I have managed to eradicate the rats I had last year. They had made a network of runs underneath the builders trugs that I use to catch discarded bird seed. Its got a big stone in it so doesn’t move. The runs were entirely underground so not accessible to either the birds or hogs. Placed bait carefully in the run underneath and then removed the uneaten part completely when they had stopped taking it (about 5 days). I still have mice in the garden but I dont mind them as much. I have seen signs of the hogs again this year so there is at least one about, our hedgehog house seems to be in use so perhaps one there, there are several other possible locations, log pile, compost heap, twigs and old hanging baskets heap, pile of old fence posts (its not a tidy ‘service’ area!)
I am feeding now and the dry food is taken each night using a home made feeding station with an entrance labyrinth to deter cats. I have seen hedghog poo inside the feed station as well as around the grass area but I must get a camera to see whats actually happening. The hogs dont seem to come out as soon as its gets dark as they did last summer and it gets cold hanging around to see them!
A question on feeding. Has anyone used an automatic feeding system for the hogs using the dry food? There are several such appliances available designed for cats, hamsters etc. and it would be useful when on holiday otherwise the hogs go without for that period. I keep telling my wife we should stop having holidays but she then appears upset and thus disagrees vehemently so lost that one! I will post this question on the feeding boards as well.
