Need Help Trapping Rats, Please

[okallthis4eggs]

Tractor supply sells live catch traps that will work for rats if nothing else fits your need

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Very true zazouse, rat poison is dose related, people take it all the time it is usually called warfarin, or coumadin. Other poison are dose related as well...typically the rat eats it and takes it back to the nest and dies there, in its hole, then turns into fertilizer. I usually find the hole and drop the poison into it, that way nothing else gets it, that or let the snakes eat the rats, I'd say make sure your grains are secure but then the rats will just start eating your chickens feet off. To poison or not to poison...that's the question.

 

[JimnTer]

I'm a bit confused as to why you want to get rid of rats, but keep the squirrels. Squirrels will do all the same damage that a rat will, with the exception of tunneling. They steal feed, eggs and chicks just the same as rats do. Snap traps baited with peanut butter and cracked corn, then put where other animals can't get at it works for me.

 

[redhen]

No..no poison. I would never ever take that risk..
There are other ways to kill them off...that's why I'm here asking that question.

 

[redhen]

I'm a bit confused as to why you want to get rid of rats, but keep the squirrels. Squirrels will do all the same damage that a rat will, with the exception of tunneling. They steal feed, eggs and chicks just the same as rats do. Snap traps baited with peanut butter and cracked corn, then put where other animals can't get at it works for me.

I guess the squirrels just don't don't bother me. I know they'll eat some of the feed..etc...but that doesn't bother me.
Rats are vicious and will attack my animals and they carry disease..(I know..squirrels do too)
They also breed like crazy...
The rats have gotta go..its war.
I'm just trying to figure out a way to not harm any other critters while getting them..

 

[redhen]

I would use the snap traps..but I don't really have a place to put them where my other animals cant get into them..
Under the goose house...the chickens/pigs go there..and I cant block it off..because the house is set half on and half off a hill..(hard to describe)
What a PIA this is going to be..

 

[leadwolf1]

We have other critters around also. We set traps after everyone is locked in coops, kennels, house, etc. Set them after dark and my DH gets up at 4:30 and checks them. Picks them up for the day. Rats are more active at night and that's when you will catch more of them anyway.

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Never realized killing rats was so difficult. One shotgun, One shot, One of them gone. NEXT

 

[redhen]

We have other critters around also.  We set traps after everyone is locked in coops, kennels, house, etc.  Set them after dark and my DH gets up at 4:30 and checks them.  Picks them up for the day.  Rats are more active at night and that's when you will catch more of them anyway.

Good idea!! He can set them when he gets home from work at night..and pick them up in the am when he lets the animals out..
Thanks!

 

[redhen]

Never realized killing rats was so difficult. One shotgun, One shot, One of them gone. NEXT

I wish we had a gun It would have come in helpful several times..
We do foster care...so having a gun is kinda a big PIA..
We can have one...but so many hoops to jump through..plus its a liability with the type of kids we work with..