Rat Problem

[Bob 1313]

Ya, that is a good point, maybe the set it up wrong. It think it is a good buy, I was confused too, I was wondering why they would do that, can they sense the electricity? I think that electric trap is a great idea!

Victor suggests that you set them up for a few days with bait so the varmints get used to having a free lunch and then turn them on. We have never done that and even use generic peanut butter. Obviously they aren't connasours.

 

[Weeg]

That makes sense, maybe the buyers complaining didn't do that. That is really smart.

Victor suggests that you set them up for a few days with bait so the varmints get used to having a free lunch and then turn them on. We have never done that and even use generic peanut butter. Obviously they aren't connasours.

 

[CoBeeChicks]

Advice please?

My chicken run is invaded with rats. I shot one with my pellet gun ( and I'm almost 100% sure it died ) and trapped one with my old rat trap ( 100% dead, sorry no pics) There are a lot of rat holes and stuff where they are happily eating left over chicken food in my run EVERY NIGHT. The security like I have (which I originally put up to alert me when a raccoon came) comes on like....20 times per night! I'm looking for advice, not a fight on different traps that people use, etc. Your ideas are welcome, but please NO arguing!

I had a huge rat problems. I did everything that the article suggested before even having read it. I used EVERY kind of traps that I could get me hands on, snap trap, electric trap, rolling log, dive board, Haveaheart, even glue traps, and many more. Some worked once and NEVER again. They learn very fast what a trap does and avoid it. So I resorted to poison, and they never touched it. Meanwhile my chickens were covered by mites to the point that one of them died before I realized they had mites. I used Permethrin, Sevin, and another expensive product, I forget the name, They'd be OK for a while and mites would show up again. This went on for months. The mites were getting inside too. I was at the end of my rope, then, for some reason, they stated eating the poison and they disappeared so did the mites. Occasionally one or two rats would show up and eat the poison and I would be free of rats for weeks. Until they stopped eating the poison again. But the nature helped. A wonderful possum moved into my wood shed and then the rats disappeared for good. It only comes out at nights when the chickens are safe in their coop and I guess eats the rats or their babies. So my rat problem was solved!!

 

[Weeg]

I had a huge rat problems. I did everything that the article suggested before even having read it. I used EVERY kind of traps that I could get me hands on, snap trap, electric trap, rolling log, dive board, Haveaheart, even glue traps, and many more. Some worked once and NEVER again. They learn very fast what a trap does and avoid it. So I resorted to poison, and they never touched it. Meanwhile my chickens were covered by mites to the point that one of them died before I realized they had mites. I used Permethrin, Sevin, and another expensive product, I forget the name, They'd be OK for a while and mites would show up again. This went on for months. The mites were getting inside too. I was at the end of my rope, then, for some reason, they stated eating the poison and they disappeared so did the mites. Occasionally one or two rats would show up and eat the poison and I would be free of rats for weeks. Until they stopped eating the poison again. But the nature helped. A wonderful possum moved into my wood shed and then the rats disappeared for good. It only comes out at nights when the chickens are safe in their coop and I guess eats the rats or their babies. So my rat problem was solved!!

I truly hate to use poison, but like you said, you tried everything. Did you use bait boxes so nothing else could get to it? Its great that you got rid of your rats, bravo! I encourage you @cluckmecoop7 to only use poison as a last resort. Most poisons will do mare harm then good.

 

[inkydew]

Advice please?

My chicken run is invaded with rats. I shot one with my pellet gun ( and I'm almost 100% sure it died ) and trapped one with my old rat trap ( 100% dead, sorry no pics) There are a lot of rat holes and stuff where they are happily eating left over chicken food in my run EVERY NIGHT. The security like I have (which I originally put up to alert me when a raccoon came) comes on like....20 times per night! I'm looking for advice, not a fight on different traps that people use, etc. Your ideas are welcome, but please NO arguing!

I have resorted to feeding my chickens inside their enclosed coop in the morning. I have a coop with half inch hard wire that completely encloses the coop which sets 3 feet off the ground. This is the only way to prevent rats from getting in and foraging. I have a big rat problem also but I live in the country in Southern Cal. And on a more positive note, I have gotten pretty good with my BB gun and laser scope!

 

[Bob 1313]

Just buy a Grandpa's feeder. They work like a charm. Don't waste your time and energy on cats, traps, voodoo spells or whatever. I have one and everyone I know to whom I've recommended one has reported back the same result - no more rats!

One problem for us is that we would need nine of them. Much, much cheaper to buy a few of the Victor traps and move them around as needed.

 

[Weeg]

One problem for us is that we would need nine of them. Much, much cheaper to buy a few of the Victor traps and move them around as needed.

Yes, the traps work great, but if you have a big problem, not just a few rats like in this article, then you need to cut off food supply, and water, trap them, and give them every reason why they shouldn't come back.

 

[WindingRoad]

I had a huge rat problems. I did everything that the article suggested before even having read it. I used EVERY kind of traps that I could get me hands on, snap trap, electric trap, rolling log, dive board, Haveaheart, even glue traps, and many more. Some worked once and NEVER again. They learn very fast what a trap does and avoid it. So I resorted to poison, and they never touched it. Meanwhile my chickens were covered by mites to the point that one of them died before I realized they had mites. I used Permethrin, Sevin, and another expensive product, I forget the name, They'd be OK for a while and mites would show up again. This went on for months. The mites were getting inside too. I was at the end of my rope, then, for some reason, they stated eating the poison and they disappeared so did the mites. Occasionally one or two rats would show up and eat the poison and I would be free of rats for weeks. Until they stopped eating the poison again. But the nature helped. A wonderful possum moved into my wood shed and then the rats disappeared for good. It only comes out at nights when the chickens are safe in their coop and I guess eats the rats or their babies. So my rat problem was solved!!

Where can I get one of these possums?

 

[Weeg]

Where can I get one of these possums?

Lol! A cat is a great second to a possum! Siamese are best!

 

[WindingRoad]

Advice please?

My chicken run is invaded with rats. I shot one with my pellet gun ( and I'm almost 100% sure it died ) and trapped one with my old rat trap ( 100% dead, sorry no pics) There are a lot of rat holes and stuff where they are happily eating left over chicken food in my run EVERY NIGHT. The security like I have (which I originally put up to alert me when a raccoon came) comes on like....20 times per night! I'm looking for advice, not a fight on different traps that people use, etc. Your ideas are welcome, but please NO arguing!

I think someone should invent rat birth control. Permanent sterilization.