We have a rat problem

[Rtmac]

I got rid of our bird feeders and haven't seen a rat since.

 

[solarae]

Ordered the Qwltra and hope they like sunflower seeds more than peanut butter and cheese that they won't touch. The strobe doesn't work, I think they dance under the disco light.

Use black oil sunflower seeds (used for birdseed), not the salted snack kind.

 

[solarae]

I got rid of our bird feeders and haven't seen a rat since.

We did too. Birdfeeders are a huge attractant. We also got a weight activated, automatic feeder for out chickens. Helps quite a bit.

 

[ctwo]

We did too. Birdfeeders are a huge attractant. We also got a weight activated, automatic feeder for out chickens. Helps quite a bit.

So someone put out a chicken coop and I planned to try that in the spring, but someone mentioned it will attract rats and mice, so I'll need to look into this.

And another good rodent solution is a bucket with some water and a releasing plank or rolling bridge across the top with the bait, and the rats fall in and drown.

YouTube Shawn Woods had a lot of solutions. This guy has studied and experimented, he has become one with the enemy... You can even find video where he literally roasts rat kabobs over an open fire eats their rat balls.

 

[Butch]

Speaking of rats, I was chatting with my favorite mechanic, Roberto Roselli, about car storage. He said rats were a big problem eating electrical wiring. He had a few solutions mostly involving poison.
What say the BARF hive?

 

[Rtmac]

I've seen a lot of rodent damaged cars over the years. I've raised hoods in the shop and had rats jump out quite a few times. It's interesting how they go for certain wires on certain cars. I've heard many different theories on why, all related to type of wire insulation used. They will go for these wires first (usually the small sensor or fuel injector wires), but if they're not scared away they'll branch out to all the wires, vacuum hoses and eventually the plastic parts.
The worst one i ever saw was an old couple from Rossmoor that came home from a long European vacation. They thought it was just a dead battery, had it towed-in, the rats had chewed every wire on that car... insurance company totalled it.
If you live in an area where rodent infestation is an issue and park outside, the best ways to avoid damage, imo...
1) A really good outdoor cat that does his job well (a very rare thing to find these days.)
2) Drive the car, or at least start the engine, at least every couple days to scare them off.

 

[solarae]

There's a thing called a RatMat for a long term parking solution.
Newer soy based wire insulation is a real problem.
Please don't use poison. It's counterproductive for one thing. Can harm natural predators plus rodent build resistance to it and it's dangerous for pets. Rats stash stuff so poison doesn't always stay in the pet proof location.

 

[GAJ]

I got rid of our bird feeders and haven't seen a rat since.

We did the exact same thing with the same results months ago.

Today one of our old "clients," an Acorn Woodpecker dive bombed me which they used to do regularly when I'd put peanuts out for them.

 

[Starpower]

I've used the "ratmat" for a few years (now called Grid Guard). It is flawless, nothing crosses it, albiet expensive. $1600 to circle my car, but not sprung for one for the truck.
However, the Owltra got the bugger on the 1st night. Really appreciate the tip!

 

[NATEWA]

Rats set up shop at a friend’s duck hunting “house”. All the duct work had to be replaced. Seal up any openings and set up glue/traditional spring loaded traps.

I get mice coming in through the doors. I place a glue trap by the corners. Catch 1 mouse every couple of weeks when it starts to get colder.

 

[NATEWA]

Natural Rat Repellents: 9 That Actually Work for a Pest-Free Home

Use these tips from rodent experts to rid your home of rats without introducing toxic chemicals. These repellants include oils, spices, and ultrasonic devices.

www.bhg.com