We have to keep rat baits out permanently. I have half a dozen enclosed bait stations around the house and others at outbuildings. I buy bulk blocks from the rural supplier and refresh them regularly.
We live near old mine works, 1850’s to 1880’s era, and whenever there are decent rainfalls rats are flushed out, I presume because old underground works get flooded. I’ve sat up looking for foxes through my thermal on a few occasions and seen processions of rats come up out of disused culverts.
Chickens are a complete magnet for the things too. My neighbours on the western boundary have a coup and if I look through the thermal at night I’ll be guaranteed of seeing rats on the roof and crawling up the sides. I have commercial style outdoor bait stations on that fence line but that’s only a control measure and doesn’t really solve the problem. The rats come from near and far because of the chooks.
