Rats!

[NorthwoodsLife]

So, there is a fly in the ointment, or just simply rats in the garage. This is not a political allegory.

In the garage of property that I own in California has what seems to be a Roof Rat infestation. The garage doubles as a pantry. These buggers are eating Good!

Anyway,
I talked to my local Orkin technician, and he suggested sticky traps with bird feed sprinkled on top.

So, 3 rats were caught using that method. 2 adults and one teenager rat.

It's not enough. Other than a complete removal of all items in the garage, I am at a loss.

Any advice from seasoned rat-killing-farmers would be appreciated.

I'm thinking a night vision scope on an accurate pellet rifle is the next step. And spending a few nites in a garage. Which might be fun. Or definitely not.

Or running a small engine in the garage for a couple hours with the doors closed.

 

[jimh406]

Look at the Shawn Woods YouTube videos. He has a lot of techniques.

 

[85Hokie]

The 5 gallon bucket with the flip top is a "set it and forget it" type Rat/mice remover!

 

[DaveFromMi]

I caught many in a Victor Rat Trap.

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

The 5 gallon bucket with the flip top is a "set it and forget it" type Rat/mice remover!

Yes. Thank you. I have that set up. 5 gal bucket with 1 gallon water or so in it. A spinning rod on top with p nut butter and a ramp.
Got nothing but mosquito larvae. Added dish soap to stop the mosquitos.

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

Victor rat traps got me zero. Sad but true. Glue traps netted 3.
These rats are smarter than any rodent I've experienced before.

Of course they live in a garage full of food. It was a pantry. Now all that food is trash.

Easily a food loss of several hundred dollars.

I hate meeces to peices. But these are Rats. Not mice.
They chew thru plastic bottles. The pest control guy said that rats need to chew.

There's a mixed stream of gatorade, bottled water and cooking oil running out of this garage. All that the rats chewed holes into.

It's a darn mess.

I think what I need is a couple hungry cats.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Electric Rat traps.
We have the mouse version and they work GREAT!

https://www.amazon.com/Victor-M241BSR-3-Indoor-Electronic-Humane/dp/B0CQ8T7T37/ref=asc_df_B0CQ8T7T37/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=692875362841&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6161083332532970505&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029659&hvtargid=pla-2281435184858&mcid=c5f8c7e591993df7b8e1f8655fae7238&hvocijid=6161083332532970505-B0CQ8T7T37-&hvexpln=73&th=1

 

[William1]

Warfarin.....

 

[Daylight]

 

[The Evil Twin]

Victor rat traps got me zero. Sad but true. Glue traps netted 3.
These rats are smarter than any rodent I've experienced before.

Of course they live in a garage full of food. It was a pantry. Now all that food is trash.

Easily a food loss of several hundred dollars.

I hate meeces to peices. But these are Rats. Not mice.
They chew thru plastic bottles. The pest control guy said that rats need to chew.

There's a mixed stream of gatorade, bottled water and cooking oil running out of this garage. All that the rats chewed holes into.

It's a darn mess.

I think what I need is a couple hungry cats.

Then you would have a cat problem. And dunking cats in 5 gal buckets is not socially acceptable

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

That video made my day. I now know why they call them rat terriers.

I hope they fed those pooches very good afterwards.

Great video!

 

[Sidekick]

In NYC they think birth control will get rid of them

Rat Birth Control Is Happening

The City Council voted in favor of a pilot to try to control the rodent population with contraceptives.

www.curbed.com

 

[Labman]

Take peanuts that are in the shell and mix/blend with a bag of plaster of paris. They can't resist the salty peanuts, which in turn causes them to eat the plaster of paris. They will go to water and that will cause the plaster of paris to set up in the stomach/gut. Kills them, as they can't pass that blockage. We use it all the time on rats and pack rats. It will get rid of them all, but make sure there are no other pets around or they will succumb to it also.

 

[Oleracer]

We use the 5-6 gallon bucket with a piece of 3/16 brake line .. gatoraid bottle …peanut butter. Than antifreeze about 1/4 -1/3 full. If you cant get to remove rodents the antifreeze pickles them no smell. Been used for 50 years in closed up camps during winter.
Cant use it around pets but works great in closed up areas. RVs Attics, Camps,Garage

 

[DustyRusty]

I was recently told that monkey biscuits are toxic to mice and rats. I have no idea what is in the monkey biscuits, but the farmer said it works for him.

 

[D2Cat]

Take peanuts that are in the shell and mix/blend with a bag of plaster of paris. They can't resist the salty peanuts, which in turn causes them to eat the plaster of paris. They will go to water and that will cause the plaster of paris to set up in the stomach/gut. Kills them, as they can't pass that blockage. We use it all the time on rats and pack rats. It will get rid of them all, but make sure there are no other pets around or they will succumb to it also.

I set up a 5 gal bucket for mice. Coons came in the barn and licked the peanut butter off. I finally gave up with that method.

 

[Daylight]

I visited that channel - brilliant and fascinating! Got me some ideas too...

Now however, I still need something really efficient to deal with beech martens, which are much harder to catch than even the smartest rat.

Look at the Shawn Woods YouTube videos. He has a lot of techniques.

 

[Daylight]

Well, it works with insects...

In NYC they think birth control will get rid of them

Rat Birth Control Is Happening

The City Council voted in favor of a pilot to try to control the rodent population with contraceptives.

www.curbed.com

 

[Daylight]

Yes, fascinating to watch (I don't know if I had more fun watching than the dogs actually catching...) , and a lot more efficient than any trap!

That video made my day. I now know why they call them rat terriers.

I hope they fed those pooches very good afterwards.

Great video!

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

With a cabin in the woods I have mouse issues...just a few mice can make big problems, a fair amount of mice are a serious problem. Mice, like rats, are smart, not all traps catch all mice, so I use live traps, snap traps, poison bait, sticky traps, ...and basically declared war on them after they destroyed a bunch of stuff.

Use professional equipment and get the job done. If you have the money to waste it's find to find out internet solutions like essential oil and ultrasonic repellents don't work, and there's no problem adding some farm solutions like a bucket of water with sunflower seeds and a stick, but I'd suggest going to war with professional tools and using the rest to supplement your attack.