In rural areas, rats and mice are extremely common. Numbers usually increase in late Summer/early Autumn when the weather is warm, food is plentiful and there is plenty of vegetation to hide in. For information about how to reduce rats on your property and reduce the risk of rats moving indoors when temperatures drop later in the year, read on for links from the British Pest Control Association and others.

BPSA – How to get rid of and control rats

Chickens, compost heaps and bird feeding can all attract rats, so there are some some specific links below about ways to manage these.

Raising Happy Chickens – 5 ways to keep rats and mice away from your chickens

GrowVeg.co.uk – How to keep rats out of your compost

http://Birdslife.co.uk -How to stop attracting rats to bird feeders

For more information, or for pest control advice, go to Dorset Council Environmental Health website here.