How to stop rats - Page 3

bower · June 5, 2017

I think tomatoes are especially attractive to rats. Never had a problem with rats here, but last year grew a lot of outdoor tomatoes and ended up pulling down a lot of green fruit into the compost that had no chance of ripening. Not long after two ravens came along and sat up in a tree above that compost pile, hooting and hollering and calling down to the dirt. I went to look and here is a hole for a burrow, right into that compost pile. Friend's advice was to flatten down or spread the compost pile which I did several times until the hole stopped showing up. ... but then another hole appeared in a second compost pile - this was older so I did spread it right down so there was no place to make a hotel.
I saw no telltale tracks in the snow (dragging tail track a dead giveaway for rat) and thought the problem was solved. Then in late winter, surprise surprise, here is a burrow hole on the edge of my winter compost. The two ravens turned up again to hoot and howl about it. So... I found some old trail mix that was left here by visitors, and I took it out and poured the works over top of the pile to encourage those ravens to come down and feed. And I kept putting out scraps for them, so when the pile started to thaw a bit they dug down deeper and afaik, they dug down into the nest and ate the little ones.

Problem solved... for now.
I am happy to befriend this young pair of ravens. Now when they see me coming they say friendly things. One of them was gathering straw in the yard for their nest. They are beautiful birds.... and they do hate rats and squirrels.

dmforcier · June 5, 2017

Good story. I had no idea of the enmity of ravens for rats and squirrels, but it makes sense - they are threats to the ravens' nests.

Dewayne mater · June 5, 2017

Pretty cool, but, that leaves you with the killing to do by hand I guess? At least the snap traps are quick and do the deed for you.

I've thought about the mouser option, but, am on the fence. In spite of living in Dallas suburbia, we have had a rash of small animals disappearing to a combination of bob cats and coyotes. They don't seem to bother with rats because the rabbits have bread like rabbits these last couple of years and are keeping them well fed (and small domestic animals make an easy mark).

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeuspaul

You have to be careful with snap traps as they often kill birds, lizards and others. I stopped using them except under the hood of my car and in the garage where I have never had an unwanted kill.

Now I use the Atomic Barbie Rat Trap https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...A2RAG6KSLZNX91 I have caught more rats and mice with this than any other trap. It is very sensitive and will catch the smallest mouse. I have also caught squirrels, lizards, birds and snails with this thing. Just let the critter go if you don't want to send it to a better place.

The rat trap has a small mesh so mice can't get in and out to steal the bait.

Worth1 · June 5, 2017

You could send them to me and I would turn them loose at the state capitol.
That way they would be amongst their own kind.
Worth

zeuspaul · June 5, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dewayne mater

Pretty cool, but, that leaves you with the killing to do by hand I guess? At least the snap traps are quick and do the deed for you.

I've thought about the mouser option, but, am on the fence. In spite of living in Dallas suburbia, we have had a rash of small animals disappearing to a combination of bob cats and coyotes. They don't seem to bother with rats because the rabbits have bread like rabbits these last couple of years and are keeping them well fed (and small domestic animals make an easy mark).

Unfortunate but true. They go for a short swim. It is the price you pay for saving the other critters.

Just today I caught a San Diego Tiger Whiptail lizard. http://www.californiaherps.com/lizar...egerisd508.jpg It was about nine inches long. As I approached the trap I spotted its friend or mate keeping it company just outside the trap. I set it free and they scurried off together.

We also have some fine looking Granite Spiny lizards. A few years ago I smashed one in a snap trap baited with cheese. Truly a sad day.

kurt · June 6, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by bower

I think tomatoes are especially attractive to rats. Never had a problem with rats here, but last year grew a lot of outdoor tomatoes and ended up pulling down a lot of green fruit into the compost that had no chance of ripening. Not long after two ravens came along and sat up in a tree above that compost pile, hooting and hollering and calling down to the dirt. I went to look and here is a hole for a burrow, right into that compost pile. Friend's advice was to flatten down or spread the compost pile which I did several times until the hole stopped showing up. ... but then another hole
appeared in a second compost pile - this was older so I did spread it right down so there was no place to make a hotel.
I saw no telltale tracks in the snow (dragging tail track a dead giveaway for rat) and thought the problem was solved. Then in late winter, surprise surprise, here is a burrow hole on the edge of my winter compost. The two ravens turned up again to hoot and howl about it. So... I found some old trail mix that was left here by visitors, and I took it out and poured the works over top of the pile to encourage those ravens to come down and feed. And I kept putting out scraps for them, so when the pile started to thaw a bit they dug down deeper and afaik, they dug down into the nest and ate the little ones.

Problem solved... for now.
I am happy to befriend this young pair of ravens. Now when they see me coming they say friendly things. One of them was gathering straw in the yard for their nest. They are beautiful birds.... and they do hate rats and squirrels.

Ravens seem to show up in history,literature,bibles.There was some movement/cult by some guy Carlos Castinida(maybe)back in my day.Sumthin about transportation via Ravens eyes.Peyote maybe.We have resident ravens ,two pair.Do not leave anything shiny out,they do hoard items.They are constantly fussing with those hooded blue birds(nasty egg robbers)Ravens have been known to vocaleeze with humans,they live a long time,and have been known to follow your car to the park.

dmforcier · June 6, 2017

Crows (and presumably their close relatives ravens) have been shown to recognize individual human faces. Make a friend and you have a long-loved friend.

GrowingCoastal · June 6, 2017

The neighbourhood crows know me when the dog is with me and sometimes without. I try to remember to keep peanuts in my pocket.

June 5, 2017	#32
dmforcier Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,825	Good story. I had no idea of the enmity of ravens for rats and squirrels, but it makes sense - they are threats to the ravens' nests. __________________ Stupidity got us into this mess. Why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers

June 6, 2017	#37
dmforcier Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,825	Crows (and presumably their close relatives ravens) have been shown to recognize individual human faces. Make a friend and you have a long-loved friend. __________________ Stupidity got us into this mess. Why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers

June 5, 2017	#31
bower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 6,794	I think tomatoes are especially attractive to rats. Never had a problem with rats here, but last year grew a lot of outdoor tomatoes and ended up pulling down a lot of green fruit into the compost that had no chance of ripening. Not long after two ravens came along and sat up in a tree above that compost pile, hooting and hollering and calling down to the dirt. I went to look and here is a hole for a burrow, right into that compost pile. Friend's advice was to flatten down or spread the compost pile which I did several times until the hole stopped showing up. ... but then another hole appeared in a second compost pile - this was older so I did spread it right down so there was no place to make a hotel. I saw no telltale tracks in the snow (dragging tail track a dead giveaway for rat) and thought the problem was solved. Then in late winter, surprise surprise, here is a burrow hole on the edge of my winter compost. The two ravens turned up again to hoot and howl about it. So... I found some old trail mix that was left here by visitors, and I took it out and poured the works over top of the pile to encourage those ravens to come down and feed. And I kept putting out scraps for them, so when the pile started to thaw a bit they dug down deeper and afaik, they dug down into the nest and ate the little ones. Problem solved... for now. I am happy to befriend this young pair of ravens. Now when they see me coming they say friendly things. One of them was gathering straw in the yard for their nest. They are beautiful birds.... and they do hate rats and squirrels.

June 5, 2017	#34
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	You could send them to me and I would turn them loose at the state capitol. That way they would be amongst their own kind. Worth

June 6, 2017	#38
GrowingCoastal Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Vancouver Island Canada BC Posts: 1,253	The neighbourhood crows know me when the dog is with me and sometimes without. I try to remember to keep peanuts in my pocket.