Rats!

[Dennis Wolfe]

I am having problems with rats in my garden eating tomatoes, peppers, and squash. Also, I am seeing them digging in my compost where I have buried table scraps. Any ideas how to get rid of theses pests!

[ZIPPER]

Dennis Wolfe wrote: I am having problems with rats in my garden eating tomatoes, peppers, and squash. Also, I am seeing them digging in my compost where I have buried table scraps. Any ideas how to get rid of theses pests!

Dennis,

I did a 'Search', next to the 'FAQ' at the top, for "Traps" and found the one I was looking for.

Go to Farm and Ranch forum and look for a post by 'sid' titled "The ULTAMATE rat trap."

If you use the 'Search' program you can find many other suggestions on traps that may help you out.

Good luck and let us know how things go for you.

Side Note: Since I don't know where you live, per your profile, I can't suggest you use a pellet gun. It might do well if you could fill it in a little bit to give us a hint on how to be of help.

[cynthiac]

Just some tips I've gathered on the net.

Rats seem to hate peppermint. Try using peppermint oil on cloths.

Also they seem to detest cat nip. Also Sage. Don't know if that's true though. :roll:

I just saw one this week for the first time ever in my garden. It chewed into three of my big juicy Roma tomatoes.
Just this evening I scattered hot sauce, red pepper flakes and some mint all around the tomatoes. I also moved my mint plant (in it's own container) near the tomatoes. Keep in mind that mint can spread like crazy. So if you don't want in to grow there then do NOT plant it in the dirt or spread cuttings. I may throw some garlic out there tomorrow too.


http://www.moscowfoodcoop.com/archive/pet_control.html
RATS AND MICE
Mint is a great deterrent for these critters. Sprinkle it everywhere, either dried or fresh. Have cats! Don't mulch perennials until after a few frosts so they don't find a nice cozy home there. Encourage snakes and owls to stay nearby, especially garter snakes. We have a really nice female one who has lots of babies every year so we don't have this critter problem. Plant barriers of perennial sweet peas. Daffodils, wood hyacinths, and grape hyacinths are natural repellants.

I've also read that some people mix cayenne pepper and vaseline. Then smear it all over around the plants.

I'm trying the nice way right now. Guess I'll see if it works. I've only "seen" one rat so far. I may have to get nasty about this eventually. :roll: I hope not. I'm a bit of a whimp when it comes to killing anything besides some bugs.

[cynthiac]

I forgot to add:

Don't get ultrasonic-sound devices!! These machines produce an irritating high-pitched sound (audible only to the rodents) that will supposedly keep them away (and may in the short term), but the pests will eventually become accustomed to the noise and invade a shelter rich in food anyway. So don't waste your money.

[cynthiac]

Last post I swear! :lol: :lol:

I forgot one more thing. Regarding your compost pile.
Suggestions for Bins:

Keep a lid on the compost, and securely fasten it
If rats are burrowing under your bin, stand it on some ¼ inch strong wire mesh.
If rats have gnawed into a plastic bin, try reinforcing all sides plus top and bottom with ¼ inch strong wire mesh.
http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/ratsincompost.htm

I put wire over the top of mine. I don't know how your pile or bin is shaped though. I'll probally put extra onion and etc. on top of mine tomorrow too.

***********************************************
Also :
Inappropriate food scraps may have been added: meat,fat, bones or other animal by-products. Avoid adding such material; use a rodent-resistant bin with a top, bottom and sides. Bury non-fatty kitchen by-products 8”-12” deep in the pile.
*******
As far as rodents nesting in your compost. It does happen. I read that if you don't keep it to dry then are less likely to "move in".

O.k. there. I'm done.
Let me know if you try any certain things and what works for you. I only have one critter at the moment, that I know of. So I'm very irritated but not quite over the edge yet. He better hope he backs off my tomatoes! :twisted:

[Billusa99]

And once a rat is trapped, where does one release it... perhaps at the lake for others to enjoy??

I'm not meaning to be cute or fascetious, but rats spread disease, are major pests and mutiply like crazy. Using something to keep them out of your yard means they go next door or down the block... problem still not solved all around.

Those little paper bags of poison that they chew threw work exceedingly well when you follow the directions. You can immediately tell if they have been working each day.

Just make sure that, if you have kids, you let them know what not to touch. Squirrels, etc. will not be bothered, as they are not attracted.

No flames please (I know it's not 'organic')... I will not respond back to those arguing such a point.

[cynthiac]

No problem Bill.

I have no choice with traps or poison though, due the fact that my dog roots around everywhere, is nosey, and would just assume eat ANTHING in the yard. Last year he was the one after my tomatoes. :lol:

To bad he just can't chase off the rat. Then we'd all be happy. :lol:

The disease issue may come up. Due to the fact, we have problems with rabies in the summer, in this area (mainly skunks). So I may have to turn to more drastic measures if he returns. I do see the seriousness of that. :wink:

[senegaltictac]

Clumping cat litter is sometimes good. Rats eat the clay for the minerals and when it reaches the liquid in their stomachs it clumps and kills them.

[funnyfarmtx]

I'm new, but opinionated - ha! First, on poisoning rats -- cats, dogs and other animals can find them, eat them, and become ill and/or die -- do you really want that side effect? Second, we live out in the woods with thousands of critters, and the only rats and mice we see are the dead ones my cats bring in to show off, so I consider cats the first and best line of defense. There are also dog breeds who "specialize" in rat killing, i.e. rat terriers -- refer to a good book on dog breeds or check the net. Trapping and releasing, in my book, is waaaaay unfair to your fellow man -- killing them is the only "fair" thing to do. What's wrong with the tried and true rat trap? Or organics that will kill them -- perhaps the cat litter? My best advice, tho, unless you're allergic, is adopt yourself a couple of "street cats" -- they're aMAZing hunters, overpopulated, and you can do a good deed while you solve your problem! Good luck!

[SB]

I've got rats in my garage (some of my organic mixtures attracted them) and one of my dogs found a baby rat in the yard the other night. If I use peppermint oil in the garage will it attract ants? I'm also wondering if I use peppermint oil on cloths in and around the pompus grass in my back yard if I'll have to buy gallons of it.

Thanks,
SB

[Billusa99]

Wow... this topic resurfaces a year later!

I have seen them here too, for the first time since summer of 2002. They chewed through the foam that I used to plug two holes in two foundation vents... yikes!

I stand by the poison bait advice I gave a year ago if you don't have a yard cat. Follow the directions. They are filthy, disease spreading, disgusting prolific breeders. 6 of the bait bags I left out over the last week are now empty... they are eating and they are dying... somewhere.

Anything else simply sends them next door till you stop sending them next door. Then what??

Good luck!

[Richard Spitzer]

There is a new totally safe control available. I do not know how well it works. It is called Rode-trol. It is for rats and ground squirrels. The ingredients read like an organic fertilizer. It contains nothing but molasses, corn and the active ingredient is corn oil. Rodents supposedly have a unique water absorption system and this products disrupts their water absorption system and the rodent becomes lethargic, falls into a coma and dies. Their website is rodetrol.com.
Sounds like a great product if it works.
Richard Spitzer

[SB]

Thank you for the info. I checked out their website, it definitely sounds like an option. One of my biggest concerns is the effect on my dogs if they come across a dead rat. As far as I know they have not been interested eating in dead animals (we've had a couple of dead birds through the years).

SB

[Mr. Clean]

This issue is something of a conundrum for city/suburban dwellers. I agree completely with Billusa99 regarding the disease and parasite ridden nature of the rats. Add to that concern the damage the rats can inflict on your home, they really have no place in my environment. While those in the more rural areas can count on various raptors, snakes, or other wildlife to help control the population we urban folks have to rely on other devices. We have cats in our neighborhood, but often domestic cats cannot be relied on to be "mousers". Besides if the vermin is diseased, who would want their pet to get a hold of one.

I like the idea of the old fashioned spring type traps, as I like to know that the interloper is dead rather than wondering if it died and where. I question the effectiveness of these traps when used outdoors in the elements. Luckily our pet is kept indoors and when she goes outside, she is supervised so I don't worry about her getting a poisoned one. For those who let their cats wander the neighborhood without control, they will do so at their own peril.

I will be interested in hearing reports back from anyone who has used the Rode-trol product as introduced by Richard Spitzer.

[Billusa99]

SB wrote: Thank you for the info. I checked out their website, it definitely sounds like an option. One of my biggest concerns is the effect on my dogs if they come across a dead rat. As far as I know they have not been interested eating in dead animals (we've had a couple of dead birds through the years).SB

Well, my old border collie -- may he rest in peace -- used to love rolling in dead gophers, and I always knew when he did!

But this stuff looks real interesting, and I'm also tired of trapping squirrels and relocating them to White Rock Park. The only thing more prolific in M-Streets than squirrels is the damage they do. But, I'm not going to go there here so please save your flames.

If you Google 'Rode-trol' you will get pages of links and a lot of organic mail order sources I have never heard of before. Cheapest I saw is $15 + UPS for a 3lb box. I'll report back in 2 weeks.