RAT/VERMIN CONTROL

Question
I have a rat problem and cannot use poison due to domestic pets.I am looking for a high power rifle and scope to despatch the vermin humanely,and would prefer british products if possible.Your advices will be gratefully received.

                         Regards,
                                                                                   Mike Carter.

Answer
Mike,

If you dont want to break the bank i suggest you get a BSA Lighting. It's a spring air rifle which works at the legal limit of 12ft/lbs. I owned one in .177 for many years and it has killed literally hundreds of squirrels and rabbits. Couple it with a scope (about 4x32 will suit you fine, Hawke are decent and not to expensive) any you will be away. Js Ramsbottom tend to have some good deals on. You may find you can get the rifle and scope for less than ?00. Either .22 or .177 will do you fine (there is allot of tripe talked about airgun calibres, for the most part you can ignore it - i know I do! They all work!)

A couple of tips for you about getting the rats:

1) Always make sure there dead before you pick them up, cus if there not you can get alsorts of nasties from a bite

2) use a glove when you do pick them up, you can get weeils disease from handling them - a trip to the hospital for that one

3) If you vent the exhaust fumes from a chainsaw or other 2 stroke engine down there hole - they all come running out, you can either shoot them or capture them in a purse net.

4) If you go at night, get a friend to spot them with a torch this dazzles them so you can take the shot.

5) Have fun!

Yours

Johnny