I had one come out at just before dusk one afternoon. I was fishing babies out of their pen to lock them up and suddenly one of the hens started giving out that alarm growl that they do. I looked around and here was a female rat that had more than likely gotten into bait I had put out. it was staggering around trying to get to the water holder I had in the chick pen.
I read somewhere that some of the baits make them thirsty Idunno. I had a two foot long board that I had made a roost for the youngsters in the pen so I quickly ended the job the bait had started.
Here, mice start coming out at sunset. If I see any in the run when I close the pop doors up I set my bait holders out overnight. I'm amazed at how much bait disappears in 12 hours. I'm buying a box of Ramik about every 8 weeks here if not sooner. If the population gets out of hand I will see them running around inside the coop in broad daylight. That's when I say YIKES and step up the baiting.
This morning one of our littlest kitties named June Bug came trotting out of the kitchen with a mouse clamped firmly in her mouth. There will be a little extra of her favorite canned food in her bowl tonight.
@lovesfarms I had to stop feeding outside due to that happening. I know they say not to feed inside but the mice here are easier to control if I put the feed in the coop along with the rats that wander in.
Somebody said once that rats and mice are attracted more to a water source than food. I try to remember to dump the outside water bowl at night and refill in the morning. I think it does help.
I read somewhere that some of the baits make them thirsty Idunno. I had a two foot long board that I had made a roost for the youngsters in the pen so I quickly ended the job the bait had started.
Here, mice start coming out at sunset. If I see any in the run when I close the pop doors up I set my bait holders out overnight. I'm amazed at how much bait disappears in 12 hours. I'm buying a box of Ramik about every 8 weeks here if not sooner. If the population gets out of hand I will see them running around inside the coop in broad daylight. That's when I say YIKES and step up the baiting.
This morning one of our littlest kitties named June Bug came trotting out of the kitchen with a mouse clamped firmly in her mouth. There will be a little extra of her favorite canned food in her bowl tonight.
@lovesfarms I had to stop feeding outside due to that happening. I know they say not to feed inside but the mice here are easier to control if I put the feed in the coop along with the rats that wander in.
Somebody said once that rats and mice are attracted more to a water source than food. I try to remember to dump the outside water bowl at night and refill in the morning. I think it does help.
