Rodents what 2 do?

[benji1989]

Over the last couple of weeks I've noticed a few rats in the garden around our chickens/rabbit area, I've put traps down, bait boxes, cages etc and nothing seems 2 be catching them.
One I'm Concerned incase they pass something on 2 our animals.
Two if they would attack our baby chick.
Three our children play out there (which I've now stopped)
And four what if they got into the house
They never seem 2 be out during the day just on a night and seem 2 scatter once out dog is in the garden.

Any ideas on what 2 do 2 get rid of them?

 

[csaylorchickens]

I always take the food and water in at night and try to clean up as much spilled food as I can. I also have two cats that will eat anything like a rat mouse or lizard. That really helps. This is what I have done. I haven't seen rats around...hopefully I never do! Traps are probably the best thing to set up around the coop. Also try herbs like lavender?

 

[taz4470]

Rodents don't like the smell of mint you can plant that around your coop

 

[prostar]

Make sure you have the coop all buttoned up and the run too...keeping the critters out is easier than worrying about how to get them out once they're established.

Manage the food/household garbage etc....make it so there's no reason for the rodents to be there. Putting the food away is one option.

Does the mint thing really work? (Just beware if you do plant mint it spreads like crazy.)

 

[Mini Meat]

Barn cats... Females better than males.

Secure all food sources.

Bar all entry points. I stuff metal mesh pot scrubbers (the flat wire kind not the wooly kind) into cracks and crevasses and the seal with expanding foam. They won't chew through the metal.

I don't like poison unless I am desperate. I worry about secondary poisoning.