Has anybody tried ultrasonic mouse/rat control in their coops?

[gourdlady]

It has been a number of years since the initial post so perhaps technology has improved. All I can say is about 5 months ago I installed an ultrasonic device in my big old barn. Occasionally I see some rodent activity but for the most part the large and I mean large rat population has vacated the premise. Used to be after feeding the chickens in about 5-10 minutes the feeders would be completely covered with rats....serious problem. Feeders were emptied immediately. Now rats are gone !! I can go out any time of day and there will be feed left in the feeders both in the chicken pen and my outdoor peafowl feeders. However that being said egg production is down (my chickens are all past their prime) and I am still testing to see if the ultrasonic device is to blame. It is still winter so it may be just the normal daylight production issue. Time will tell. For me the device worked like a charm and my feed bill has been greatly reduced.

 

[lovethebawk]

@ Gourdlady: Have you been able to discern whether the ultrasonic was the root of your egg laying issues?

We have just realized our neighbor has put A LOT of DCon rat poison all around his garage and yard. The rats are dying in our coop by the water feeder (typically). I'm looking for a way to keep them from coming into our yard (we have a dog that hunts them, and I'm worried about him getting poisoned too!) I don't want to sacrifice egg production (I only have 3 hens), so I'd love to know if you figured out whether it was disrupting your hens and their laying.

I read about Peppermint oil as a deterrent too, so I'm going to figure out whether hens are okay with it, and probably start with that.

Another question I have is whether I need to do a full cleaning if I find a rat inside? So far I have been, but three times in a week is getting frustrating with all of my other work/life duties.

Any ideas out there?? I appreciate any words of wisdom!

 

[gourdlady]

I think my laying issue was mostly age and season related as the hens did increase production with the onset of spring. I have noticed a few rats have returned. I am not sure if in the warm weather they are nesting elsewhere (neighbors ?) and possibly just entering my barn to feed or if they just get used to the ultrasonic device. So at this point I am not as impressed as I was initially. I have a large barn and probably need more devices for full coverage so that could also be the issue as well. I still think it was worth the initial investment because of the amount of the feed cost I was able to save.

Your dog certainly can be poisoned if he eats a poisoned rat. How you treat it depends on what type of poison he is using. If he is using the traditional warafin it might be wise to keep a bottle of K1 on hand.....he will still need to be seen by a vet ASAP. For more info
http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pe...t-poison-rodenticides-poisonous-to-dogs-cats/

I am an advocate of the deep bedding system (which probably also encouraged my rat problem) so I don't clean my coop but twice a year. Do dispose of any dead or dying rats you find of course but I wouldn't fret about cleaning.

I'm not sure what type of fencing you could use as rats can squeeze through amazingly tight places. You might try trapping them instead.

 

[John123john]

I try to use Pest Venator inside and it's work good. I buy one box, they are selling 4 pcs in one box. I set 2x and another 2x i set in my house. They with led lamp. Nice.

 

[Lonesome Dough]

in my work as a nuisance wildlife control operator, i see these frequently. It's pretty funny when I'm doing a rodent inspection or similar and the customer points out this gadget which keeps critters at bay. But all the while I'm thinking to myself; "If this darn thing works so well, why am I here and you're paying me to rid you home of these uninvited guests!"

I don't believe in them.

I'm a WCO also and see my share of this junk the most common being the gopher and mole sonic units you put in the ground. Folks take it from two experts the only real solution to wildlife problems is the physical removal of the offending animal. AND PLEASE DON'T USE MOTH BALLS FOR ANYTHING BUT MOTHS.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Don`t waste your money. Get some peppermint oil from a healthfood store and soak a cotton ball in it. Throw the cotton ball back in the area where the mice are...........Pop

But don't put the balls where the chickens can get them or they will die.

Are you SURE that peppermint oil is safer than rat poison?

 

[Sandra Verbreyt]

I have an electronic device and basically its useless. I see rats all the time and cats and mice etc. Im open to any ideas to help keep the rodents away from my chickens???

 

[John123john]

Yes, the ultrasonic pest repeller are good for today. But don't forgot about moth balls as natural repellent, citronella of course, it is important ingridient, that repel mice and other rodents and pests

 

[Lonesome Dough]

Yes, the ultrasonic pest repeller are good for today. But don't forgot about moth balls as natural repellent, citronella of course, it is important ingridient, that repel mice and other rodents and pests

ALL BAD INFORMATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do wildlife control for a living and all electronic repellers are useless, if an animal leaves after it's installed it's just coincidence. Moth balls are an internet myth all they repel are moths and if you use them for any other pests you are breaking the law by miss applying a chemical. Physical removal of the animal or exclusion with hardware cloth, cement or metal flashing are THE ONLY METHODS THAT WORK. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Makes me sick every time I read some armchair expert giving advice on a subject they know nothing about.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

... I have read in a guide to raising chickens that the electronic devices are useless.

Those devices are not useless.
Why they keep the people who make them in caviar, Champagne, Kobe beef, and BMWs.