Rat problems common at the moment. Lockdowns haven't helped. With restaurants and takeaways shut for periods, they've moved to different areas.
I live in a new build. Because sewage pipes cannot be sealed around completely for 10 years, they somehow detected and managed to get under the house around a pipe. Not sure how long for as had heard odd noises for a while in the area of wall the pipe runs under but put it down to birds on top of the chimney for the wood burner which is there too.
Anyway, cut a long story short I contacted both the council pest control department (£120 two visits) and a private firm (£165 for 3 visits). Private firm were quick to response so they got the work. Luckily there seemed to have only been a few rats and the pest guy reckons they actually burrowed their way in. They're clever little buggers as the trap he tried to use they just burrowed around and the ground fell on top of it, setting it off. So had to use poisoned bate and luckily no bad smells of death so far.
I'm intending to get the spaces around my sewage pipes filled soon, just going to take the risk if the house continues to settle they could break. For now wire mesh has been used and some expanding foam.
Worth noting that apparently (according to press) 75% of rats are resistant to most bait now, particularly off the shelf stuff. Pest controllers have access to other stuff however so if your own techniques don't work then consider getting in a pest controller. THey can also advise on how to avoid in future and can work out the size of the infestation. Bit difficult to avoid on a farm but a key thing is food - they won't move in where there's no access to a food supply. In my case it's probably bird feeding neighbours providing food although I live right next to a woods and tiny stream not helping either (fresh water). Hopefully my neighbours are now removing bird food overnight from their feeding tables.
Good luck resolving.
