Humm .. How easy is it to get Weil's disease from Rats?

[koscha (Ruth M)]

The bird table is more than likely the cause... it has brought rats into my fathers garden on multiple occasions. They live under the shed and nick food from both this and the neighbours garden.

Here we're surrounded by arable fields so tend to get a lot of wildlife too....even had a hare lope across our drive! 

It seems to have calmed down recently as my father has the local birds trained to come for their food at 7-8 am so it never hangs around long enough for the rats to get a look in.

Its such a problem isn't it? We want to feed the birds and help keep thier numbers up..but we end up encouraging unwelcome guests (and they're becoming more and more brazen).


Found this link...might give you a few ideas  http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/forums/p/5680/44647.aspx

[Tan]

Thanks hun.   

I think i will have to stop feeding the birds in the garden prob one of the main reasons they are here.  Funny thing is the lads saw one the other eve by the pond and just stared at it.  Obviously mates ! 

The neighbours have also said they have seen them as well in their gardens. There are quite a few of us that feed the birds round here.

[koscha (Ruth M)]

As far as I understand it the Leptospirosis bacteria (the cause of Weils) must come into contact with broken skins, eyes or be ingested, so make sure that no-one touches thier eyes or mouths and cuts are covered.

Wash hands when you come in (basically practice good hygiene)

I know a little about it as I have lived near the Norfolk Broads and Weils is prevalent there. Thats the reason why you find the locals going into the water on sufference only 

While I usually detest using Wikipedia, this article is ok... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptospirosis

Don't scare yourself with the symptoms, please. It tends to be people who work in risk occupations and do watersports who are most at risk. 

[Tan]

Been down bottom of garden today and noticed some holes in ground, Spotted 3 rats in garden last eve on Bird table    We live on outskirts of New Forest and right opposite farming fields  so i know there is alot of wildlife about. ie seen foxes, owls, mice etc  but not had this in Garden before. 

I have just checked on Net and the nice habitat for wild rats in country does incl Gardens with ponds, gardens where birds are fed, Garden with decking for nice nest making. ...... ooops we have all three!!  and i have seen dropping in garden as well and been told they pee everywhere.

Question is - Is it safe outside for the lads and for us? Can any of us pick up any diseases from say sitting on benches Rats have peed on etc?

We did have a few small rats caught and brought in last year by the lads but the ones i saw yest were huge!!