My house is surrounded by livestock and buildings that contain their
straw/hay etc. My house is wooden and I have two sheds in the garden, which
is part woodland. Rats have come in from the fields and took residence in the
compost heap. I have cleared it away but they have tunelled under my house
and sheds. I have a few birdfeeders and a huge amount of visitors but have
special 'escaped seed' catchers underneath for minimal spillage. I have tried
everything to disuade the rats. I don't want to poison them as it is a slow
and painful death, I imagine (or am I wrong?). And I have shrews and a badger
who comes every night. I do worry about my birds' health, under the
circumstances, and the security of their nests. Does anyone know of a humane
way of getting rid of the rats? There are too many now to trap and release
elsewhere. I would really appreciate some help. I've looked at the FAQs but
it wasn't covered.