In Hilo up Kaumana ... Yikes sounds like you really are having a major problem with rats. Won't the dogs go after the rats? Don't think your dogs would allow cats, huh?
I've seen, somewhere here, a rat/mouse trap ... 5 gallon or in the rat case a trash can, fill half way with water, put a board across the top with a string hanging off the center with bait. The idea is the rat climbs the can, walks the plank, reach for the bait & falls in, drowns. I use the spring loaded traps, use papaya for bait. That way I know it's dead!
I've read chickens will eat mice, not sure about rats. What color are you seeing, grey or brown. Think the brown ones get bigger than the grey, although I've caught some pretty big grey ones. The Victor traps are the better, catch more with them than the other ... I set 3 every night, it's been pretty quiet lately so giving it a rest. I also tie the traps down, & wrap the bait in pieces of panty hose nylon, that way they won't grab & run.
If you have a rock pile or stonewall around, that's where they're nesting. Coconut and palm trees are another of their favorite. Don't know how else to eradicate them, mongoose were introduced to manage the rats but someone didn't do their homework ... Rats come out at night, Mongoose hunts during the day
I've seen, somewhere here, a rat/mouse trap ... 5 gallon or in the rat case a trash can, fill half way with water, put a board across the top with a string hanging off the center with bait. The idea is the rat climbs the can, walks the plank, reach for the bait & falls in, drowns. I use the spring loaded traps, use papaya for bait. That way I know it's dead!
I've read chickens will eat mice, not sure about rats. What color are you seeing, grey or brown. Think the brown ones get bigger than the grey, although I've caught some pretty big grey ones. The Victor traps are the better, catch more with them than the other ... I set 3 every night, it's been pretty quiet lately so giving it a rest. I also tie the traps down, & wrap the bait in pieces of panty hose nylon, that way they won't grab & run.
If you have a rock pile or stonewall around, that's where they're nesting. Coconut and palm trees are another of their favorite. Don't know how else to eradicate them, mongoose were introduced to manage the rats but someone didn't do their homework ... Rats come out at night, Mongoose hunts during the day
