Forum Discussion

Naio's avatar
Naio
Explorer II
Nov 15, 2015

Rats!

I am trying to help a friend with a rat problem at his S&B, where I am visiting.

I got rid of their food supply, but the rats are still living in the crawlspace under the house. He has put poison under there, but some of the rats are too smart.

The openings where they get in and out are foundation vents with missing screens. A pet or small child could get in, and eat the poison. I want to replace the screens -- but that will trap the rats under the house. They will cause more damage trying to get out.

Any ideas on how I can get the rats out, first?

I read online that ultrasonic emitters don't work and smoke bombs can start fires. I suppose I could leave them one smaller hole, too small for anything else to get through, but that is not really a satisfactory solution.
  • Naio's avatar
    Naio
    Explorer II
    Thanks, Nav! I like the smoke machine idea especially. And the one-way exit.

    I see there is an a ultrasonic phone app. Do y'all think a whole bottle of peppermint or fir oil would work?
  • Maybe you can fashion a one way exit with a trap door that does not permit the rats to go back in, only problem will be that they will get in the building, if you use traps you have to use gloves and use peanut butter you can not touch the traps with your hands at all, place the traps unarmed for a few days until they get used to them and then spring the traps after they get familiar with them.

    If you place poison you need to again not touch the containers, rats distrust humans and will not touch food that has our scent, I used to get rid of them with antifreeze, now it is forbidden or borrow a few hungry cats.

    Some fire departments use a smoke generator to teach kids how to proceed in case of fires in school, you might rent one of those and try to smoke them out.

    Good luck catching them

    navegator

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