I've had signs of rats and dug out my compost which was here when we moved in.

Will rats vacate a nest and find one elsewheere if best part has been dug out or will they return and re-build nest further in hedgerow.?
About 5 ran out hid in the nearby hedgrow will them then come back and re-shape the nest? I don't like poison it's too slow and cruel. Yes I know of the deseases but hoping they will move on now.

Charlie, March 2009

Rats live where there is a good food supply and somewhere to raise their young. Remove the food and safe environment and they will find somewhere to live. Just make sure any out buildings and the house are vermin proof and remove the compost heap completely, dig the well rotted stuff into the garden, get rid of any waste not composted and don't put new stuff out.

Rake out the dead vegetation from the hedgerow and generally clean up the site, burn it or take it to the tip. Any food left out for birds etc will also encourage vermin.

If the problem persists your options are limited to pest control. I don't know of any operators that live trap rats for release elsewere.

Tinker, March 2009