F’n rats

[Fastass350]

I’ve never had to deal with rats, now all the sudden in the last couple weeks I have. Long story longer cause that’s all I know. And after all, we all come to this forum for stories and knowledge. 

Couple weeks back one neighbor asks me to help with his 4 wheeler. While there we step into his garage and he asks if that smell is a pack rat. 

Couple days later, in the small 8x8 shed we have, that we keep the roll up door cracked on so the cat can go in/out, I see rat droppings. We feed the cat small amounts twice a day hoping to avoid this situation.
One morning early I go in to feed the cat and see a rat up on a shelf. Ok now it’s time for glue traps (all I could find other than mouse traps at the time) and bait blocks.
In one of the other shops which is rock floor and stores stuff, I see signs of the same. Move things around and place the bait, I don’t see signs for a bit til two days ago I go in and see a rat huddled in the middle of one bay. I grabbed the shovel, poked him (thinking he’s dying from poison or dead) and he’s startled. So made good use of the shovel and flattened him.

Back to the shed, hadn’t seen any new sign until today, so I pull the cat food bucket and close the shed up tight and figure I’ll let it die in there. After more thought (whiskey) I decided to go in and flush him out. After dark I went in with an old single shot 22 rifle that hasn’t been shot in almost ten years. Put a bird shot in and click. Cycle it and put the same cartridge back in, same. Put another in, spot him again and click. Ran through this routine for 4 shells and decided to come inside for another gun. One I bought from a member here many many years ago, and loaded it up. Back into the shed and close the door. I could hear it thumping, don’t know if it was his tail wagging like a dog or what, but I always knew where it was which was weird. I figured he’d go silent. First shot was a guess, next one was good as he was staring right at me, but he ran around to the back wall towards the nest there and I could see a good wound on his left shoulder. Instead of moving firewood and finding him I decided to let it rest, and see where it lies in the am. 

Like I said, long story longer 

[Caseknife]

Think the thumping is being done by a back leg, they are irritated, probably cuz they think their days are numbered:)  Hate pack rats, piss trails everywhere!

[HHPro]

Is it pack rat or roof rat?

[hunter399]

One thing I found out with rats is. I super glue nuts and sunflower seed to the trap or a piece of card board in a cage.
That way the little suckers don't get the bait and run.
Those glue trap put a dot of pancake or peanut butter or stick a few nuts in the middle.

Gotta get inventive if wanna catch those suckers.

Had a roof rat once could never catch that sucker.
I got some of those poison sunflower seed from the feed store.
Heard that sucker die up there,OMG.
it was a rental ,we moved soon after.
It sounded like a raccoon died up there.
It must of been a big in.

[Fastass350]

Hmmm don’t know the difference between rats, I’ll have to do some more research. I couldn’t imagine one in the roof and listening to it, without burning the place down 

The glue traps I bought don’t seem to be enough to catch these, first one was moved the first night, when I found it it was covered in hair/droppings and its tail. Partial win I guess.
I need to find the big snap traps and I’ll try the super glue trick, I like the sounds of that.

[2MANY]

They are pac rats.
Call Charlie the local pest guy or get some crab apple and tie a piece of one to a Victor rat trap trigger.
The end.

[Katmai Guy]

If you're a poison type of guy, get "Just one bite"  from a feed store.  You'll have to search out the carcasses buy smell but it gets rid of them.  I hate rats!

If they are pack rats the poison might not work.

[wadu1]

How about a HW rat hunt, with an entry fee. Then use the money to pay a bounty. Just thinking out of the box. 

[Fastass350]

Got a # for Charlie by chance? I‘ll take your advice and see what I can find, I just saw a crab apple somewhere I was working, I’ll have to find it. I need to find the big traps still or order some. 

I like the idea of a HW hunt, we have lots of parking space and I’ll supply the beverages!  But with any luck this was the last 🤞

[2MANY]

I sent you a pm.

One of those beasts rode 12 hours home with a friend in her trucks frame. Got home and it made a nest with various vegetation on the truck's warm motor.
We tried baiting it with cheese and then pepperoni both to no avail.
Luckily I found a couple pieces of chewed on crab apple that it packed home from Idaho and sure enough it was the rat's kryptonite. Game over.
Not sure you know but pack rats hate light and that's why you see people with rigs parked with their hoods up. They will make a nest under the hood and chew all your engine wiring.
Good Times.

[HHPro]

If it's pack rats then you don't have to worry about them infesting your property,roof rats breed fast and will infest your place incredibly fast.Apple's of any kind will work for rats as does plain sunflower seeds.

[MADMAX]

I sent you a pm.

One of those beasts rode 12 hours home with a friend in her trucks frame. Got home and it made a nest with various vegetation on the truck's warm motor.
We tried baiting it with cheese and then pepperoni both to no avail.
Luckily I found a couple pieces of chewed on crab apple that it packed home from Idaho and sure enough it was the rat's kryptonite. Game over.
Not sure you know but pack rats hate light and that's why you see people with rigs parked with their hoods up. They will make a nest under the hood and chew all your engine wiring.
Good Times.

Been there
Bad juju

[Cougartail]

Koro Rat Trap in a box. Put a gob of peanut butter on the trigger.

Humptulips has pictures of the box setup for marten.

Works like a charm.

[birdshooter1189]

Too bad you don't live near me, I'd volunteer to come hunt them with air rifles and night vision. This is by far the most satisfying way to get rid of them.

Other effective methods I've used:

1. As mentioned before, the "Just one bite" poison bars. They really do work well.  But not as satisfying as I rarely find the carcasses. The rats just quietly disappear.

https://www.amazon.com/Just-One-Bite-Rat-Mouse/dp/B005SNHSR2

2. Small cage live traps.  I keep one of these baited under my house just inside a vent screen where I can see if it's empty or not from just walking nearby.  For bait I've caught rats and mice with: piece of snickers bar stuck to trip lever, kids fruit snack gummies stuck to trip lever, or chicken feed pellets or cracked corn sprinkled over the trip lever.

https://www.amazon.com/Anyhall-2-Pack-Animal-Chipmunk-Silver/dp/B0BN8R6WR6/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2WS6CPB6WCKDX&keywords=rat%2Btrap%2Bcage&qid=1694183654&s=lawn-garden&sprefix=rat%2Btrap%2Bcag%2Clawngarden%2C106&sr=1-7&th=1

[2MANY]

Night vision sounds like a great idea.