Help! I think I've got rats in my garden

[imawigglyworm]

DH went in the shed about a fortnight ago and found a dead rat (looked like it had starved maybe) and one of my DS have just found a dead baby rat in my garden.

We have 3 DS's, 3 cats and a dog so how can I get rid of them??

I think the May be under the shed but can't see any evidence tbh, they Might not even be in my garden. Just don't want them to come into the house or be over run by them.
Household waste is always in wheelie bins and we pick up after the dog regularly. Is there any more I can do?

I can imagine pest control is expensive.... but if I need to I will

[Hakluyt]

I think everyone has rats in their garden, don't they?

[Germgirl]

Call your council. Ours will send the pest people round for free if you have rats. All other pests cost £80.

[EauRouge]

You have 3 cats and a dog and you still have rats? I would sack the lot of them You can buy traps from DIY stores, that would be cheaper than private pest control. I've never seen a rat or any evidence of one in my garden.

[imawigglyworm]

I know rats are pretty much everywhere but until now I hadn't seen one especially in my garden.
And yes EauRouge I think I should sack them but I'm guessing one probably caught the baby rat found this morning.
The dog is always sniffing around the shed that's why I thought maybe they were there...

Will give the council a call, I didn't think of that tbf.
Thank you

[hoboken]

The only time I have seen rats in either my house or garden is when Hobocat2 killed two young ones in a single morning and brought them inside. It had never happened before nor has it since. I guess rats are around but most keep out of the way. Do your cats have 24 hour access to the garden? If not, the rats may be partying while the felines are shut in.

[imawigglyworm]

Yeah we have a cat flap so they are in and out as and when they please. One does venture around the neighbours gardens often so it might not of even been caught in our garden (I'm hoping)