Rat poison

[Gill]

My neighbour has just had rat poison laid in her garden, my concern is that if the rat eats it and then dies in my garden will the hedgehogs eat it? The hogs can’t get into her garden and we occasionally see the rat in ours.

[stef]

Hi Gill

I’m sorry your neighbour has gone down this route. It’s not only destructive to the rat but also anything else that may eat it or the rat
If the rat can get into your garden it’s very likely the hedgehog can get into theirs.
The hog is unlikely to eat the rat but it will eat the poison
I suggest you ask your neighbour to put the poison into something too small for the hog to get into, and that also they remove it as soon as they’ve got rid of the rat

[Williamc]

Usually when one has rat poison put out it is inside bait boxes which a hedgehog couldn’t get into (although a juvenile might but it’s a bit early for those just yet!). I very much doubt it has been laid in the open but worth checking with them.

[Nic]

It’s amazing how many people don’t use bait boxes. Some even use rainwater type pipes laid on the ground, which is one of the reasons I worry a bit about hedgehogs being encouraged to use those to get into feed boxes, etc. I even heard of a professional pest person suggesting using that sort of thing.

[simbo65]

Hi-
have heard of someone using a bait box near me……can hedgehogs get in them?
I am very concerned that having no visitors for over a month now may be connected
Thanks

[Author]

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