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Thread: How to catch a rat....Do not click if you can't handle it.

  1. #16
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
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    Why the steel wool? Doesn't that rust away rather quick?

    I would just patch it up with concrete mix worse case. Knock/brush out any loose material before patching it up.

    Tomorrow at work I have to use two pop rivets to finish up the screen on the air vent and it's done. That vent airs into the porch that was also turned into a room long before we purchased this house. It's also been a couple of weeks and I haven't caught any more rats. I'll pull the traps and assume all is clear now.

  2. #17
    Member gorja's Avatar
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    Okay, I won't use steel wool

    Georgia L Schlager

  3. #18
    Member gorja's Avatar
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    Originally posted by WNYresident:
    I would just patch it up with concrete mix worse case. Knock/brush out any loose material before patching it up.
    Done. I removed the steel wool from between the slats of the vent also. I just thought it would make their gut bleed if they tried to chew on it.

    Georgia L Schlager

  4. #19
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
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    Quote Originally Posted by gorja View Post
    I just thought it would make their gut bleed if they tried to chew on it.
    I wouldn't do that. Rats or not. Be humane if you are going to deal with them.

  5. #20
    Member gorja's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by WNYresident View Post
    I wouldn't do that. Rats or not. Be humane if you are going to deal with them.
    Sorry, my rat phobia would never allow me to be humane when it comes to rats

    Georgia L Schlager

  6. #21
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
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    I don't know if it will be completely rat proof now but the screen is replaced. The old screen crumbled away when I removed it. I don't know when the original owners installed it but it must have been at least 30+ years old. Cost about 2 bucks for the screen and 2 rivets.



    Air Vent

  7. #22
    Member gorja's Avatar
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    My screen is behind the slats on the vent. So if I wanted to, I could just put a new screen on the outside if the other one ever gets damaged?

    Georgia L Schlager

  8. #23
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
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    You could do that. I'd rather replace the screen as it was though.

  9. #24
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
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    Apparently the word didn't get out in the rat community that if you enter my yard your gonna get trapped. I'm pretty sure they have returned and made my stop at Value Home Center.

    Instead of nesting under an old porch they made their home under two bushes. I hope they are rats because I don't want to trap a chipmunk. Saw a poop trail in the garage where I believe they are entering besides under the bushes....

    Got a fresh apple and peanut butter.

  10. #25
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    Adopt a farm cat!

  11. #26
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
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    No cats. That would be too much anxiety for the birds.

    I went back for the Victor Rat Smash-o-matic.



    Baited it with peanut butter and some apple.



    I put some peanut button on the tab first and then the apple.



    I leave the skin on and place that part under the prong on the tab. Seems to make it harder for the rat to get away with the apple and not set off the trap.



    I placed two traps where we see them nesting along the brick wall. Tomorrow morning I'll see if we caught anything.




  12. #27
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
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    Those are brand new traps. I would never put a used rat trap on the kitchen counter. I also put on rubber throw-a-way gloves while baiting them and setting them outside. Rats have a very good sense of smell.

    I'm surprised places sell those sticky traps. That's a horrible way to go rat or not.

  13. #28
    Member gorja's Avatar
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    On the social network nextdoor.com , there has been a lot of talk about the rats in Lancaster.
    I mentioned to the CEO before a work session one night about the rats they're seeing on Broezel.
    I had thought maybe people weren't using lidded cans but he said the rats have always been there

    Broezel is a hop, skip and a jump from my house. I see no evidence yet. Am waiting for snowfall to check for footprints.

    Yesterday, I saw footprints in my mulch near my shed. They're small than deer and too close together but bigger than a rat or my dog. I'm thinking a big cat, raccoon or woodchuck

    Good luck

    Georgia L Schlager

  14. #29
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
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    Are the home owners in that area proactively setting traps on Broezel?

  15. #30
    Tony Fracasso - Admin
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    We got a winner!



    Second trap is still set.

    When I get home I'll properly dispose of the rat and set the trap. If there is one rat there is usually more.

    One issue we have on the property is apple trees. Rats eat apples. The deer do a good job of clearing the apples but there are always a few left over.

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