Thread: Rats infestation in huts

Been thinking about exploring some back country huts. But previous experience with rats is putting me off the idea.
Haven't been to any larger serviced huts, which probably gets treated regularly. The remote huts seem to be at higher risk.
Had a few instances where the hut was infested and I didn't bring a tent. Worried that I might wake up with a nose or ear missing, I walked out in the dark. Not a pleasant experience.

Any suggestions? Would something like this work?
https://www.pestrol.co.nz/buy-online...ygx5vpnqIwjB7T
Bit lighter than carrying a tent lol.

They are complete bollox. Had a commercial sized one and just drove the people crazy with its whine and the birds and rats and mice took no notice.

Originally Posted by XR500

They are complete bollox. Had a commercial sized one and just drove the people crazy with its whine and the birds and rats and mice took no notice.

take in 3-4 rat traps with peanut butter light easy to carry - block bigger holes if you can - quite often around the fire place - dont leave food out - hang it up if there is rat sign - and yes those sonic rat scares are bollocks

Don't get too invested in worry , at worst you could have a story to tell.
One night i was dreaming that i was patting the cat in bed before the brain sparked up and realized i was camping on the desert road. Not sure if the ferret or me got the biggest scare. ! I do know i slept alot better the nxt night though after i smacked the shit out of it with a Manuka stick after it came back for cuddles

Yes, carry a couple of Victor rat/mice traps in your pack. Like said - peanut butter is the go. Generally mice and rats do not cohabit the same area - rats will eat mice. Good luck on your travels.

Some good advice there.
And you can do your bit for conservation by helping keep our backcountry pristine and carry in a bucket of Rat Bait.
But don't just spread it around or toss it under the hut, It'll only get carted away and stored in just one or two nests.
Nail it to pieces of firewood and leave it in dry sheltered places.
Or if you visit a campsite regularly.... Leave a couple of Victor #1's, that you've pre hair triggered, permanently nailed around the camp perimeter.
But don't leave them set when you walk out. That's just too cruel if you catch a possum and it lingers for days in the trap.
In just one camp over 2024, I caught 26 rats, 1 mouse, 5 hedgehogs, 7 possums and 1 cat
The easy thing is, it all happens while your sleeping

Originally Posted by NIMROD

Some good advice there.
And you can do your bit for conservation by helping keep our backcountry pristine and carry in a bucket of Rat Bait.
But don't just spread it around or toss it under the hut, It'll only get carted away and stored in just one or two nests.
Nail it to pieces of firewood and leave it in dry sheltered places.
Or if you visit a campsite regularly.... Leave a couple of Victor #1's, that you've pre hair triggered, permanently nailed around the camp perimeter.
But don't leave them set when you walk out. That's just too cruel if you catch a possum and it lingers for days in the trap.
In just one camp over 2024, I caught 26 rats, 1 mouse, 5 hedgehogs, 7 possums and 1 cat
The easy thing is, it all happens while your sleeping

Thanks for the advice. Very impressive!

Some of the most hilarious moments in my life has been with mates trying to eradicate rats in huts with all manner of brooms

We have had a few scratches, bumps and bruises and sometimes we even get the dirty rat

A mate woke with a rat on his pillow, and unfortunately yelled out in a most girlish scream, I laughed so hard I could barely breathe, then I couldn’t get back to sleep

Had lots of fun nights at Waikare Whenua, and Hanamahihi and Waikare central etc etc
Man up matey, a shared experience is better than no adventure.

Originally Posted by NIMROD

Some good advice there.
And you can do your bit for conservation by helping keep our backcountry pristine and carry in a bucket of Rat Bait.
But don't just spread it around or toss it under the hut, It'll only get carted away and stored in just one or two nests.
Nail it to pieces of firewood and leave it in dry sheltered places.
Or if you visit a campsite regularly.... Leave a couple of Victor #1's, that you've pre hair triggered, permanently nailed around the camp perimeter.
But don't leave them set when you walk out. That's just too cruel if you catch a possum and it lingers for days in the trap.
In just one camp over 2024, I caught 26 rats, 1 mouse, 5 hedgehogs, 7 possums and 1 cat
The easy thing is, it all happens while your sleeping

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But don't leave poison where it can be accessed by dogs.

And if you take some traps, tie them off to something with a bit of string so you don’t lose them.

I've been in a Canterbury high country station hut a few weeks after they had burned off a few hundred acres of scrub and tussock.
Day and night there were plagues of mice.
Dozens visible during the day
Hundreds visible at night.

A guy put out poison mixed with raspberry jam and it disappeared in an instant and nothing made any difference to the onslaught of mice.

Rats.
Jollie Brook hut many years ago and they were hanging from the rafters.
On you sleeping bags constantly at night.

Yep as Nimrod said, take a small bucket or ziplock bag with ratbait along with some nails, that way they can't carry it away. They will have a party the first night but start to get a bit quieter as the next nights carry out.

Awesome wait above Nimrod

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a few rat mice facts for baiting very different animals to target - both require a poison that is tasteless so the anti coagulants are used - but they take to it differently- both put out small amounts over a few days - if you leave a lot of bait rats will simply take it away and store it as has been said on here - rats will try - thats nice - then try -again and again yum and then have a big scoff - mice wont do that and are hard to bait - the poisoned grain is the best - place somewhere dark and out of sight they are cautious - if you do take bait to a hut then some preparation - leave a sign in plain sight that you have laid bait and what it is - nail the baits to branches or timber and place well under hut - or use a commercial bait station - if you do -a medal- be neat if more made the effort - but traps work and have some fun - very satisfying to hear than ka-chink just after dark - we used to take a few gin traps for possums as dog tucker - hair trigged they catch rats fine same as victor ones - one thing in your favour normally there is not many at a hut - but mice plaques are not nice- to see dozens running around in the bush in broad daylight almost like a bloody nightmare