Mammals Unwelcome Visitor

[TomF162]

An unwelcome visitor on the Nyjer feeder. It's odd to see it out during the daytime.

• ILCE-6700
• E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS
• 350.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 3200

 

[Richard A]

You need to buy an air rifle!

 

[TomF162]

You need to buy an air rifle!

I was tempted to use mine, but if I missed the shot would have gone through my neighbors window, so the dirty rat bast.... lived to see another day. Trapping plans are in the works.

 

[Unframed Dave]

In the UK, it's not good to see them during daylight hours, usually means they are overpopulated.

 

[Richard A]

We get a few here in spring. I have two greyhounds and they are very good at catching them.

 

[THXGEEK]

Umm...... Yuck.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

My trigger finger is twitching just looking at that rodent

 

[TomF162]

Despite the subject matter, I do feel that it is an interesting photograph. Out in the rural area where we are it is a constant battle with the mice, voles, moles, rats and gophers.

 

[Richard A]

Which of those critters would be native to your area and which would be feral? Rarely are native animals a problem here. What's left of them. The problems here to the natural environment and for farming are very largely introduced species.

 

[spudhead]

Despite the subject matter, I do feel that it is an interesting photograph. Out in the rural area where we are it is a constant battle with the mice, voles, moles, rats and gophers.

I used to have a mouse problem on the feeders, 2-3 years ago, sorry Tom I don`t want to highjack your thread

• ILCE-9
• 300mm F2.8 G
• 300.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 400

• ILCE-9
• 300mm F2.8 G
• 300.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 400

 

[dragonsdreams]

They tend to multiply in the UK gardens when there are a lot of birds feeders and also if people keep chickens. The easy way to get rid of them is using concentrated peppermint essence. I stuck some cotton wool balls soaked in mint essence down one of their tunnels and they were never seen again (after we had them for years previously). Works for mice too- had some living under the house floorboards for years but within a free days of putting print dishes balls under the boards they disappeared and stayed away, not a year later.
I don't really have anything against them ( I used to keep fancy rats as pets) apart from they carry some nasty diseases and reproduce far too quickly- much like humans then!

 

[TomF162]

Which of those critters would be native to your area and which would be feral? Rarely are native animals a problem here. What's left of them. The problems here to the natural environment and for farming are very largely introduced species.

I believe that they are all native. Their natural predators are on the decline. The local snakes and barn cats help a bit.

 

[Richard A]

Rats and mice are more of a nuisance here than a huge problem. I have been in central NSW when there was a mice plague however. Biggest problem feral animals here are cats, rabbits, foxes, pigs, donkeys, camels, cane toads, European carp and some bird species. The state and federal governments spend billions every year just trying to keep these in check. I think they have given up on trying to eradicate any of them.