Love carp fishing but hate Rats .. does anyone know of a good tip to deter them from around the swim / bivvy as its really spoiling it for me as i am petrified of them
In reply to Post #1
Get yourself a dog, ideally some sort of terrier plus there's the added bonus of night watchmen so no one nicks your gear
If that's not an option then allegedly peppermint oil sprayed around the area helps to deter them
Get yourself a dog, ideally some sort of terrier plus there's the added bonus of night watchmen so no one nicks your gear
If that's not an option then allegedly peppermint oil sprayed around the area helps to deter them
In reply to Post #1
Or the other option is to throw a load of bait into the next door peg so they all go there instead
Or the other option is to throw a load of bait into the next door peg so they all go there instead
In reply to Post #1
Keep things spotless, no loose bait etc, can you put the front of bivy in, I hate rats 2
Keep things spotless, no loose bait etc, can you put the front of bivy in, I hate rats 2
In reply to Post #1
small battery radio on v v v low at night seems to do the trick on some venues
small battery radio on v v v low at night seems to do the trick on some venues
As mentioned some say peppermint oil, black pepper, cayenne pepper, failing that a Barn owl on a tether by the bivvy door.
If you have a letter box type door, just zip it up about a foot. Radio on the floor. Dont leave any bait around the swim. Traps also help, just make sure you wash them off and have some sort of sanitiser handy if you have to touch one.
Get a dog and don't Spod!
A lot depends on the type of venues you fish. I've always found rat problems to be far far worse on dayticket lakes as opposed to clubs and private waters .
In reply to Post #1
Make sure your bivvy is nice and secure so they can't get in. Get one with a velcroed in ground sheet and also as Tim says in Post#4, get one that opens "letterbox" style so you can zip the door up from the bottom. I always sleep with mine 12" zipped shut at the bottom (and usually trip over it when I get a night time take
).
You can also get some peppermint granules off Amazon, though the reviews don't look too good
.
There's also ultrasonic deterrents on ebay, but not sure how good they are - most are solar powered, some are plug in and some are battery powered.
Also make sure all your bait is secured in a bucket overnight to reduce the smell and seal your food as well.
Finally make sure all your landing and unhooking gear is out of reach, I have an elastic loop on my mat and stick it high up in a tree. Landing net usually up against a tree or high up on some rushes. People say that they can climb trees, but I've never had an issue with it.
Some waters are worse than others, I've fished opposite ends of the scale in terms of rat population. So try and avoid the ones with loads of 'em (usually crappy dirty day ticket fisheries) and find ones that are OK.
Enjoy and good luck.
Make sure your bivvy is nice and secure so they can't get in. Get one with a velcroed in ground sheet and also as Tim says in Post#4, get one that opens "letterbox" style so you can zip the door up from the bottom. I always sleep with mine 12" zipped shut at the bottom (and usually trip over it when I get a night time take
). You can also get some peppermint granules off Amazon, though the reviews don't look too good
.There's also ultrasonic deterrents on ebay, but not sure how good they are - most are solar powered, some are plug in and some are battery powered.
Also make sure all your bait is secured in a bucket overnight to reduce the smell and seal your food as well.
Finally make sure all your landing and unhooking gear is out of reach, I have an elastic loop on my mat and stick it high up in a tree. Landing net usually up against a tree or high up on some rushes. People say that they can climb trees, but I've never had an issue with it.
Some waters are worse than others, I've fished opposite ends of the scale in terms of rat population. So try and avoid the ones with loads of 'em (usually crappy dirty day ticket fisheries) and find ones that are OK.
Enjoy and good luck.
In reply to Post #1
I've had 2 visit recently right on dusk at one water I fish and they seemed to be attracted to the spot I used to top up the spod with pellets!
If you are that worried, buy some break neck trap and bait them - if the carp aren't playing ball, you might have more luck with the rats! You'll need a specific rat sized version rather than a smaller mouse trap. Preferably cover them with a bit of drain pipe or similar as you don't to catch birds or step on it whilst hitting a run after dark.
Alternately, contact the water owners and suggest putting poison boxes down.
I've had 2 visit recently right on dusk at one water I fish and they seemed to be attracted to the spot I used to top up the spod with pellets!
If you are that worried, buy some break neck trap and bait them - if the carp aren't playing ball, you might have more luck with the rats! You'll need a specific rat sized version rather than a smaller mouse trap. Preferably cover them with a bit of drain pipe or similar as you don't to catch birds or step on it whilst hitting a run after dark.
Alternately, contact the water owners and suggest putting poison boxes down.
In reply to Post #1
At last someone who feels the same as me I've been carp fishing 40 years and I've not met anyone who hates them as much as me they make me shiver give me the creeps all I have had is people laughing when I tell them as said the best thing is a dog but there are these motion sensor lights on eBay put one in swim it lights it all up when rats trigger it and it will scare them off and will help you if you get a bite
In the 80s me and friends bought a small dome tents then fox bought out the easy dome I bought one for one reason keeping these rats out I could tell some stories but I won't also a good idea get the trakker slx mk3 it's like a dome tent sawn in ground sheet
Once in a swim on a water didn't realise it's where people have bbqs when dark around 50 rats came out been spodding and had some on reel handle a rat stood tall and was licking it off
Great vid to watch on YouTube Martin clunes in the barn shows how good jack Russels are
At last someone who feels the same as me I've been carp fishing 40 years and I've not met anyone who hates them as much as me they make me shiver give me the creeps all I have had is people laughing when I tell them as said the best thing is a dog but there are these motion sensor lights on eBay put one in swim it lights it all up when rats trigger it and it will scare them off and will help you if you get a bite
In the 80s me and friends bought a small dome tents then fox bought out the easy dome I bought one for one reason keeping these rats out I could tell some stories but I won't also a good idea get the trakker slx mk3 it's like a dome tent sawn in ground sheet
Once in a swim on a water didn't realise it's where people have bbqs when dark around 50 rats came out been spodding and had some on reel handle a rat stood tall and was licking it off
Great vid to watch on YouTube Martin clunes in the barn shows how good jack Russels are
A lot of places dont allow dogs, so get a mongoose instead
Just remember that they will chew through stuff easily so a sown in groundsheet and sipping the bivvy door up isn't much use if there's something they want inside.
Keep your rubbish bag away from the swim, tied up in a tree.
I belonged to an open cast mine,a Wheal,anyway its fully fenced ,very good otter fence..(Tornado version)
Person who ran the wheal ,decided to go 'good life' and had free range chickens and a large coop and run ..
Oh,oh I thought ,chickens need feed,...sure enough this lake went from zero ratus, to ratus central..
Holes in luggage ,bivvy etc,etc..
One night ,was mooching about and looked into the owners private swim/shed..put a beam on his gas cooker ,sure enough some beady little eyed buggers ,were all over his cooking pots ,unwashed plates etc,sitting on the water bottles..
I thought ,Weils,and 95k..H/W..glad I'm not a member now ..
Rats n Chicken feed ,and no common sense..!
Person who ran the wheal ,decided to go 'good life' and had free range chickens and a large coop and run ..
Oh,oh I thought ,chickens need feed,...sure enough this lake went from zero ratus, to ratus central..
Holes in luggage ,bivvy etc,etc..
One night ,was mooching about and looked into the owners private swim/shed..put a beam on his gas cooker ,sure enough some beady little eyed buggers ,were all over his cooking pots ,unwashed plates etc,sitting on the water bottles..
I thought ,Weils,and 95k..H/W..glad I'm not a member now ..
Rats n Chicken feed ,and no common sense..!
It has more or less been said before but don't spill anything at all on the floor, however small.
Also if they really bother you that much (I get it!) fish less busy venues
Generally the more anglers (or public) around the more food for them which means more rats
Most of the quiet lakes I fish don't have any at all. It shocks me when you go to a day ticket water how many there are. I hate them too!!
Also if they really bother you that much (I get it!) fish less busy venues
Generally the more anglers (or public) around the more food for them which means more rats
Most of the quiet lakes I fish don't have any at all. It shocks me when you go to a day ticket water how many there are. I hate them too!!
In reply to Post #17
Plaster of paris and Weetabix.
Plaster of paris and Weetabix.
In my 59 years of carp fishing I have fished in some of the worst rat infested places you could ever fish and I have tried everything you can think of to deter them
finally I found the answer I have a small radio 3 band I tune to radio 4 as its mainly TALKING 24 hours put if under my bed on very low so I can just hear it but Rats can hear it very well and wont come in the bivvy
100% I KNOW ITS A FACT ! as I use 2 trail cameras one covering the door way and one the area in front rods etc
and I have reviewed the footage hundreds of times
HOWEVER MICE dont give a toss and will come in
finally I found the answer I have a small radio 3 band I tune to radio 4 as its mainly TALKING 24 hours put if under my bed on very low so I can just hear it but Rats can hear it very well and wont come in the bivvy
100% I KNOW ITS A FACT ! as I use 2 trail cameras one covering the door way and one the area in front rods etc
and I have reviewed the footage hundreds of times
HOWEVER MICE dont give a toss and will come in
In reply to Post #1
I fish a swim on a club water called Roland's. Nothing puts the buggers off. My dog snores like a trooper I put the radio on I have even left the light on. It.. I worry about the carnage if one comes in and the dog tries to catch it. They are out as soon as it gets dark. I try to keep everything tidy and away in plastic then I just put a pile of maize and hemp right on the water line where I spod from and feed them up.
I fish a swim on a club water called Roland's. Nothing puts the buggers off. My dog snores like a trooper I put the radio on I have even left the light on. It.. I worry about the carnage if one comes in and the dog tries to catch it. They are out as soon as it gets dark. I try to keep everything tidy and away in plastic then I just put a pile of maize and hemp right on the water line where I spod from and feed them up.
In reply to Post #20
Don't feed the things
Don't feed the things
In reply to Post #20
They are unaffected by light I tried sensors so when a rat came in the doorway the light would go on my trail camera showed it never bothered them
But a radio on that's mainly talking worked
They are unaffected by light I tried sensors so when a rat came in the doorway the light would go on my trail camera showed it never bothered them
But a radio on that's mainly talking worked
Sky has had a few that come too close to her.
She must be patient, and fast, as she is always on a long lead that rattles when she moves.
Siberian Husky rat catcher!
Our syndicate has had a load of rattus norvegicus, brown rats, this year and we are extremely tidy, no litter, so God knows what attracted them.
On the River where I am now, I could understand it, waste food and rubbish in the bins and undergrowth, and the little boogers are around.
Rats have chewed through bivvies, been inside and grabbed food and bait etc while you are asleep.
I used the radio trick on Taverham a few times, but I found that I couldn't settle and sleep with it on. I don't know if that is down to my being in the Autistic Spectrum as I can hear conversations from the other end of Tower Ramparts shopping centre, its deafening and mind blowing.
Problem with traps is the other creatures, a toad set one off in my mother's garage, that she had put under a shelf unit.
She must be patient, and fast, as she is always on a long lead that rattles when she moves.
Siberian Husky rat catcher!
Our syndicate has had a load of rattus norvegicus, brown rats, this year and we are extremely tidy, no litter, so God knows what attracted them.
On the River where I am now, I could understand it, waste food and rubbish in the bins and undergrowth, and the little boogers are around.
Rats have chewed through bivvies, been inside and grabbed food and bait etc while you are asleep.
I used the radio trick on Taverham a few times, but I found that I couldn't settle and sleep with it on. I don't know if that is down to my being in the Autistic Spectrum as I can hear conversations from the other end of Tower Ramparts shopping centre, its deafening and mind blowing.
Problem with traps is the other creatures, a toad set one off in my mother's garage, that she had put under a shelf unit.
In reply to Post #1
Take a cat and stick it on a 10m lead. I guarantee you won't see many rats.
Take a cat and stick it on a 10m lead. I guarantee you won't see many rats.
In reply to Post #15
I had my bait and rubbish tied up in a tree, next morning bait and rubbish everywhere,
I had my bait and rubbish tied up in a tree, next morning bait and rubbish everywhere,
In reply to Post #1
Avoid cooking inside or even near your bivvy.
Keep your peg as clean as possible.
Dont bivvy up near any trees or bushes.
I remember being on Bluebell once and we could count atleast 8/10 on the bottom of the peg, this peg was surrounded by bushes though, i have fished another peg on the same lake and only saw a few all weekend
Avoid cooking inside or even near your bivvy.
Keep your peg as clean as possible.
Dont bivvy up near any trees or bushes.
I remember being on Bluebell once and we could count atleast 8/10 on the bottom of the peg, this peg was surrounded by bushes though, i have fished another peg on the same lake and only saw a few all weekend
Zipping up letter box style won't make any difference, unless Rats have lost the ability to climb. 
Usually find they start coming out as it gets dusk on my water, have a mooch around but if they can't find any food, and they don't in my swim because I am fastidious about picking every scrap of bait/food up, then they move on.
Usually find they start coming out as it gets dusk on my water, have a mooch around but if they can't find any food, and they don't in my swim because I am fastidious about picking every scrap of bait/food up, then they move on.
In reply to Post #27
You can pick up every scrap of food, you can have a dog, rats will come back.
They have a varied diet, seeds, grass, tree bark, insects.
You can pick up every scrap of food, you can have a dog, rats will come back.
They have a varied diet, seeds, grass, tree bark, insects.
In reply to Post #28
Lots of rats at linear
Lots of rats at linear
I hate rats I've been bitten 4 times by rats in my life. ( mostly my own stupid fault). I've fished swims where there were loads of them running up and down making my bobbins dance all night. I've had them climb bushes to get at my air dry bags. Had them eat bait off rigs waiting to be cast out. I always keep my swim scrupulously clean and waste in bags off the ground. One lake I used to fish we all put rat traps either side of the swim to try to eradicate the buggers. You need a strong trap to kill them. Sometimes I had to drown them to finish them off. Very unpleasant. Not a way any animal should die really. However vermin have to be eradicated.
In reply to Post #29
A bit harsh, they've paid for the ticket.
A bit harsh, they've paid for the ticket.
In reply to Post #1
Buy a ferret and read Fred Taylor's Guide to Ferreting. Sure, they look like rats and smell like polecats, but so do some of your mates probably.
Buy a ferret and read Fred Taylor's Guide to Ferreting. Sure, they look like rats and smell like polecats, but so do some of your mates probably.
In reply to Post #32
I've heard raw onions deter rats only tried it a few times so far so good.
But do enjoy introducing them to a catapult they jump high.
I've heard raw onions deter rats only tried it a few times so far so good.
But do enjoy introducing them to a catapult they jump high.
In reply to Post #33
Thanks I will try onion
Thanks I will try onion
In reply to Post #34
You might wake up to dead rats around you if they eat it
You might wake up to dead rats around you if they eat it
They love anniseed oil so a few drops well away from you will keep em busy.
Or if the person in the next peg is an annoying arse put a few drops round his bivvy and peg.
Or if the person in the next peg is an annoying arse put a few drops round his bivvy and peg.
In reply to Post #35
True , oh sugar
True , oh sugar
P*ss around the outside of you bivvy often works for me or buy yourself some Rat Paste sachets and bait an area safely away from your bivvy so non target species can not eat it!
If your house keeping is good they won't stick around in your peg and if you can avoid bivvying up to the waters edge your not on there patrol route
If your house keeping is good they won't stick around in your peg and if you can avoid bivvying up to the waters edge your not on there patrol route
In reply to Post #38
P*ss around the outside of you bivvy often works for me
I think that maybe coincidence mate Rats love piss ? they swim around in it in every sewer in the country
P*ss around the outside of you bivvy often works for me
I think that maybe coincidence mate Rats love piss ? they swim around in it in every sewer in the country
In reply to Post #38
And it makes the swim stink 4 the next angler
And it makes the swim stink 4 the next angler
In reply to Post #38
You're joking, right?
You're joking, right?
In reply to Post #41
It's not a joke, human urine is actually supposed to repel them, and is something I have tried myself. Sometimes it worked, other times...
This might interest you:
science link carnivore urine repelling rats
And it makes the swim stink 4 the next angler
You can always tip some water over it when you leave
It's not a joke, human urine is actually supposed to repel them, and is something I have tried myself. Sometimes it worked, other times...
This might interest you:
science link carnivore urine repelling rats
And it makes the swim stink 4 the next angler
You can always tip some water over it when you leave
In reply to Post #42
Maybe but explain how/why they frequent sewers full of the stuff?
Also, it's disgusting and makes swims stink. Tipping a bit of water over it won't make a difference.
Maybe but explain how/why they frequent sewers full of the stuff?
Also, it's disgusting and makes swims stink. Tipping a bit of water over it won't make a difference.
In reply to Post #42
Read report, I think I would have to re read to get it to be honest
Enyway I won't be pissing in my swim 😒
Read report, I think I would have to re read to get it to be honest
Enyway I won't be pissing in my swim 😒
Yes it does work and I also work in the Pest Control industry! I don't do it unless it's bad with Rats which isn't very often.
In reply to Post #45
well I've learnt something 2day
well I've learnt something 2day
In reply to Post #45
I also work in the Pest Control industry! really ?
and yet you said or buy yourself some Rat Paste sachets ????? that would be totally pointless !!!
now for years its illegal and impossible ! to buy a rat killer bait that works in under 3 to 6 weeks as a few years ago there was secondary poisoning with animals cats dogs etc eating the dead rats so now the rat poison used when it kills the rat a cat or dog can safely eat the body and no secondary poisoning will occur
I also work in the Pest Control industry! really ?
and yet you said or buy yourself some Rat Paste sachets ????? that would be totally pointless !!!
now for years its illegal and impossible ! to buy a rat killer bait that works in under 3 to 6 weeks as a few years ago there was secondary poisoning with animals cats dogs etc eating the dead rats so now the rat poison used when it kills the rat a cat or dog can safely eat the body and no secondary poisoning will occur
In reply to Post #43
In reply to Post #42
Maybe but explain how/why they frequent sewers full of the stuff?
Also, it's disgusting and makes swims stink. Tipping a bit of water over it won't make a difference.
Every time you flush the toilet you dilute your urine, probably to a ratio of 5-1.
You also wash down the sewer waste cooking oil, bits of food, excrement etc. With the waste washing up water the pheromone is totally diluted to an acceptable level.
Goose or Swan poo makes swims stink of ammonia, same as urine. We have to put up with that.
I'm willing to bet, if you go for a pee, you urinate in the same spot, against the same tree, same bunch of rushes etc. That smells as well, but the chances are your nose has got used to the smell.
A decent rain will wash your urine away.
In reply to Post #42
Maybe but explain how/why they frequent sewers full of the stuff?
Also, it's disgusting and makes swims stink. Tipping a bit of water over it won't make a difference.
Every time you flush the toilet you dilute your urine, probably to a ratio of 5-1.
You also wash down the sewer waste cooking oil, bits of food, excrement etc. With the waste washing up water the pheromone is totally diluted to an acceptable level.
Goose or Swan poo makes swims stink of ammonia, same as urine. We have to put up with that.
I'm willing to bet, if you go for a pee, you urinate in the same spot, against the same tree, same bunch of rushes etc. That smells as well, but the chances are your nose has got used to the smell.
A decent rain will wash your urine away.
In reply to Post #48
I have fished swims over dry periods where the smell of urine has been f in disgusting, so bad the club had to say eny f in idiot pissing in swim will result in a ban,
I have fished swims over dry periods where the smell of urine has been f in disgusting, so bad the club had to say eny f in idiot pissing in swim will result in a ban,
In reply to Post #49
Everyone peeing in the same spot. That is why you throw a bucket of water when you leave
I hope that the club you mention, they provide a toilet close to every swim, or you know anglers will leave their rods cast in while they walk to the toilet 200 yards away. Say the angler urinated 4 or 5 times a day, they are NOT going to reel in while carp fishing.
Everyone peeing in the same spot. That is why you throw a bucket of water when you leave
I hope that the club you mention, they provide a toilet close to every swim, or you know anglers will leave their rods cast in while they walk to the toilet 200 yards away. Say the angler urinated 4 or 5 times a day, they are NOT going to reel in while carp fishing.
In reply to Post #48
Nick pissing all over the swim is disgusting,you'll never convince me otherwise. I'm quite surprised you advocate it as you're usually one of the first people to criticize people for etiquette
Nick pissing all over the swim is disgusting,you'll never convince me otherwise. I'm quite surprised you advocate it as you're usually one of the first people to criticize people for etiquette
In reply to Post #52
If human urine repels rats and an angler decides that urine round his swim is the answer then fine with me. I've seen people turn up with bottles of urine and pour it around their bivvy to keep the rats away.
I get up in the middle of the night for a pee quite frequently, I use the same spot away from the swim usually against a bush or rushes.
I have fished a number of waters, and it is very rare that I have smelt urine around a lake. On the few occasions it is in tree or bush lined swims where there is limited or no airflow.
I'm lucky, Sky is a pretty good deterrent against vermin...
If human urine repels rats and an angler decides that urine round his swim is the answer then fine with me. I've seen people turn up with bottles of urine and pour it around their bivvy to keep the rats away.
I get up in the middle of the night for a pee quite frequently, I use the same spot away from the swim usually against a bush or rushes.
I have fished a number of waters, and it is very rare that I have smelt urine around a lake. On the few occasions it is in tree or bush lined swims where there is limited or no airflow.
I'm lucky, Sky is a pretty good deterrent against vermin...
In reply to Post #53
Well I'm glad I don't fish places like that tbh. I've fished some places with quite a rat problem and always found the simple keep the swim clean and tidy, and rubbish stroked properly is enough to keep them away. I'll certainly never be pissing all over my swim that's for sure
Well I'm glad I don't fish places like that tbh. I've fished some places with quite a rat problem and always found the simple keep the swim clean and tidy, and rubbish stroked properly is enough to keep them away. I'll certainly never be pissing all over my swim that's for sure
In reply to Post #54
Where do you go for a tinkle,do you reel in everything you need one
Where do you go for a tinkle,do you reel in everything you need one
In reply to Post #55
I go 15 ft from swim
I go 15 ft from swim
In reply to Post #55
No but I don't just piss by my rods or bivvy either.step out of the swim and do it on the edge of a pathway, or out of the way. Surely thats what any considerate angler does rather than just piss everywhere?
No but I don't just piss by my rods or bivvy either.step out of the swim and do it on the edge of a pathway, or out of the way. Surely thats what any considerate angler does rather than just piss everywhere?
In reply to Post #56
In reply to Post #58
In reply to Post #57
Can't be more than 12ft away from our rods,club rules
Can't be more than 12ft away from our rods,club rules
In reply to Post #60
That's ok pissing in the swim keeps the top hats away
That's ok pissing in the swim keeps the top hats away
In reply to Post #60
Should be bottling it then imo.
Should be bottling it then imo.
I wee in the lake. Dilution is the solution
In reply to Post #63
Right I can't talk piss enymore
Right I can't talk piss enymore
In reply to Post #64
In reply to Post #65
Something to look forward to
Something to look forward to
In reply to Post #54
Did you read all of the thread?
My syndicate has no litter, we all tidy up our rubbish, we don't get much dropped food on the bank, yet for some reason we get brown rats. Their diet includes duck and other birds eggs, seeds, insects etc. I don't leave dropped food or bait around, my dog clears any crumbs away
It does NOT keep them away.
Did you read all of the thread?
My syndicate has no litter, we all tidy up our rubbish, we don't get much dropped food on the bank, yet for some reason we get brown rats. Their diet includes duck and other birds eggs, seeds, insects etc. I don't leave dropped food or bait around, my dog clears any crumbs away
It does NOT keep them away.
In reply to Post #65
In reply to Post #67
Yes nick I read it all. Well in my experience cleanliness makes a massive difference,and when I say cleanliness I mean your own. Keep your food safe,bait safe, clean up dropped bait etc. And they will not bother you. They may well be around, but as long as they aren't chewing your stuff and coming in your bivvy then that's fine. Rats and water go hand in hand. So YES it does work
Yes nick I read it all. Well in my experience cleanliness makes a massive difference,and when I say cleanliness I mean your own. Keep your food safe,bait safe, clean up dropped bait etc. And they will not bother you. They may well be around, but as long as they aren't chewing your stuff and coming in your bivvy then that's fine. Rats and water go hand in hand. So YES it does work
My club got a new lake a few years ago. When I first fished it there were no rats. Now there are. Human beings attract rats. Same as foxes. In a truly rural area, You hardly ever see a fox. In urban areas they are everywhere. I've seen so many rats in urban areas, because I am around at early times before most people get out and about. They are everywhere. The old adage of never being more than 10ft from a rat is very true.
In reply to Post #70
Not talking about rats or piss 2day
Not talking about rats or piss 2day
In reply to Post #70
They've never bothered me. One swim on my old pond there was a small field mouse and a small roland who never seems to gain weight in the three years I was there. Usually picked up what the Robins didn't.
The sounds that come out of my mouth at night is worse than the 15:35 out of Waterloo East, so never had an issue with them thieving off me. The locals were worse.
They've never bothered me. One swim on my old pond there was a small field mouse and a small roland who never seems to gain weight in the three years I was there. Usually picked up what the Robins didn't.
The sounds that come out of my mouth at night is worse than the 15:35 out of Waterloo East, so never had an issue with them thieving off me. The locals were worse.
In reply to Post #38
Any use of poison would have a massive negative effect on rats and mice hunting birds. Facts are there is zero litter on my sydicate goes days without any1 there. Of course there is rats as its surrounded by wheat fields an all sides and it is the only source of water during hot spells. Come autumn when they are cutting the fields. There wont be enough food left there to support them. That's when they come looking for food. Will anything stop them. Depends how hungry they are. Regarding a deterrent a dog is the best thing. Unless you have a well trained cat or ferret or mink.
Any use of poison would have a massive negative effect on rats and mice hunting birds. Facts are there is zero litter on my sydicate goes days without any1 there. Of course there is rats as its surrounded by wheat fields an all sides and it is the only source of water during hot spells. Come autumn when they are cutting the fields. There wont be enough food left there to support them. That's when they come looking for food. Will anything stop them. Depends how hungry they are. Regarding a deterrent a dog is the best thing. Unless you have a well trained cat or ferret or mink.
In reply to Post #50
With all the kit carp anglers buy why don't they invest in a bivvy loo or take bottles of water they can drink and then refill when needing a piss or have an empty bottle with them to take a piss?
There are ways of dealing with bodily functions and not leaving it in the countryside.
With all the kit carp anglers buy why don't they invest in a bivvy loo or take bottles of water they can drink and then refill when needing a piss or have an empty bottle with them to take a piss?
There are ways of dealing with bodily functions and not leaving it in the countryside.
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