RATS!

[Al Gerhart]

I was actually shocked I got the last one! I check the camera every so often and still haven't seen any rats after months. I did see a mouse, so I have to set a trap for her.

Mine were established when I moved here. From the get-go, I had opted to keep my animal feed in metal bins garbage bins (Tractor Supply employee insisted I could get by with Brute plastic, but I was adamant) and my chickens clean up all their food by evening. I'm careful not to spill feed (dog or chicken) and try to dish feed at hours that, if there is a spill my animals eat it.

It's been months and I haven't seen any rats and my dogs are not as keen to go under the house when they used to break under daily.

I'm still taking proactive measures to keep any new ones from establishing. One step is skirting the house with pavers; it won't keep them out, but it makes it more difficult. I'm trying to figure what's best to do under the house to keep them from going up through the old "tunnels" and into the attic again.

What other proactive measures would you recommend? I do NOT want to give them a chance to re-establish.

You are doing a good job on the feed but that is one of the four attractants. Feed, water, nesting material to be shredded, and safety. If one is present, you will not keep the rodents out if they are needing one of the four items. If none of the attractants are present, it doesn't take much to convince them to go elsewhere. Mothballs will work if there is no reason for a rodent to hang around.

I'd encourage the dogs to go under the house often. That removes the safety attractant. Make sure any insulation is blocked off with 1/4" hardware cloth.

 

[WishingStar]

I'd encourage the dogs to go under the house often. That removes the safety attractant.

I tried that, but all they were destroying the insulation because it's held up with flimsy netting.

Make sure any insulation is blocked off with 1/4" hardware cloth.

That was my thought and I mentioned it to my husband. It's going to be costly and time consuming (crawl space is pretty short), but worth it in the long run to keep out the rats.

Once the insulation is secured, dogs could be allowed to go under with supervision to stop problematic digging.