Rats here and there

[puckpuck1]

What is the real deal to keep rats and mice away in the 21st Century, tired of scams that don't work?

Rat commercial services want people to do a monthly subscribe program that cost money for seniors on fixed incomes.

People in the city limits freak out if someone uses a 22 to rid rats in the neighborhood.
Have tried rat poison but no more as predators get sick from eating a poisoned rat or mice, even our pets such as cats and dogs.
Tried Ultrasonic devices that don't working and sometimes attract more of the rats. Rats become accustomed to repeated sounds and pay little attention to them after a couple of days.
Rats are smart when they see their buddies done in by a traditional rat trap, learn to avoid them.
Have tried those herb plants and peppermint oil rat repellent works for a day then they pay little attention.

What really works to keep rats away from chickens, pets and our houses?
Is there real research in electronic devices or just plain scams of plain Chinese crap electronics?

Have tried cornbread meal and baking soda with mixed results?
Any thing really works, have heard a rotating combination of all above methods to keep those rats and mice off balance may work.
Is there a tried and true method that really works?
Thank you for your help.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

The only thing that works is removing their food source (putting all feed where they can’t get it), cleaning up the nasty little grease trails they leave and their greasy little nests, and making the coop/run inaccessible. I had a rat’s nest under my run and it took destroying the nest, putting hwc under the run and bringing in the food every. single. night. I also got a spill-proof feeder.

 

[Penpal]

While your yard provides food, there must be food somewhere else they are getting. Could be a compost, could be neighbors putting out garbage in plastic bags without being in a plastic or metal can.

 

[Perris]

Is there a tried and true method that really works?

Dogs. 'Terrier' indicates a breed that goes to ground in pursuit of its quarry, and several breeds of terrier were traditionally bred for and employed to control rats on farms. E.g. Jack Russell, Yorkshire, Westie. Small, tenacious, usually quick, and very territorial, they kill quickly by shaking.