do rats cause problems?

[shaggy]

Quote:
my cat's specialty is wood roaches and moths ... my dogs are better about catching and killing rats

 

[BorderKelpie]

Make sure your dogs are kept current on their vaccines. I'm not worried about rabies, but rats carry leptospirosis (causes renal failure). Humans can contract that as well. It is usually spread through their urine and since rats don't 'housetrain,' you have a vehicle for disease transmission everywhere the rats go. Also, yes, bubonic plague is carried by the rat flea, keep your dogs current on flea prevention as well. Best wishes to you.

 

[Rolsjo]

Yup, cats are the best! Preferably a cat whose mother is a mouser. She will likely have taught her kittens how to hunt. Check around at local farms, they usually always have kittens available.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Do they cause problems? YES!

Dig holes, steal and eat chicks and eggs. They do carry disease and parasites. They also attract predators, such as fox, cat, snakes, and birds of prey.

I suggest putting out poison bait and keeping your chooks locked up tight until the poison is completely eaten. Then for the next few days, keep an eye out for dead and dying rats and dispose of them properly. After all that is said and done, you need to deworm ALL your animals.

Rats carry many of the same worms that affect dogs, cats, and chickens. Rats run through and defacate in feed and water, thus creating a world of infestation.

In between throwing rat poison out, I deworm my flock with ivomec in their drinking water. This way, not only are the chickens being dewormed but the rats that share their space and water.

-Kim

 

[purr]

black tape a flashlight to a 22 rifle and go out after dark and have a blast.(litterally).

 

[BlackBart]

As already mentioned, feed in metal garbage cans is a really good idea.

No wild bird feeders, nothing laying on the ground that rats can hide under. If you have a dog, clean up after it and dispose of the feces because rats will eat that too.
They will eat out of your compost box and eat out of your vegetable garden.
When the nights start getting cooler they will try to find a way into your house for the winter, or they will move into a un-used vehicle.
They defacate and urinate everywhere! They use urine as trail markers.

My neighbour uses a air gun or rat bait to kill them and has great luck with rat traps.
He has some very expensive Hawks and Falcons.