Rattingman. Will look a bit more for a terrier team.

Paul Lynch
Wednesday, December 28th, 2022

Unfortunately I'm Dublin just bit too far.

Rattingman
Wednesday, December 28th, 2022

Yes it works give it a go.

paddycrawford
Wednesday, December 28th, 2022

Any gun club in the area? I would try there for help. You'll surely find a decent man with traps, air rifle, or terriers there.

nedzer
Thursday, December 29th, 2022


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