wrote:

Bob Hobden wrote:
told. The one I found dead was quite big for a mouse, but not a rat (had
them in our garden at home), and had a reddish colour fur with a white
tummy and after your comment I haven't been able to put a name to it.

"Squirrel"? :-D


ITYM Gopher
\0

Mark wrote:

wrote:

Bob Hobden wrote:
told. The one I found dead was quite big for a mouse, but not a rat (had
them in our garden at home), and had a reddish colour fur with a white
tummy and after your comment I haven't been able to put a name to it.

"Squirrel"? :-D


ITYM Gopher

How to rid your garden of ground dwelling rodents, US style.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXsieVOTbm0
\0

On 4 May 2010 13:40:31 GMT, wrote:

The rat we had left about a 4-5" hole, but then it was a /huge/ bugger
that I saw.

Yes, rats can get very big, I've seen several of the "small cat" size
here and abroad.

--
Cheers
Dave.

"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...


"Kroma" wrote
I am in need of help.

Last Autumn, a hole was dug by a creature in our lawn, about 9 inches or
so from our pond. The hole was about 7 inches in diameter and appeared to
have been dug by an animal standing on the lawn as the soil excavated in
the digging of the pond could clearly be seen strewn in one direction
(and some of it went in the pond). We assumed that a fox did the
digging - we sometimes see them about.

I filled it in but it soon reappeared. This happened a few times.

Then a smaller hold (about 3 inches in diameter) appeared in the same
place. The difference this time was that the hole had very clean sides
and there was no debris surrounding the entrance/exit of the hole so I
assume that it had been dug from within.

This was duly filled in and reappeared so I placed a large stone on top
and it stayed like that for several months over the winter.

About three weeks back, I took it upon myself to excavate the hole
properly and to see if there were any tunnels under the lawn. I duly did
this, and found that the hole was at least as deep as the length of my
arm and appeared to run off in at least one direction - towards the pond
(I think it must have gone as far as the pond liner)!!! It was difficult
to tell if it also ran away from the pond.

After widening the mouth of the hole, I carefully filled the entire void
(or as much as I could reach) with soil and packed it down. I then added
some lawn seed to the surface and have been watering it since.

However, 2 days ago, the 3 inch diameter (and clean hole) returned!

I filled it with soil (it went fairly deep - it needed a surprising
amount of soil) and stamped it down.
Yesterday, there was a small hole in the same place - possibly where the
soil had collapsed slightly into a remaining void beneath (as it had been
raining). Today, the hole is back as can be seen in my photo:
http://www.zen24579.zen.co.uk/Photo-0057.jpg

Now I am concerned. I wouldn't mind so much but I think that my pond is
in danger. If anything burrowing beneath should get through my pond
liner then my hard work building the pond will have gone to waste.

What could be making the hole? How can I stop it? We have looked around
for another hole (including in the nearby alleyway) but can't find one.

Any help would be very gratefully received. Are there any forums online
which might be more appropriate or have I come to the right place
(apologies if not).

Wood Mice I suspect, we have them on our allotment and they tunnel around
extensively. Absolute pain, eat all our Red and White currants but tend to
leave the Black Currants alone, seem to like Cranberries and soft fruit
too, and, it appears, are not adversed to chewing growing potatoes.
Bait seems of little use IME.
--
I have yet to see a wood mouse that would make large holes that this. Bob.
Tina

wrote in message
...
In article ,
Bob Hobden wrote:
"Kroma" wrote

However, 2 days ago, the 3 inch diameter (and clean hole) returned!

Wood Mice I suspect, we have them on our allotment and they tunnel around
extensively. ...

You clearly have wood mice the size of transpondian gophers :-)



LOL! my thoughts exactly

"Christina Websell" wrote
I have yet to see a wood mouse that would make large holes that this. Bob.

The holes that appear in the soil at ground level are not that large but if
you dig down I find the holes that run around our plot underground are
actually quite large. In this case something else has dug down so the tiny
ground level hole is not evident.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK

On 03/05/2010 17:08, Kroma wrote:

Last Autumn, a hole was dug by a creature in our lawn, about 9 inches or
so from our pond. The hole was about 7 inches in diameter and appeared
to have been dug by an animal standing on the lawn as the soil excavated
in the digging of the pond could clearly be seen strewn in one direction
(and some of it went in the pond). We assumed that a fox did the digging
- we sometimes see them about.

I filled it in but it soon reappeared. This happened a few times.

Then a smaller hold (about 3 inches in diameter) appeared in the same
place. The difference this time was that the hole had very clean sides
and there was no debris surrounding the entrance/exit of the hole so I
assume that it had been dug from within.

Hi again everyone - thank you all for the replies.

Gleaning what I can from all the messages I suspect that the initial
hole (the large one) was indeed made by a fox digging down (sensing
something beneath the lawn).
Then, the creature beneath has dug up to the surface and made the
smaller hole.

I have just made a more accurate measurement of the current hole and,
although when measured in one direction at the very surface, the
diameter is 3 inches, it would appear that in the other direction (and,
if I could measure down the main shaft) the diameter is indeed more like
2 and a half inches.

I think, from what has been said, this is likely to indicate a rat.

There is however no sign of rat activity on the surface. Nothing has
been chewed. My nearby compost heap appears unaffected. My paved pond
surround has no droppings on it.

I assume therefore that Mr Rat is living beneath my lawn.

Is there likely to be a large cavern beneath my lawn housing a big Rat
Family?

I have tried running water from a hosepipe down the hole for 10 minutes
to see if it filled to the surface... nothing!

What would you all suggest next? Am I to assume that there must be
another end to the tunnel? Probably in another garden I guess.

All I want to do is to be able to keep the hole filled (and for grass to
grow there again), prevent rat activity from re-appearing and to stop
anything from trying to tunnel further and consequently risk gnawing
into the side of my pond (which is lined with silver sand, newspaper and
carpet underlay).

Thanks again for your help.

Kroma

"Kroma" wrote in message
...

What would you all suggest next? Am I to assume that there must be
another end to the tunnel? Probably in another garden I guess.


I had a rat problem when I kept chickens in a deep litter house. They would
dig under the footings to get in. Broken glass down the hole helped. New
hole? More broken glass ;-))

The footings were dug for another deep litter house and broken glass was put
into the bottom of the trench prior to concrete being poured. (As it happens
I got rid of the site before any expansion took place)

Mike

--

....................................
Today, is the tomorrow, you were worrying about, yesterday.
....................................

"Kroma" wrote in message
...
On 03/05/2010 17:08, Kroma wrote:

Last Autumn, a hole was dug by a creature in our lawn, about 9
inches or
so from our pond. The hole was about 7 inches in diameter and
appeared
to have been dug by an animal standing on the lawn as the soil
excavated
in the digging of the pond could clearly be seen strewn in one
direction
(and some of it went in the pond). We assumed that a fox did
the digging
- we sometimes see them about.
I have tried running water from a hosepipe down the hole for 10
minutes to see if it filled to the surface... nothing!


Do you have a petrol engine car? I have got rid of rats in the
past by gassing them with carbon monoxide. If so just run a tube
from the car exhaust well down into the hole and seal with soil
at the surface. Leave the car running for half an hour, job done.

Mike
The muddy one!

On Sat, 8 May 2010 17:44:19 +0100, "Muddymike"
gently dipped his quill in the best
Quink that money could buy:


"Kroma" wrote in message
.. .
On 03/05/2010 17:08, Kroma wrote:

Last Autumn, a hole was dug by a creature in our lawn, about 9
inches or
so from our pond. The hole was about 7 inches in diameter and
appeared
to have been dug by an animal standing on the lawn as the soil
excavated
in the digging of the pond could clearly be seen strewn in one
direction
(and some of it went in the pond). We assumed that a fox did
the digging
- we sometimes see them about.
I have tried running water from a hosepipe down the hole for 10
minutes to see if it filled to the surface... nothing!


Do you have a petrol engine car? I have got rid of rats in the
past by gassing them with carbon monoxide. If so just run a tube
from the car exhaust well down into the hole and seal with soil
at the surface. Leave the car running for half an hour, job done.

Mike
The muddy one!


Then you find that the hole really did exit under next doors decking
and you just gassed the baby in the pram :-)
Quick sale ???

Mike P the 1st

"Mike P the 1st"
wrote in message
...
On Sat, 8 May 2010 17:44:19 +0100, "Muddymike"
gently dipped his quill in the
best
Quink that money could buy:


"Kroma" wrote in message
. ..
On 03/05/2010 17:08, Kroma wrote:

Last Autumn, a hole was dug by a creature in our lawn, about
9
inches or
so from our pond. The hole was about 7 inches in diameter
and
appeared
to have been dug by an animal standing on the lawn as the
soil
excavated
in the digging of the pond could clearly be seen strewn in
one
direction
(and some of it went in the pond). We assumed that a fox did
the digging
- we sometimes see them about.
I have tried running water from a hosepipe down the hole for
10
minutes to see if it filled to the surface... nothing!


Do you have a petrol engine car? I have got rid of rats in the
past by gassing them with carbon monoxide. If so just run a
tube
from the car exhaust well down into the hole and seal with soil
at the surface. Leave the car running for half an hour, job
done.

Mike
The muddy one!


Then you find that the hole really did exit under next doors
decking
and you just gassed the baby in the pram :-)
Quick sale ???

Mike P the 1st

Time for the Rodenator!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1R1oKD4044&NR=1

Mike
The muddy one

Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Mon, 3 May 2010 17:40:13 +0100, Muddymike wrote:

You have rats living under your pond. Time for bait.

A 7" dia hole is just a bit on the large size for a rat hole. It's
big for rabbit, they are normally about 4" dia. 7" is badger/fox
size...

Seconded. More likely a badger IMO.

--
Rusty

Bob Hobden wrote:


..
Bob Hobden wrote:
"Kroma" wrote

However, 2 days ago, the 3 inch diameter (and clean hole) returned!

Wood Mice I suspect, we have them on our allotment and they tunnel
around
extensively. ...

You clearly have wood mice the size of transpondian gophers :-)

Obviously. They are mice, I've seen them sprint away when I've used the
cultivator. However I'm saying they are wood mice because that's what I
was told. The one I found dead was quite big for a mouse, but not a rat
(had them in our garden at home), and had a reddish colour fur with a
white tummy and after your comment I haven't been able to put a name to it.

Field mouse.

But operating a mini JCB by the sound of it.

--
Rusty

wrote:
Bob Hobden wrote:
told. The one I found dead was quite big for a mouse, but not a rat (had
them in our garden at home), and had a reddish colour fur with a white tummy
and after your comment I haven't been able to put a name to it.

"Squirrel"? :-D

Ah, yes.

Sideways...

--
Rusty

pk wrote:
"wafflycat" wrote in message
...

If your pond becomes devoid of animal life, it may well be a mink. In
which case, it needs to be trapped & dispatched.


trapped, dispatched and worn?

Well, only the older ones...

--
Rusty