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Post by fernwood on Dec 23, 2019 6:33:32 GMT -5
They have now taken up residence on front porch.
That is where I store fire wood, do photography of rocks/jewelry, stored dog/cat food and some special slabs/rocks. I also use the area to compile boxes of rocks/slabs to be sent to others.
The front porch is my main access to basement, where furnace, hot water heater and well pressure tank are.
A rat knocked a box of slabs off shelves and onto concrete floor. Some of the slabs are now slabettes. Some are just tumbling material. These were some nice slabs. About 7 slabs were damaged.
I have moved the cat/dog food into dining room.
Trap is set on porch.
Once my rib heals, I will need to start heating some with wood again. Required to prevent water pipes/drains from freezing.
Rats are also trying to chew through living room walls. The sound is very loud.
It could be worse. I could have a snake infestation, like another member here. Snakes are my worst fear. I recently killed one on front porch. If any others would appear, I would need to move to a hotel and commute to care for animals daily.
Thanks for listening.
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Post by MsAli on Dec 23, 2019 6:57:22 GMT -5
You need a younger cat or two around
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Post by RickB on Dec 23, 2019 7:09:48 GMT -5
You need a younger cat or two around Or a Rat Terrier. Wishing you better luck with the varmints in the New Year.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 23, 2019 10:43:12 GMT -5
Are your cats strictly indoor cats, Beth? If so, I would be putting rat poison out there to kill those dang things.
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Post by fernwood on Dec 23, 2019 10:47:01 GMT -5
Yes, indoor cats.
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 23, 2019 12:49:06 GMT -5
Are your cats strictly indoor cats, Beth? If so, I would be putting rat poison out there to kill those dang things. BINGO!!!!
I had some in my shed. My cat, Cat, goes out to use his big litter box, but he never goes in the shed. I noticed they ate all my grass seed I had out there, so I mixed some poison pellets in with some more seed. All rats in there are gone along with the poison.
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Post by RickB on Dec 23, 2019 13:06:51 GMT -5
"Nice kitty, soft kitty, little ball of fur kitty" will not do. This one would get the job done.
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Post by fernwood on Dec 23, 2019 13:17:08 GMT -5
Pest control is coming tomorrow. Bringing some different traps. I do not want to put poison in my house. Before some of the holes were sealed, I did put poison in the walls.
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Post by manofglass on Dec 23, 2019 13:42:20 GMT -5
You need a Jack Russell
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Post by greig on Dec 23, 2019 14:28:47 GMT -5
A Jack Russell would certainly take care of them when out in the open, but rats cannot hide from a mink. Kinda useless info unless you have somebody local with a hunter mink. I would poison the darn rats. Once a few of them get sick, the rest will move on.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 23, 2019 18:15:10 GMT -5
Pest control is coming tomorrow. Bringing some different traps. I do not want to put poison in my house. Before some of the holes were sealed, I did put poison in the walls. I was talking about putting the poison outside by your porch. The buggers are coming in in droves. If there's bait outside they will eat it and croak outside. Who knows if they've made nests in your house and bred. Have your pest guy put out poison outside so the cats won't be in any danger of getting near it.
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Post by fernwood on Dec 23, 2019 23:51:14 GMT -5
I will find out tomorrow if there are any new holes by the house foundation. I would need to put out the poison, as he is not licensed to do so. Very strict rules here. Am trying to hold out on poison use as long as I can. My neighbor friends dog is a frequent visitor to my place. I do not want him eating the poison.
Pest guy is inspecting the interior foundation area by my porch. If holes are found, he will close them off. Also going to inspect the basement walls and ceiling for any holes. Note that my basement is very "modern" for a 1909 one. It has not been updated.
Will report findings tomorrow.
PS. Having an indoor dog is out of the question. The dog friendly portions of my house are not large enough. Less than 200 sq. ft.
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Post by RocksInNJ on Dec 24, 2019 0:20:43 GMT -5
Show him the bucket traps from YouTube with the walk the plank trap.
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Post by fernwood on Dec 24, 2019 4:51:44 GMT -5
Show him the bucket traps from YouTube with the walk the plank trap. He is going to set up one of those in basement.
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Post by fernwood on Dec 24, 2019 11:52:26 GMT -5
12-24 update. Rats are in my walls, abandoned cold air returns, between ceilings/floors, in crawl space and in basement. We also heard some in both of the old furnaces in basement. Some appear to have dug down over 7' to access basement. They are digging a lot. New hole in basement floor. Same hole, showing the 7' wall. New hole by basement door. Another hole by basement door. Hole on porch side by basement stairs. Another hole on porch side. Big guns, rat sized tool box trap. This shows the rat sized holes. These traps are just beyond the above one. They are nailed to the trap door. There are 7 of this style traps in my basement. All nailed down. The bait changed to the "gourmet" type. Suet, walnuts, peanut butter, aluminum foil. I did not photograph the garbage can style traps in basement. They have ramps for access. Are baited with my dog food. Am hoping this works.
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Post by fernwood on Dec 24, 2019 12:19:40 GMT -5
The traps in last photo are where I was having fire place wood put. There and on other side of porch, where there are now more traps.
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lookatthat
Cave Dweller
Whatever there is to be found.
Member since May 2017
Posts: 1,360
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Post by lookatthat on Dec 24, 2019 15:17:10 GMT -5
What next, flaming hail?
The snake you killed was probably after the rats/mice.
Rodents can get through such tiny holes, it is hard to block them all. Steel wool sometimes works.
Have you tried removing brush etc/hiding places around the outside of the house?
Have you tried any of those electronic rodent repellent things?
Have you tried a flame thrower?
Sorry to hear about your slabs.
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Post by drocknut on Dec 24, 2019 15:35:00 GMT -5
Wow, that is a bad infestation. Hope you get it under control. I'm not a fan of rats especially ones who don't respect slabs.
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Post by MsAli on Dec 24, 2019 18:01:18 GMT -5
A Jack Russell would certainly take care of them when out in the open, but rats cannot hide from a mink. Kinda useless info unless you have somebody local with a hunter mink. I would poison the darn rats. Once a few of them get sick, the rest will move on. I saw a Mink today. I was so excited! 1st one i've seen in years! Unfortunately they also like chickens and fish
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Post by rockpickerforever on Dec 24, 2019 18:43:55 GMT -5
Wow, that is a bad infestation. Hope you get it under control. I'm not a fan of rats especially ones who don't respect slabs. Diane, they like avocados, too. They climb my tree, and gnaw on them (rock hard, excuse the pun) while still in the tree. If they don't fall while being eaten, they do soon after. On the ground, other rats, mice, skunks and raccoons eat them. The raccoons climb the tree as well, and eat them while still on the tree. I've seen one climb down the tree trunk, backwards, like nobody's business. Then he turned and headed for the six+ foot wood fence, put it in four-wheel drive and powered straight up and over the fence. I was amazed. They've got some claws on them! You don't want to tangle with one, your dog, neither.
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