Rats!

[NH homesteader]

Ohh gotcha. Yeah that's nonsense. That would never fly here!

 

[Baymule]

On BYC there is thread after thread on rats and mice. Never tried it, but they say fill a 5 gallon bucket 1/3 full of water, float corn in it. The rat goes in after the corn and drowns because they can't get their feet on the bottom of the bucket to jump out. Another one is to mix plaster of Paris with peanut butter and make little balls of the mix. Mice and rats eat them, the plaster of Paris hardens inside them and they die. Don't know if either one works.

Oops. Corrected to read BYC instead of BYH.

 

[NH homesteader]

Hmm on here there is? Sorry for repeating it, the search didn't work for me I guess.

We tried something similar with a barrel. Didn't work... Mice are way easier than rats to get rid of!

 

[greybeard]

Hmm on here there is? Sorry for repeating it, the search didn't work for me I guess.

We tried something similar with a barrel. Didn't work... Mice are way easier than rats to get rid of!

http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/rats-biting-my-meat-chickens.29326/
http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/rats-in-well-house.22724/
http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/question-about-rats-eeeeewwwwww.21951/
http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/rats-please-help.7396/

I think the last one is the one you want.
more info here:
https://www.ratcontroltricks.com/rat-traps/
Google Bucket rat trap and you will see several videos on how to do it, or just images--there are several ways to go about it, but in all, you need to provide them with a way to get inside the bucket.

 

[NH homesteader]

Thanks. My phone barely lets me post on this site, so it didn't let me search. Technology...

I'll check it out.

 

[Baymule]

Hmm on here there is? Sorry for repeating it, the search didn't work for me I guess.

We tried something similar with a barrel. Didn't work... Mice are way easier than rats to get rid of!

I meant BYC and corrected my post. But I see Greybeard has found and provided threads on BYH for you.

 

[alsea1]

When I start seeing sign of rats I put out those green bait blocks. I place them where the cat and dog and stock are not able to get at them. At first I was afraid I would end up poisoning our dog or cat. I have been using them now for ten years off and on. No trouble with the pets yet.
They are effective and get rid of the varmints quickly.
I don't like the idea of poison but I also don't want rats and disease on the place.
The cat kills alot of varmints but she cannot keep up. The dog will not permit more cats. Seems he put his foot down and let us know he felt any new cats were to be met with violence. Sooooo.
I am also very careful with how much feed I put out. If feed is not cleaned up quick I reduce the amount the next time. This really helps I think. Rats are opportunists.
Feed storage is critical. It must be in containers they cannot chew into.
Another thing is clutter. I found that keeping the clutter under control really helps. Reduces places to hide and makes it easier for the cat to get them.

 

[NH homesteader]

Thanks! I don't have an issue with poison, as long as my animals can't get to it. They can't get into our feed, we have that locked up well. The pigs just make a mess when they eat, and the meat turkeys.

Unfortunately my husband is a collector, aka hoarder of potentially useful things... So I know that's part of my problem

 

[Baymule]

@alsea1 what green blocks? I use Just One Bite, they are yellow bars and work well.

 

[alsea1]

They are the tom cat brand.
I quit using the decon pellets. Got tired of the varmints packing them around. LOL Found em in outdoor boots.