If you were a "Rat" what would you prefer?

There is a pretty good population of raptors here in Ramona, and I know it's been said already, but they don't just crawl into their hole and die when poisoned, they come out in the open and thrash around. They might as well be holding a sign that says "free meal". A lot of people have had good luck installing an owl box in a nearby tree. Placed right, there is a good chance it will be inhabited within a few months, and they can eat 200+ rodents a year. There is a downside though, the area under it will get pretty messy, so maybe convince your neighbor to put it in his yard?
The other idea I had, which may depend on your relationship with your neighbor, is to offer to keep a strip of land on his side of the fence mowed down. It would require some work on your part, but might be worthwhile.