Rat Traps or Cat?

[4 Georgia Hens]

Hi all!
So my family recently was attacked with rats. There was rodent waste EVERYWHERE, chewed up wires, boxes, balls, and a nest. When I was cleaning out my garage yesterday, I saw a rat run from a box, so it may come back. Anyway, I was wondering what would be best: keeping traps up, (FIY, I am using poison and snap traps. I have 4 kids, and chickens who LOVE the garage!) or getting a cat that would live outside and would take care of any leftover or new rats/mice. (Price isn't the biggest deal, my mother in law is willing to cover most expenses for Christmas) What do y'all think would be best? Thanks for any help!
Bye!
Rat thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/19134838/
Cat thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/19152884/

 

[21hens-incharge]

If you have them that bad I think getting an exterminator may be the best option.

At least have one come do an estimate. You will get a good idea of what YOU can do and what they recommend.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

We cleaned out the garage, and did our best to get rid of any hiding spaces made with junk.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Sorry your having those issues first do you keep food in the garage? poison can also be had by chickens and it would kill them but rats will eat them alive also that said if they are to large even a cat could be killed my advise would be lock the chickens out put the poison in then keep a outside cat to control from there better to get a kitten so birds can train it that they are not lunch

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Sorry your having those issues first do you keep food in the garage? poison can also be had by chickens and it would kill them but rats will eat them alive also that said if they are to large even a cat could be killed my advise would be lock the chickens out put the poison in then keep a outside cat to control from there better to get a kitten so birds can train it that they are not lunch

We put all of our chicken feed into airtight containers.

 

[junebuggena]

First things first, you need to figure out how they got inside and block it up. Then I'd discontinue using poison. Poison causes the rats to seek out water and they can find their way into the chicken run and die. Chickens will peck at the dead critter and end up poisoned. I prefer electronic traps. You can kill up to 50 critters on one set of batteries, and you don't risk pinching fingers

 

[pennyJo1960]

We put all of our chicken feed into airtight containers.

that works mine are in metal trash cans

 

[nminusyplusm]

We put all of our chicken feed into airtight containers.

Are they metal? Airtight isn't necessarily "rat-tight".

 

[lazy gardener]

I had the discussion with my vet about the issue of safely dealing with rats. She said that in all of her years of practice, she has never seen a cat or dog poisoned from eating a poisoned rat or mouse. She says that typically, by the time the rodent has ingested enough poison to do the job, the rodent is feeling pretty poorly, and will retreat to his burrow, where he will then die, out of reach of most pets. I would not put out the grain or pellet based baits which could then be easily transported to a rodent nest. Of course, the greater issue is the fear of a pet (or child) gaining access to the bait station. All of that being said, I am dealing with the same issue. I have yet to put out a bait station, but have every intention of doing so. My efforts with snap traps, and live traps are not producing results. All my feed is kept in rodent proof containers. If you see a rat, you definitely have an infestation. (I've seen several) Bait stations need to be constructed in such a way that a pet or child could not possibly gain access to the bait.

 

[pennyJo1960]

yes they are I have one for each coop but all food and water are inside the water is in covered buckets with nipples and I use upright pvc feeders less waste