Froggerella
Junior Guinea Pig
I wasn't sure whether to post this in this section, or the health section - apologies if it's in the wrong one!
I have two hutches outside my kitchen window, two pigs in each. They're sturdy hutches, both raised a little off the ground, etc.
However, the other night my partner thinks he may have seen a wild rat going behind one of them. Now, this isn't a big surprise to me - we're surrounded by farmland, and I spotted a rat in the garden a few years back (pre-guinea pig times), but not since.
I've double checked the hutches and they're quite secure, and the bars are thick enough that I don't think a rat would easily get in without my noticing that something had been chewing at them. However, I'm particularly worried about the possible transference of fleas/mites/other parasites or disease through the bars if the rat gets too close.
With a heavy heart, I've purchased rat poison and a secure rat poison holder (so no cats or otherwise can eat it) - I've had a pet rat in the past, and I'm not a fan of killing animals, but I'm aware that wild rats can carry a lot of nasties and my pigs must come first. The pigs aren't at risk of ingesting the poison, to be clear.
I was just wondering if anyone else has dealt with this kind of situation, what you did, and if you've got any advice?
I have two hutches outside my kitchen window, two pigs in each. They're sturdy hutches, both raised a little off the ground, etc.
However, the other night my partner thinks he may have seen a wild rat going behind one of them. Now, this isn't a big surprise to me - we're surrounded by farmland, and I spotted a rat in the garden a few years back (pre-guinea pig times), but not since.
I've double checked the hutches and they're quite secure, and the bars are thick enough that I don't think a rat would easily get in without my noticing that something had been chewing at them. However, I'm particularly worried about the possible transference of fleas/mites/other parasites or disease through the bars if the rat gets too close.
With a heavy heart, I've purchased rat poison and a secure rat poison holder (so no cats or otherwise can eat it) - I've had a pet rat in the past, and I'm not a fan of killing animals, but I'm aware that wild rats can carry a lot of nasties and my pigs must come first. The pigs aren't at risk of ingesting the poison, to be clear.
I was just wondering if anyone else has dealt with this kind of situation, what you did, and if you've got any advice?
