Rat-proofing my patio doors

[themoo]

Nearly died the other night when a rat the size of a small donkey came into my sitting room via the patio doors. I've been leaving them open as I don't have any other windows in my sitting room, and my dog can go in/out. Obviously it's not something I can continue to do! I have an insect mesh curtain on there but a rat can get through that. I've seen boards which block off the entrance to the doors but surely a rat could climb over that? Before I buy an expensive one I can't really afford does anyone have any DIY suggestions please?

A rat or mouse got in last year and caused a bit of a nightmare so I'm really trying to avoid that happening again.

Thank you.

 

[foxhole]

You can’t stop a rat entering if you leave doors open , have the odd rat in the garden but my dogs and local squirrels keep them under control .

 

[HERTS P&D]

Nearly died the other night when a rat the size of a small donkey came into my sitting room via the patio doors.

That made me LOL!



Andy

 

[Old Salt]

Let the dog sort it out.

 

[^woody^]

Trade the dog in for a Jack Russell.

Otherwise your faffing about with a bit of ply or suchlike placed on the floor across the opening

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

 

[Koolpc]

Just put a sign up saying rats not allowed...simple!

 

[Mottie]

Nearly died the other night when a rat the size of a small donkey came into my sitting room

I've told you a thousand times to stop exaggerating.

 

[themoo]

So I'm not killing off the rat unless I absolutely have to. It does its stuff and I do mine, as long as our paths don't cross... the dog is useless, bless him. If I'm ever attacked he won't do anything, just watch dispassionately until I'm dead. Then he'll eat me.

B&Q weren't much help but I came away with a metre of fine mesh which I've propped up in front of the doors with my bin until I can sort something proper out.

 

[Elsa TLC]

That made me LOL!



Andy

That got me giggling too..

 

[Elsa TLC]

I've told you a thousand times to stop exaggerating.

Thats the answer. Play 24 hour continuous Mottie jokes. It would deter the hard of hearing.

 

[Elsa TLC]

Peter the Cat Bonetti died a couple of years back. He was my Hansom feline.

Within a week or so of him leaving us we had Rats in the Garden. I suspect we've always had rats. But I only ever see a couple of Dead ones while Pete was with us.

Despite the two dogs I have, the Rats were now cocky & brazen. The dogs couldn't catch a dead Pineapple.

Anyway, Mrs Bod wanted a Ginger. I wasn't having that, so I got her a kitten for Christmas instead.

Theo the kitten Bonetti just looked out the patio doors for the first 5 months of his life. We didn't let him out until the spring weather arrived. In that time I never see another rat.

Now a fully grown cat. the Garden is Theos Kingdom. I've still not seen a living Rat.

Until however the other day after ripping out alot of Ivy around the shed and house I sat on my bench in my garden:
A rat the size of a rat ran past me. "**** the living days out of me."

The moral of my long winded story is ; GET A CAT.

The Rats obviously are still about. They just wont go where the cat home show their faces in our garden.

 

[themoo]

So the rat turned up in my neighbour's house. In the loo, to be precise. While he was sitting on it. He put some traps out and of course one caught the rat while he was away so I had to deal with it. I feel a bit guilty having moved it away from its family and friends but at least we didn't kill it - let it go in a field a mile or so away.

My friend had to point out it was there when she came round - my dog sniffed it with vague interest then walked away so I think you're right and I need to get a cat!

 

[simplesteve]

So the rat turned up in my neighbour's house. In the loo, to be precise. While he was sitting on it.

That’s a well trained rat. What paper was he reading ? Lol

 

[themoo]

Toilet paper!