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Re: rats <was 'I wanted wildlife, but'>....

Jane Patterson wrote:
> ..but just last week I noticed that I have a family of rats living >under my
 deck.  I think I may have to resort to poison--placed under >the deck where
 it's likely they'll eat it.  Does anyone have a better >suggestion?

Not a better suggestion .. just an elaboration on your plan.
        When I had to deal with a well established colony of rats in a newly
bought house I got a tip from an old exterminator:
        put your rat poison in a plastic baggy and tie a long string to it.
Don't worry about the rats smelling the poisoned bait through the
plastic ... they have fantastic smellers and will nose it out easily.
        With a long stick poke your baggy in under the porch far enough so that
it is unlikely that any of the desirable animals (or birds) will get it.
BUT ... leave the end of the string in sight.
        In my experience, the rats grabbed the baggy and made off with it to
their nest where they pigged out at their leisure. Every time the string
dissappeared I would poke another baggy in to replace it.
        After several servings, the string on the last baggy didn't dissappear.
That tells you that you got the rats.
        My bait was warfrin (sp?) ... a slow kill. I was told that a quick
killing bait may not get them all, as the survivors, being very smart,
may see the cause and effect and figure out what killed their kin and
avoid the bait in the future. I cannot vouch for this, but I do know
that my bait  worked.
        Don't be surprised if another rat colony establishes itself under your
porch in time as you have provided them with exactly what they need ...
food (bird seed) and shelter. Ah well! It keeps life interesting.
                Good luck ...... Ed Flynn

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