I've Got Roof Rats !!!!

[nhmaf]

It does sound like a decently powered air rifle is what ya need, Rich!
I'd send ya mine, but I've got to repel a new red squirrel invasion this month.

[Justin B.]

I bought a .22 cal Gamo air rifle with a, pay attention now, combination scope, spotlight, and laser sight!  I think the scope combo is called a "Varmint Special", or something like that.  All pieces are separate but the scope mounts have all the rings incorporated for the spot and laser.  This is without a doubt the most expensive pellet gun I've ever bought (cost more than some "real" rifles I've got) but it's a real tack-driver and groups very tightly with it's preferred pellets.

But, as far as roof rats go, one place I worked had 'em real bad and the maintenance guys used traps baited with grapefruit slices.    We had rats in our attic a few years ago (hence my buying the Gamo Hunter) and finally got rid of 'em with poison cubes called "Havoc".  I just tossed them into the corners of the attic and after aa week and a half (at most) they were all gone.  The guy at the feed store said this stuff would make 'em thirsty, they would depart in search of water, drink, and die before they could make it back.

The little ba$tards chewed through the discharge line for our water softener causing the ceiling to cave in in our living room right over the couch!!!  Needless to say I wanted them to die a very slow and painful death and I think this particular poison cheated me out of that...  

[Motu]

We had rats and possums (Aussie ones) in our roof when we lived in the bush.We would hear the possums thumping around as they went out at night and back in the morning.We would see the rats run out along the powerline and into the trees.Bush rats are not as bad as city rats.

A mate across the road used to put a cat up in the roof for a few days to sort the rats out.If he had no cat at the time,he'd grab any one he could find.When a neighbour asked if he'd seen their lost cat,he'd say - ''No,I haven't seen him around lately,but I expect he's having a good time somewhere.''

A cheap poison can be made out of flour and cement - it makes them thirsty and they run outside for water.Tell tale signs are small concrete intestines.....

[Lucky_Lou]

We had rats and possums (Aussie ones) in our roof when we lived in the bush.We would hear the possums thumping around as they went out at night and back in the morning.
.

Just wait till youve got teenagers
 [smiley=beerchug.gif]
Lou

[balibeemer]

Here in peaceful jolly old Bali, we do not have access to all those wonderful aforementioned weapons, so when charged by a dastardly roof rat, I resorted to more traditional methods - Yes, its a homemade blowgun!

[Justin B.]

Three darts!!??  Ain't you got any of them poison suckers the headhunters use?  

Quite a blowgun you have there.  I remember years ago a store was selling blowguns and had a "demo" unit with a dart boarde in their sporting goods section.  I was totally surprised at how accurate one could get with a small amount of practice.

[Bob_Roller]

You wouldn't want to poison them, they taste just like chicken !!

[Justin B.]

I knew that "mystery meat" on a skewer at local chinese joints was "rat-on-a-stick"!!!  

[Bob_Roller]

Rat, the other white meat !!!!!

I don't think it would be much different than eating a squirrel.

[montmil]

Outstanding! [smiley=thumbsup.gif] Them be stew pot size!

In SE Asia -Vietnam, rice farmers trap rats, and I mean BIG rats, that feed on the ol' boys rice crop. They are sold at market as consumable meat products! There was even a canned rat meat on store shelves branded as STAR... that's rats spelled backasswards. Probably an acquired taste.

Monte

[MrRiden]

Balibeemer,
Now you won't take any offense if by fate we meet somewhere and I refuse your kind offer of biltong will ya? Looks like ya have good aim! Just the kind of eye required for one of our more exciting hunting seasons. Bow and Arrow for mountain lion. Unforgiving of poor marksmanship.
rich
http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/game_lion.shtml

[nhmaf]

Oh, I'd eat an acorn, seed, and bird-egg fed squirrel anyday before I'd eat any rat or muskrat that I'd find round these parts !

[Semper Gumby]

Balibeemer...that is great!

[Bob_Roller]

Well the little 'M-effers' are back , they never really went away in reality, had a professional company come out on Tuesday, and in 25 minutes, found how they were getting into my attic .

"Treatment" starts tomorrow .

If you have any rodent problems, this includes squirrels, I found a product called the 'RatZapper', looks like a great product .

Also tried 'Just One Bite II' bait bar, the rats devoured it, and left the De-con bait next to it alone .


http://www.ratzapper.com/

[Ed Miller]

I have one of those ratzappers (the classic) and it worked fine for smaller pack rats (wood rats, to be precise) but the bigger ones can't fit into it to get the bait.  I hate poison, but I used it for them.