How to eliminate a rat problem

In part 1 of this series, Hugh & Fiona Osborne looked at why rats might come on to a smallholding, how to make a smallholding unattractive to rats and how to identify their presence.

- Hugh & Fiona Osborne

Unfortunately, even in the best run smallholding, there may come a time when there is an established rat colony that needs to be dealt with. In this second part of the series, they examine how to deal with a rat colony quickly, legally and as humanely as possible.

ETHICS AND THE LAW

Whilst it may well prove necessary to control problem rats around poultry or smallholdings, it is very important to do so both ethically and legally. Thankfully the smallholders and poultry keepers that we know care passionately about wildlife and would hate to inflict unnecessary suffering on any living creature. With that as our compass, it is worth being up to date with relevant products, standards and legislation. In this article we will focus on the legislation in England as that is where we live but it's important to check the legislation if you're in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, as while often broadly similar within the UK, there are differences.

When controlling rats, the three most common approaches are shooting, trapping and rodenticide (poison). Each area has legislation that controls activity and the legislation broadly dictates

• Who is legally permitted to carry out the activity

• What qualifications, licenses and registration they must have.

• Where rodent control may legally be carried out.

• Which materials can be used legally.

• How responsible rodent control should be undertaken.

We don't have time to review the detail of all the relevant legislation here, but it is worth noting at least the major relevant laws as well as some recent and upcoming changes that we should all be aware of.