TVCH FORUMS HOME . JOIN . FAN CLUBS . ABOUT US . CONTACT . CHAT  
Bomis   Quick Links   TOPICS . TREE-VIEW . SEARCH . HELP! . NEWS . PROFILE
Mice / Rat Problem

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Sep. ~ Nov.: Home and Garden: Mice / Rat Problem users admin

Author Message
Dlmmo
Member

11-20-2003

Friday, September 16, 2005 - 8:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dlmmo a private message Print Post    
I seriously need help with rats or mice or something. Does anyone have any pet friendly advice?

Dlmmo
Member

11-20-2003

Friday, September 16, 2005 - 9:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dlmmo a private message Print Post    
Okay I just realized I posted in the termite section. I am totally freaked out about my intruders and it is to late to edit. I NEED HELP WITH RATS!

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 6:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
A couple of questions for you Dlmmo: *where are you finding the rats? *do you still own dogs? *what is their food source? *any cracks or entry spots that you have found?

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 6:44 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Dlmmo, is it your own house or a rental property? If your own, I would begin by setting traps; if not, I'd let my landlord know --and that you expect him/her to call an exterminator immediately.

Dlmmo
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 7:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dlmmo a private message Print Post    
Thanks Hercle for responding! I had some blackberry bushes and an apple tree in the back yard and my Rott and Pointer killed a couple and brought them to me so proudly! I cleared all the fruit out and they disappeared for about two months. I thought the problem was solved. Now I am hearing noises in the walls (totally freakin me out). I rent a duplex from a family friend for a very reasonable rent so I thought I would see what I could do on my own before calling her. She is close to 9 months pregnant and due Oct. 1.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 7:04 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Lots of good advice Here. Do remember that a cornered rat is a nasty, vicious thing so be careful!

Dlmmo
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 7:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dlmmo a private message Print Post    
At first I totally freaked (can't think of another word that describes my emotional state) out when the dogs brought me the dead rats, now I am longing for dead rats instead of live, moving ones.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 7:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Actually, Dlmmo, all the sites I have looked at this morning recommend a dog, cat, ferret to deal with pests. I think your dogs are doing a great job! Just follow the other recommendations and you should be all set. Don't forget to use the rubber gloves to dispose of those things...wrap in newspaper and seal in plastic bag...that kind of stuff. Yucky! I am sorry that you are dealing with this!!

As I was reading, I was reminded to get some d-con in preparation for the mice that want in from the cold. One other thing, I use steel wool to plug up little holes that can't be foamed or caulked (Around some pipes such as the sump pump empty, etc.) It works quite well.

Dlmmo
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 7:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dlmmo a private message Print Post    
Vee thanks for link. After reading the tips I can't think of anything I am doing wrong. The dogs eat in my kitchen and finish every morsel immediately. The garbage cans our out front tucked in the cubby by the gate. I want to put out some traps or something under the house and in the attic, any suggestions for something that won't harm the dogs (i am afraid of poison that might harm the dogs if they eat a little while exterminating them).

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 7:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
If you are placing traps in places where the dogs do not go...basement?...attic?, I would just use the large snap traps. They must be firmly secured, though, so the rat can't drag it away. I believe that any hardware store would have the large rat traps. Don't worry about being merciful in this case. Rats are dangerous on a number of levels. They don't belong in your space!

The other tip I thought was good was to bait the trap without setting it for a few days. That way, the rat gets "used" to it. Also, place the trap along the wall because rats don't venture into open spaces.

Good luck!

Dlmmo
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 7:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dlmmo a private message Print Post    
I forgot to mention that I store the dog food in my pantry in one of those big plastic bins that seals tight (at least I hope so).

Dlmmo
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 7:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dlmmo a private message Print Post    
I think I can place some traps under the house and in the attic (ooooooooooh I have to go retrieve dead bodies) and in the crawl space under the house. I live in Northern CA we don't usually have "real attics" or basements just crawl space.

I am off to Ace hardware this am.

Thanks Lori

Heyltslori
Moderator

09-15-2001

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 7:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Heyltslori a private message Print Post    


Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 7:54 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Tie a string to those traps so that you can pull them back out. Oh, it does sound gruesome. Can you find a guy who would be willing to take on the task? LOL!

Dlmmo
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 8:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dlmmo a private message Print Post    
The girls Cali (white) and Nala or my rodent hunters.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 8:14 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Awww, they're so cute. I am glad that an old rat doesn't intimidate them!!

Dlmmo
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 8:33 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dlmmo a private message Print Post    
I think they are beautiful. As someone who only had small dogs before now (two long haired chihuahua's who both lived 15+ years) to my two rescues justs warm my heart. What an adjustment to big dogs I have had. Big poohs and realizing how much of my training was just being able to pick them up and say no ...

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 8:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
You know you can buy those traps that have sticky stuff inside. So whatever gets inside doesn't get killed; but can't escape. Kinda creepy. Cuz they would just starve to death. But I am thinking those things might be safer around your dogs. (My mom used them in her garage.)

Mameblanche
Member

04-13-2005

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 9:08 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
I used to work p/t for the humane society, so a few years ago when I had a mousie problem in my old apt, I called them for advice. They told me I could buy a humane trap, that was just a container where you put a dab of cheese and then they enter and it closes behind them and then you take them out to a field, and let them out. I have to admit, I did a naughty thing once. I took one of the little mousies and let it out behind the house of a sworn enemy. I feel bad about it now as the little guy could have detoured and gone to the wrong house! LOL Um, should this be in the confessions thread?

Dlmmo
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 9:14 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dlmmo a private message Print Post    
Lol Mame!I am trying to do the right thing for my pets, my landlord (a friend) the dirty rats - but would looooooooooove to have them just infest the other side of the duplex who I think (i am so sure they did) ripped me off of all my family jewelry before I got the Rott.

Catfat
Member

02-27-2002

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 2:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Catfat a private message Print Post    
In England, it is said that if you play Scottish bagpipe music very loudly for a week, the rats will leave and never come back. LOL
I love bagpipes, so I don't know if this would work or not.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 2:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
And it might take care of the pesky neighbors, too!

Dlmmo
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 4:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dlmmo a private message Print Post    
Lol! Great Idea with the bag pipes! The Clark Pest Control guy just came and gave me an estimate. I am also waiting to hear back from my brothers friend who owns a pest control business. I guess I have to put up with it for only a couple of more days before the professionals come in and take care of business. Thanks to all who offered suggestions.

Mameblanche
Member

04-13-2005

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 5:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Glad to be of help... Murphy's Law tho, today my cleaning lady found a mess of ants, and I am sorta freaking out. So I took a page from your book so to speak, and went and started the ANTS ANTS ANTS thread section here. If the ant baits I put out don't work by Monday I am so calling an exteminator. But its a pain, as I have 2 cats, and have to board them for the day.