I was horrified to discover rats in our garden. I rang Environmental Health and they put poison down twice over the last fortnight but I am still seeing them. My neighbours are also going to get the council round to do the same on their property. Has anyone had the same problem? if so, how long did it take to get rid of them?

lion poo or ferret poo, you can get it from gardeners places

Air rifle...I keep one handy now 'cos I've got 'visitors' as well - definitely on the increase since all the rain arrived.
Last week one of the little buggers walked around the (outside) window ledge on our conservatory...talk about couldn't-care-less attitude - if it could've stuck two fingers up, it would've done.
Shot off as soon as I went out, of course, and I'm standing there looking at where it had scarpered to, when....bump....bump.....
Turned around in time to see two more, jumping/falling off the conservatory roof and clambering down a very convenient clematis.
Have since set traps too, but seem only to catch mice - 8 in 3 evenings so far.
Can't put poison down 'cos of the dogs....and they're as bloody useless as me with the air rifle....

Oh...and that trap I mentioned?
The "Big Cheese" rat trap...£4.99 from all good garden centres.
Don't bother....the plastic hook has just snapped clean off.
9 days old....

Air rifle...I keep one handy now 'cos I've got 'visitors' as well

Darn right. Letting them die of high velocity lead poisoning is far preferable to having the wretched little disease carriers roaming scot free.