Anyone had success dealing with rats? [Archive]

View Full Version : Anyone had success dealing with rats?

Sean B

12-08-2009, 02:45 PM

Phred

12-08-2009, 06:32 PM

We have been trying to trap or poison some rats here. We've tried regular wooden snap-traps, the new plastic clamshell-looking kind, a have-a-heart, and three kinds of poison dispensers. Over the last couple years we've caught maybe four or five but lately (the last eight months or so) they won't touch the traps, even though they leave droppings around them. Also, does anyone know what kind of rats are around here (Sebas)? People have suggested barn-cats, which I'm sure would work but we have a couple of cat-hostile dogs.
I have had moderate success with this method: One 5 gallon paint bucket half filled with water. Place a dollop of peanut butter on a piece of bubble wrap or anything else that will float and set it on the water. Give the little beast an access to the top of the pail. The rat will climb in to get to the peanut butter but will not be able to climb out and thus will drown. It's not a great way to die but you don't have a poison-filled carcass or a bloody mess from a snap trap either. Rats are smart, they'll figure it out eventually so you will have to keep using the traps. Unfortunately you may have to resort to poison like I have had to do in the past. Good luck!:2cents:

Phred

12-08-2009, 06:39 PM

I have had moderate success with this method: One 5 gallon paint bucket half filled with water. Place a dollop of peanut butter on a piece of bubble wrap or anything else that will float and set it on the water. Give the little beast an access to the top of the pail. The rat will climb in to get to the peanut butter but will not be able to climb out and thus will drown. It's not a great way to die but you don't have a poison-filled carcass or a bloody mess from a snap trap either. Rats are smart, they'll figure it out eventually so you will have to keep using the traps. Unfortunately you may have to resort to poison like I have had to do in the past. Good luck!:2cents:
Anyone with any more suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm still waging my own seemingly endless mini Afghanistan in my basement and loathe using d-con. My surge isn't working too well.

photolite

12-08-2009, 08:10 PM

Cats have always been sure fire. If you can't work it out with your dogs, I'd recommend calling in a pest control. The longer they become entrenched (the rats) the more difficult to eradicate em.

Anyone with any more suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm still waging my own seemingly endless mini Afghanistan in my basement and loathe using d-con. My surge isn't working too well.

Sabrina

12-08-2009, 08:14 PM

The thing I've done is make sure you eliminate any food source they are attracted to, i.e. keep food well contained. Then make sure all holes are filled from outside to inside. One way to fill holes is first fill with steel wool (they can't bite through it, or it deters them) then fill in hole and steel wool w/ spray in foam insulation stuff (comes in a can). Do not place steel wool anywhere near an electrical outlet though, or where it could touch wires, as it can become a conductor, another kind of danger obviously. Then the traps we use if we hear scratching about from a hole we did'nt find yet, is the plastic traps that look and work pretty much like the wooden ones, but for some reason they are much better. Maybe they're better because they don't carry the human smell the same way? Then I put a piece of luscious Dog food dipped in peanut butter, an irresistible rat treat. Since there's no other food easy to get (it's all cleaned up and put away) they go for the bate! Hope this helps, and I still would love to hear other ideas!

I have had moderate success with this method: One 5 gallon paint bucket half filled with water. Place a dollop of peanut butter on a piece of bubble wrap or anything else that will float and set it on the water. Give the little beast an access to the top of the pail. The rat will climb in to get to the peanut butter but will not be able to climb out and thus will drown. It's not a great way to die but you don't have a poison-filled carcass or a bloody mess from a snap trap either. Rats are smart, they'll figure it out eventually so you will have to keep using the traps. Unfortunately you may have to resort to poison like I have had to do in the past. Good luck!:2cents:

hales

12-08-2009, 08:37 PM

I use regular a spring-type rat trap, baited with cheese or peanut butter. I've caught several rats of various kinds, sizes and colors.. (I live by a creek, which I think equals a freeway for rodents and other wild animals.. They come up through a hole around my kitchen drain and make loud gnawing noises, which I can not live with.. unfortunately I feel I have to draw the line and consider their intrusion "grounds for termination"

Maybe you can find a rat-unfriendly dog, like a terrier... ; )

Scott.

We have been trying to trap or poison some rats here. We've tried regular wooden snap-traps, the new plastic clamshell-looking kind, a have-a-heart, and three kinds of poison dispensers. Over the last couple years we've caught maybe four or five but lately (the last eight months or so) they won't touch the traps, even though they leave droppings around them. Also, does anyone know what kind of rats are around here (Sebas)? People have suggested barn-cats, which I'm sure would work but we have a couple of cat-hostile dogs.

Hotspring 44

12-08-2009, 08:52 PM

I use raisins in the good old fashion wood & steel Victor brand snap traps. I squish 2 raisins into the trigger (baiting area) sideways; not the whole rasin, just into the bent around metal part; kind of cutting the skin of the raisin, sort of of like a cookie cutter, only try not to cut the raisin all the way through both sides. Leave the raisins one in each side firmly stuck onto it. Almost always a good head shot. Rats are not bashful about human scent on the traps, so don't throw the trap away for that reason. They will go to a trap with fresh bait in it right over a fresh or rotting dead rat. Note: watch your fingers when setting the trap! Also if it is serious enough to consider hiring an exterminator, just be aware that they use poison, and cost allot compared to using poison yourself. if you choose to use poison the hardware stores carry it. use the green blocks. Some come in a small 1 gallon (aprox) sized plastic bucket & some come in flat rectangular plastic wrapped thin cardboard packages. Please take all precautions to limit the poison to the targeted pests (rats).

Mama Bear Design

12-08-2009, 09:04 PM

We bought a Rat Zapper - it basically electrocutes the rats, which the manufacturers allege is more humane and instantaneous than other methods. We had great success with it and haven't seen signs of another rat in 5 years:

The Rat Zapper: Low Guys (https://www.lowguys.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=lowguys&Product_Code=ratzapper&Category_Code=Pest_Control_Indoor)

Hotspring 44

12-08-2009, 10:41 PM

Interesting product! I found their website. they have a new & improved one that is different than the one that Mamabear Layout & Design linked to. it can be found here: What's the best way to get rid of rats? Rat Zapper! (https://www.ratzapper.com/) or here: Home rodent control: the fastest way to get rid of mice and rats, electric rat traps (https://www.ratzapper.com/zapper-ultra.cfm)
They have local addressees of places that sell them they have one place in Santa Rosa (Larkfield) listed. <link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CSH%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><style>  </style><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CSH%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><style>  </style> True Value of Larkfield# 8961-5
115 Lystra Ct.
Santa Rosa, CA 95403-1408
707-545-8380 <o:p></o:p>
Or you could buy them on line.

We bought a Rat Zapper - it basically electrocutes the rats, which the manufacturers allege is more humane and instantaneous than other methods. We had great success with it and haven't seen signs of another rat in 5 years:

The Rat Zapper: Low Guys (https://www.lowguys.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=lowguys&Product_Code=ratzapper&Category_Code=Pest_Control_Indoor)

Tars

12-08-2009, 11:15 PM

Cats have always been sure fire.

We have several barn cats, and lots of rats. Not many mice tho...

We have small rat terriers to whom the rats flip the ratfinger as they stroll by. The terriers are death on mice, moles, and gophers at least.

I haven't had any luck with either the clamshell or cage traps. No poison; too many other critters in the area, including birds, who may be poisoned as well. The rats don't like the sticky traps, and jump over them. The old fashioned wood/wire snap traps work fairly well, especially with younger rats. They need to be cleaned after each use, to get the dead rat smells off of them. I've been using some old-fashioned oily peanut butter for bait; it stinks good. rub that oil onto the trap.

We seem to have them under control in the house, at least. Haven't seen any signs of them indoors in awhile. I would not hesitate to spend money on pest control, as long as they don't use poison. For large infestations, I also remember hearing about a "rat-catcher", who has a pack of larger rat terriers. I remember reading an article about him. He removed a rat infestation which had caused an elementary school to be closed. I think I remember that he lives in Mendocino County.

Pointless Rat Factoid: Younger, smaller members of the crew, on sailing ships during the age of sail, used to catch rats in the hold, and sell them onboard, as fresh meat, during long voyages, when the saltpork was gone, and the fishing was bad. Urp.

Good luck with it!

Tars

12-08-2009, 11:23 PM

electric rat traps (https://www.ratzapper.com/zapper-ultra.cfm)

I saw those; I got one at Home Depot, made by Victor. Made in China, unfortunately. It's called an "electronic rat trap". Haven't set it up yet. But as with other types of traps, if it works, I'll wash it and re-scent it with peanut butter.

Imagery

12-09-2009, 06:15 PM

We have several barn cats, and lots of rats. Not many mice tho...

We have small rat terriers to whom the rats flip the ratfinger as they stroll by. The terriers are death on mice, moles, and gophers at least.

Perhaps I should hire out my cat - returned three times (to the Humane Society for attacking dogs) - to take care of the problem. He has no qualms about taking down even the largest rats - 1 lb. + was the largest I've seen him eating, as well as gophers, mice, lizards, the occasional bird, moles, and other pesky rodents.

parlyvous

12-09-2009, 10:33 PM

Perhaps I should hire out my cat - returned three times (to the Humane Society for attacking dogs) - to take care of the problem. He has no qualms about taking down even the largest rats - 1 lb. + was the largest I've seen him eating, as well as gophers, mice, lizards, the occasional bird, moles, and other pesky rodents.

"Returned THREE times to the Humane (HA!) Society?" Who was dragging your poor cat off to that hell hole?

Wow it is great to come on WaccoBB and read about the gleeful killing of rats.

Try and keep your home and area around it clean and perhaps you won't have a problem. Takes very little effort and then you won't have blood on your hands so to speak.

Rats were here before us and will probably be consuming human carcasses when we either overpopulate ourselves into starvation or some such idiotic human endeavor.

Keeping only dry trash in containers with lids and composting the rest and with 9 people on the property we have absolutely no rat problems.

There is no "humane" way to kill anything. Using that term is ludicrous.

Damn... drowning rats, electrocuting them...definitely not AR folks....ugh.

Imagery

12-10-2009, 04:19 AM

"Returned THREE times to the Humane (HA!) Society?" Who was dragging your poor cat off to that hell hole?

Try and keep your home and area around it clean and perhaps you won't have a problem. Takes very little effort and then you won't have blood on your hands so to speak.

Rats were here before us and will probably be consuming human carcasses when we either overpopulate ourselves into starvation or some such idiotic human endeavor.

I'd love to hear the reasoning behind your opinion of the Humane Society - a no kill shelter - from where both of my animals were adopted. He's a very happy, well-adjusted cat who does what comes instinctively - hunts rodents and other small animals. You can reply to me privately if you wish, so as not to clutter up this thread with the back and forth debate about the merits/drawbacks to this organization.

I'm curious about your conflicting answer regarding the rat problem, however. "Try to keep your home clean..." and yet you acknowledge that "Rats were here before us..." - which would indicate we invaded THEIR home. As far as clean and sanitary, my kitchen would pass a Health Department inspection with an "A" rating, but from time to time an errant mouse chooses to tempt fate - and the outcome is always the same. Not all critters come in solely for a food source - with the temperatures being what they are, some attempt to find shelter and warmth.

Sara S

12-10-2009, 05:37 AM

Since I started putting Bounce dryer sheets around all the openings to my house, the mice and rats have gone elsewhere; this is easy, cheap, non-murderous, and eliminates the disposal of dead bodies.

lisalove

12-10-2009, 10:14 AM

The helpful lady at Sebastopol Hardware recommended mothballs. They have been helpful. We still get rats, but many less and less often as well. I just buy a box maybe once a month and spread them about in the room where the rats enter the house as a deterrent. I have had no success with the snap traps. I have had success with a five-gallon bucket 1/4 full of water. You don't even need peanut butter in there - they just want a drink then they drown when they can't get out. I have rat poison but haven't been brave enough to open it yet. If you find anything else great, please post! We have a kitchen full of 100s of glass jars of food. The rats gnaw through plastic food storage containers and plastic spice lids. They drive me nuts.

Hotspring 44

12-10-2009, 11:53 AM

Lots of info here. Rat Management Guidelines--UC IPM (https://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74106.html)

bodegahead

12-10-2009, 09:17 PM

I feel pretty lucky, closest rats are a few hundred yards away in the rocks on the shoreline. We have a cat named Penguin who feels akin to all the local skunks especially the young ones. He spends most of his time outside and scratches the door for us to let him in. A few times he`s had a couple of skunk buddies he wanted to bring in with him, and I`ve seen them cuddling together on the deck at night. All in all they seem to live copasteticcally with the raccoons and even the garden mole seems free to reek havoc. Having to deal with rats on my own many times in my life, I feel so lucky to have my other animal friends keeping the rats at bay this time around.

Braggi

12-10-2009, 10:50 PM

As far as I know, we have two types of rats living around here, both brought over by Europeans, so, I think we were actually here before the rats, although, which is the greater curse to this land, we'd have to ask the locals.

I've had good luck with the Victor snap traps. Here's how I use 'em: I take a piece of two by four a few inches more than twice as long as a trap. I attach two traps, back to back, so each business end is pointing toward an end of the two by four. I use a couple of screws through the trap body into the board. Pre drill if you're afraid you'll crack the traps with the screw. Now bait generously with a gob of p-nut butter. Set the two traps and place the board against the wall where rats pass by. Also, set a couple of bricks or four by fours in a stack alongside the board so the rat has to head straight into the bait, spring the trap and have the bar come down across the back of the neck which kills them instantly. No struggling, no injury and no dragging the trap under something big and heavy. Best thing is, they don't get away. If they spring either trap, it gets them.

The problem with those traps, is they can pinch a rat without killing it if they go for the bait from the side or with their paw or from the wrong end. Then they pull away and they've learned to avoid those things.

Good luck.

-Jeff

PS. BTW, we have a local creature here commonly called a "pack rat" or "wood rat" which is not a true rat (they look and smell different) and which does not invade our homes and garages. They live in the forest. I killed one once by mistake and I still feel bad about it.

PPS. Don't use poison because it will kill hawks, owls, eagles, falcons, snakes, dogs or cats that happen upon the carcass. Even worse, it could die inside your wall.
Do kill your rats in a snap trap or drown them and toss the bodies up on the roof of your house. A raven or a turkey vulture will make quick work of it. That's natural and keeps the food in the food chain.

Hotspring 44

12-10-2009, 11:07 PM

FYI,there are native species here in CA too.the Wood Rat (https://www.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/mammals/neot-lep.html) and the Kangaroo rat (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo_rat) (desert region)

Range and Habitat
Wood rats are found throughout California and Baja California. The Dusky-footed Woodrat is found statewide in California (except in the desert regions and High Sierra) and in the northwestern region of the Baja California peninsula. The White-throated Woodrat is found in the extreme southwest desert region of California and the Valle de Mexicali in Baja California. The Desert Woodrat occurs in the southern half of California and the entire Baja California peninsula. In regions where there appears to be an overlap of range for these species, each is found usually in different habitats.
Natural History
Behavior: Woodrats are generally nocturnal. They frequently carry small items in their mouths, including typical campsite trash, and much of this is added to their houses.
The presence of woodrats is usually obvious by the large houses built from sticks, twigs, cacti, horse and cow manure, and other bits of plant materials and man-made debris. These houses are above ground, frequently beneath a rock outcrop, in a rock pile, partially under a shrub or within a large branching prickly pear cactus, or at the center of agave patches. These elaborate dwellings help protect the woodrat from seasonal temperature extremes (measurements show the inside temperature rarely exceeds 88 degrees) and predators, although rattlesnakes are known to share

As far as I know, we have two types of rats living around here, both brought over by Europeans, so, I think we were actually here before the rats, although, which is the greater curse to this land, we'd have to ask the locals.

I've had good luck with the Victor snap traps. Here's how I use 'em: I take a piece of two by four a few inches more than twice as long as a trap. I attach two traps, back to back, so each business end is pointing toward an end of the two by four. I use a couple of screws through the trap body into the board. Pre drill if you're afraid you'll crack the traps with the screw. Now bait generously with a gob of p-nut butter. Set the two traps and place the board against the wall where rats pass by. Also, set a couple of bricks or four by fours in a stack alongside the board so the rat has to head straight into the bait, spring the trap and have the bar come down across the back of the neck which kills them instantly. No struggling, no injury and no dragging the trap under something big and heavy. Best thing is, they don't get away. If they spring either trap, it gets them.

The problem with those traps, is they can pinch a rat without killing it if they go for the bait from the side or with their paw or from the wrong end. Then they pull away and they've learned to avoid those things.

Good luck.

-Jeff

PS. BTW, we have a local creature here commonly called a "pack rat" or "wood rat" which is not a true rat (they look and smell different) and which does not invade our homes and garages. They live in the forest. I killed one once by mistake and I still feel bad about it.

PPS. Don't use poison because it will kill hawks, owls, eagles, falcons, snakes, dogs or cats that happen upon the carcass. Even worse, it could die inside your wall.
Do kill your rats in a snap trap or drown them and toss the bodies up on the roof of your house. A raven or a turkey vulture will make quick work of it. That's natural and keeps the food in the food chain.