My neighbor wasn't joking.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by Triffid

Junebug,
I understand perfectly the desire to relocate them and even admire you for it. It's just not always that easy with rats, because of how fast the multiply. That's why I prefer the decorative carnivore method, they tend to get the hint and move else where of their own accord when confronted with a resident predator.

Though I must add, after reading that your neighbour found two nests... Regarding their gnawing habit, it's because their teeth constantly grow and gnawing keeps the teeth in check. (I had to take mine to the vets to get her teeth trimmed)
This being said they will gnaw through anything to keep their teeth in check, and that includes Electronic Cables!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND both you and your neighbour check your electronics out! You don't want any nasty surprises.
Some people don't know they have a rat problem till all the lights go out!... Or someone/something gets electrocuted!

Thank you. They are very destructive little critters.

My latest update:

I baited and set-up my non-lethal trap late yesterday. After dark I remembered that I'd left the old milk jug out by the compost. Couldn't find the darn flashlight so I cautiously tiptoed in the dark to retrieve it. Had a feeling they might be feasting in the old jug, so I gently tapped the jug with a nearby rake before picking it up. I could hear those rascals scrambling to make a hasty escape. Afterwards I isolated the milk jug and then monitored the safe trap every hour or so until about 3:00 a.m. There was no activity....probably due to the availability of food near the compost pile and the recent scare jug retrieval.

The compost pile was tossed and weeded last weekend. It's completely dry with the exception of two sprouted avocado seedlings and I plan to remove and pot those up today. Also plan to check for nests in my potting materials. They may have invaded the container containing sphag, CH fiber and raffia. The new trap is baited similarly to the old jug, with a fruit and nut bird seed mix, Maybe I'll have better luck tonight.

[susiep]

I agree about the decorative carnivores. I have 2 house cats that are let out in the backyard for a little while each afternoon. They aren't really "ratters" but the rats don't know that. Just the scent of the cats may keep them next door and out of my yard!

However, one of them did manage to catch a mouse once and brought it in the house. It was not injured and took off the minute they let it go. It took two days to catch it. But the cats kept alerting us to it's whereabouts. And finally we were able to catch it with an aquarium net. I just scooped it into a deep cardboard box and took it to some nearby woods. Poor little thing was so terrified! It was just trembling. Probably the scariest 2 days of his life were while avoiding those cats in my house!

[Gin]

I use the wire live traps for raccoons and possums both of these will and have killed chickens at night if they can get in the chicken house possums eat the crop out of a chicken that is roosting raccoons tear the chickens to pieces . if you catch raccoons you have to take them a distance before releasing or they will come back . They make a small live trap that might work for rats ? I would not relocate rats or others I catch in my chicken house ..

[Oscarman]

Kinda cute in a Ratatouille kinda way. Neat to see, don't get them in my parts.

Hear they can be tasty cooked over an open fire!

[susiep]

Yucky!

[Junebug]

They haven't taken the bait yet...

[Triffid]

As I seem to recall mine liked Cake, high fat and sugar, yum yum!

Oh and I have re-found a story you guys might like to read. You think the ones you have in your neighbourhood are big, have a look at these!

BBC - Earth News - Giant rat found in 'lost volcano'

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by Triffid

As I seem to recall mine liked Cake, high fat and sugar, yum yum!

Oh and I have re-found a story you guys might like to read. You think the ones you have in your neighbourhood are big, have a look at these!

BBC - Earth News - Giant rat found in 'lost volcano'

Cake, high fat and sugar, you say? Those are also my husband's favorites.

Wow! Those volcanic rats are huge. Hope they stay in the lost volcano. Thanks for sharing.

I put this guy on display a few weeks ago, after discovering a freshly nibbled bloom. It may not scare the rats but it sure did scare my husband. The flower had recently opened and had a yummy fragrance.

[Oscarman]

Originally Posted by Triffid

As I seem to recall mine liked Cake, high fat and sugar, yum yum!

Oh and I have re-found a story you guys might like to read. You think the ones you have in your neighbourhood are big, have a look at these!

BBC - Earth News - Giant rat found in 'lost volcano'

Whoa, was that a rat or a cat?

My neighbor's cat is that big and he hunts and catches the wild rabbits in the neighborhood. And he eats them (all)! Yikes! Yep, We call him Winston the rabbit killer.

[Triffid]

Originally Posted by Junebug

Cake, high fat and sugar, you say? Those are also my husband's favorites.

Wow! Those volcanic rats are huge. Hope they stay in the lost volcano. Thanks for sharing.

I put this guy on display a few weeks ago, after discovering a freshly nibbled bloom. It may not scare the rats but it sure did scare my husband. The flower had recently opened and had a yummy fragrance.

Well make sure Hubby doesn't get caught in the traps

Fake snakes/reptiles can provide so much entertainment!

Originally Posted by Oscarman

Whoa, was that a rat or a cat?

My neighbor's cat is that big and he hunts and catches the wild rabbits in the neighborhood. And he eats them (all)! Yikes! Yep, We call him Winston the rabbit killer.

Definitely a Rat, so soft too!

Go Winston! (Cats are Evil!.... might be why I love them so )