Rat problem in town

[Wildman]

So what kind of rats are they BB?

The first "Rat" I saw since living here was when we moved down to the ranch.  I swear that it's eyes glowed red as it slinked along a tree branch.  It looked just like the rats you see on tv that are down at the Wharf.  Not cute, like a pack rat, but sinister and mean looking.

[Wisher]

[betsylou]

I used to let my cats go outside, but one to many got eaten up by coyotes, so they are indoor cats now.  On occasion (too many occasions!), one little mouse will make the BIG mistake of squeezing under my garage door...granted I have 6 cats and they are all excellent 'mousers', anyway, my problem is they play with them until they are dead, and bring them to me, as to say "Mommy, why won't he play with me anymore"? 

This morning I felt my "Blue" kitty romping around my bed with me, a feeling that sickens me...and as I suspected, he had brought me yet another morning gift, another dead mouse...talk about YUCK!

[Chesslike]

Okay, here is the design I came up with. All I have to do is smear some peanut butter on the bottles and set them in place. I am going to hang mine from the fence because they use the fence for their freeway and my dog will not be able to lick the peanut butter off.

[Hillbillies]

That's it!  What about the homemade owl houses! 

[Wrightwood]

BB is going to be famous with the better rat trap made from Costco water bottles.

[KWBoy]

 

Okay, here is the design I came up with. All I have to do is smear some peanut butter on the bottles and set them in place. I am going to hang mine from the fence because they use the fence for their freeway and my dog will not be able to lick the peanut butter off.

BB is going to be famous with the better rat trap made from Costco water bottles.

Are thoes old cat litter buckets? if they are costco water bottles and old cat litter buckets boy Hillbilly must be rubbing off on you Bostonbob!

[Chesslike]

Boy FunkyG, nothing gets past you!

[TaiChiMe]

BostonBob, love the design!  Did it work?  if so, I think you should sell them...you have invented a better mouse (RAT) trap!  G   

[Chesslike]

Sorry to say, no, I did not catch a single one. I might have to get my money back from Costco or then again maybe our local rats do not like the expensive Kirkland organic peanut butter.

[Wrightwood]

Are the cat litter containers deep enough to hold enough water?

[Chesslike]

Are the cat litter containers deep enough to hold enough water?

Yes, they are probably 4 - 4.5 gallon buckets.

[Surfer_Dude]

BB,
Try poking the wires in the ground in a square over the bucket or securing them.  This way the wire stays put and only the middle spins. Then put sunflowerseeds in the water.  You may choose to put a thin sponge or corks over the water to enhance the illusion,..  Try it, you might get better luck. I also think you need more distance to the bottle so a smaller bottle or device will do.  Build a ramp to the bucke or hang it right near the rat run. 

I caught two since this posts started but I cheated and used the awful sticky trap.

"Build a better mouse trap and they will build a better mouse."
                                                                 Author unknown

[kew]

Question -Is this type of trap going to be attractive to our Gray Squirrel?

[Chesslike]

S_D, I don't think the rats have been around to test my design. I know they love peanut butter because I have caught them successfully in the snap traps. The peanut butter has not been touched since I have placed the new style traps out. Also, none of our flowers, vegetables or fruit have been bothered for a few days and I have not seen any rats in a certain cedar tree that they are always in at night. I don't think I am ready to modify the design until I know they have been to the new traps and they aren't being caught.

Kew, I have not seen any of our squirrels around the new traps and even if they did go near them, the squirrels are probably big enough so they would not fall in the water and even if they did fall in, the water is not deep enough for them to drown. I am not sure if that is what you were asking, but hopefully that answers your question.

[Nolena]

But the ground squirrels are no longer thirsty....

[ForestGal]

Mine are - no plants left.....

[Chesslike]

Update:

I now know that my trap works for mice. I took one down from the fence and placed it on the ground with a ramp last night. This morning there were two expired mice in it. As far as the rats go, they have either moved on or the trouble makers have all been killed, because they have not done any damage lately.

[makgirl]

[KWBoy]

Found another place where rats are going under the house! It is where the propane line goes under the house. I want to close it off and have stuff to close it but I dont want to close it up if there are rats under the house. Don't want to be under there some day and find a dead rat. Any way to get them out? I would send the dog under there but there are axles and two trailer tongues under there and a bunch of peirs.