My neighbor wasn't joking.

[Angurek]

Originally Posted by Junebug

Last weekend one of my across the fence neighbors told me she had disturbed 2 rat nests while tearing down her delapidated tool shed. She cautioned me to be on the look-out for her displaced rats and she wasn't joking.

Last night my dogs began barking like crazy and they just wouldn't stop. I checked on them to see what all the commotion was about and they're attention was fixated on the back porch. As I looked towards the porch I caught glimpse of small rodent crawling inside a milk jug containing bird seed.

I took the camera and cautiously pointed it inside the rodent's chewed-out access hole. The flash from the camera startled not one, but two young rats. They immediately jumped out and scurried away leaving yet another young rat behind. After the second flash he lept out and ran off. Afterwards I tossed the entire jug of seed into the compost pile a good distance away from the house.

Where's my yard snakes when I need them? Hopefully they're hanging out by the compost.

Awww! They're so cute!

I'm not really afraid of rodents. My sister used to have some pet gerbils, and I grew so used to their sight that rodents no longer creep me out. Still, they could do some damage to your home, so I hope they don't stay too long.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by Angurek

Awww! They're so cute!

I'm not really afraid of rodents. My sister used to have some pet gerbils, and I grew so used to their sight that rodents no longer creep me out. Still, they could do some damage to your home, so I hope they don't stay too long.

I'm pretty tolerant of critters that others find frightening or disgusting. Both husbands, current and ex, are a whole different story. They're both easily frightened by the smallest of creepy crawlies and petrified by the larger ones. I've rescued them both from certain death many times.

These little guys are kinda cute but I'll have to admit that they did startle me when they lept out of that milk carton.

[marydaniellesantos]

Hi Junebug! How is the trapping going?

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by marydaniellesantos

Hi Junebug! How is the trapping going?

There has been no evidence of activity and the trap is still set. They're not in my potting supplies either. Fresh material will be withheld from the compost pile until I'm satisfied the coast is clear.

Maybe the yard snakes and neighborhood cats are doing their jobs...or perhaps neighbors are baiting or trapping. If someone is using poison the rats will most likely head for water and there are homes with swimming pools nearby. There's no pool at my home and my rain water reserve is covered.

[marydaniellesantos]

Lol. Well it's good they not around anymore. Maybe the coast is clear.

[Junebug]

Latest Update:

I left my humane rat trap baited and positioned on the back porch. There was no sign of activity until about 3 days ago, when I began noticing chewed remnants of the bird seed bait. Just as a precaution I double checked my potting supplies and sure enough at the very bottom of the storage container beneath pieces of bark, chc, and torn bits of shade cloth was a nest of 7 tiny babies that couldn't have been more than 2 or 3 days old.

I moved them along with their bedding to a small plastic container. After contacting friends and family members, I could find know one who knew anyone that fancied rats. My husband and son suggested I kill them, but I just couldn't bring myself to do so and decided to hand rear them until they're old enough to be released. I had to do a quick study on how to care for them. They were reluctant to take formula using the syringe/tube method, but eagerly feed one drop at a time from a narrow paint brush dipped in formula. They're so cute...at this stage. Oh, there's more..........

This evening I spotted 3 rats having a party inside the trap and I immediately shut the access door and secured it with packing tape. The rats were transported and released to a densely wooded area about 3 miles away.

Upon my return the trap was reset and within 45 minutes it was occupied by another rat. Once again I secured the trap door and transported him to the woods to reunite with his friends.

Here are photos of the babies. The first one was taken shortly after they were discovered and the last one about 32 hours later.

[susiep]

They are very cute! But all baby animals are, right? Looks like you found the big rats after all. And these won't grow up to be a problem in your yard either. Just don't get attached to them and try not to handle them too much. Let them go as soon as they can fend for themselves. I have raised orphan squirrels, a 'possum and birds, so I know..... Good luck!

[UKCat]

If you age going to hand rear these rat pups you will have to release them back into the wild at about 6 weeks because that is when they can start to breed and they will not worry if they are brother and sister, separate them out into the sexes at 4 weeks as I am sure you don't want any more.
They will start nibbling solids at 2 weeks, and be fully independent at 4-5
Release them into the same area as you did the parents.
Good luck

[Connie Star]

IMHO rats make the best pets. My late mother-n-law taught high school biology for 30+ years and always had pet rats in the classroom. In fact, she had genealogies on them all and kept track, using them to demonstrate mendelian genetics. She gave my kids pet rats as presents on a number of occasions. First there was Christmas Present, then the sisters Mona and Lisa, and finally the blond hooded rat named Madonna. They make much better pets than gerbils or hamsters if they are handled young. They do like to breed however, so separate the boys and girls.

[marydaniellesantos]

Oh my, they are precious little babies, I'm glad you didn't kill them.