Can I burn rotting pile of brash in field that I suspect is harbouring rodents or other suggestions?

[smallguy]

I recently bought the plot some months ago. Not been over the side in question much but now would like to develop it.

 

The site was cleared before purchase and the brash piles must have been there almost a year now, having noticed them even when I came to look at the land last year.

 

There are lots of droppings around that area where I had just been mucking around using as a makeshift basecamp to cook here and there.

 

I would be fine for live and let live however since I now want to go over there to work the area and use storage and even sleep sometimes then our paths become at odds. Most importantly I want to park my van there so don't want them getting in it to chew it up.

 

I have read that one should not do it now as hedgehogs might be in there. Should I wait or just crack on?

 

There is long grass too and seen field voles several times so it could be them and/or mice or a mix. Rats have bigger dropping I have read so guessing might not be them or I might not  be an expert dropping identifier I don't know.

 

I don't have heavy machinery to clear that brash and even if I did I have seen the ratting videos where they all scamper as soon as their nests are disturbed.

 

Burn in place seems the most logical option.

 

I want to clear the piles so they don't have any obvious hiding places. I am certainly also concerned if it would harbour other nice creatures but how can one know? We have to sometimes break some eggs no? Even none vegetable crops small animals die in the harverster and other heavy machines don't they?

 

Just being alive and moving in the world is going to kill something eh? When digging we guillotine many worms with the shovel thrusts.

 

I figure with a fire that gives them fair warning to get out and smoke is even used alone to flush them out as a tactic and then if they stay it seems as human as other killing methods since a roaring fire will probably be quick?

 

I am all for peaceful solutions but since I want to park my van there want things cleared so there are minimum hiding places and don't want rodents to chew the van wires cos then I would be stranded.

 

Just trying to look for the general modus operandi in such situations as it is all new to me being a land owner and having such moral quandaries of rubbing up against other creatures.

[Paul in the woods]

A quick google will show you pics of droppings to see what might be there. If it is rats I doubt just clearing the rotting pile will get rid of them as they will be in the area and burrowing in the ground etc.

 

If you're worried about rats best get rid of them by trapping/shooting/poison and get someone in if you don't know what your doing.

 

I'd also look at steps to stop rodents getting in your van if you're worried about that. There must be van forums that can offer advice, I gather peppermint oil may work.

 

Burning rotting brash in situ will kill all sorts of wildlife, frogs, toads, beetles etc.

[GarethM]

Whilst you can burn it, the problem you'll face is other protected animals such as hedgehogs maybe even a badger set maybe using it now.

 

Damage either and your in serious trouble, simple option is to move brash pile as you burn it, leave it to rot down.

[openspaceman]

what's wrong with starting a small fire adjacent and hand balling the heap on to it, that way any mammals can get away.

 

Having seen burning rabbits trying to escape a fire and chasing them to put them out of their pain I won't fire old piles in situ.

[smallguy]

19 minutes ago, openspaceman said:

what's wrong with starting a small fire adjacent and hand balling the heap on to it, that way any mammals can get away.

 

Having seen burning rabbits trying to escape a fire and chasing them to put them out of their pain I won't fire old piles in situ.

Problem is it is very entangled and compacted.

 

If it was easier to move I would have done it by hand but it a massive. 2 acres worth of small trees all intertwined with mud and other detritus oh and also metal wire woven in there to make it all the more trouble to free parts from the pile.

 

It is probably about 4x6m wide and a couple high.

 

If I sink the 3 pronged fork like thing in it - don't know what it is called for removing topsoil - when I pull it mostly just gets jammed.

 

I tried moving a few loads to add some bulk to muddy paths and was extremely slow work I gave up after 2 or 3 loads.

 

So is it like the piles on my bum that I am now just stuck with them?

[Muddy42]

Just wait until its a bit dryer (and the hedgehogs have stopped hibernating) then you can just stick a match in and the piles will burn in situ. 

[Stere]

4 x 6m isnt very big at all to move don't be so lazy imo....

 

Id start a small fire and drag it from the large pile would be all gone in a fews hrs if its all dry.

 

 

[Paul in the woods]

1 hour ago, Muddy42 said:

Just wait until its a bit dryer (and the hedgehogs have stopped hibernating) then you can just stick a match in and the piles will burn in situ. 

 

If hedgehogs are about they can use the pile throughout the year. Hibernating, resting during the day and nesting.

 

[smallguy]

3 minutes ago, Stere said:

4 x 6m isnt very big at all to move don't be so lazy imo....

 

Id start a small fire and drag it from the large pile would be all gone in a fews hrs if its all dry.

 

 

 

 

It is not the size it is that it is awfully tangled together as I mentioned. It is like a ball of computer wires with every branch grabbing another and rooted to the floor/larger pile.

 

No it is not dry by a long shot, where you living that you would expect it to be dry with all these storms we have had?

 

Getting the fire going would be least of my issues though, freeing from the pile is the major task.

[smallguy]

10 minutes ago, Paul in the woods said:

 

If hedgehogs are about they can use the pile throughout the year. Hibernating, resting during the day and nesting.

 

Same with the rodents!

 

Making several smaller fires in bits is probably better than making a massive wickerman style raging inferno anyway.

 

Will have another reccy and see.

Edited Thursday at 17:14 by smallguy