Unfortunately the Rid-a-Rat failed again. The new count is
rats in truck 18
rats in well house 9
mouse (in truck) 1
ground squirrel (in truck) 1
Andy moved the light to a different location, but it’s still pointed towards the place where the critters were trying to build nests.
We’ll see if that helps. But even if it doesn’t, the zapper is probably quicker/less painful than being eaten by a predator.
September 23, 2014
You have a kind heart, Jean, and don’t want to see them die. I feel the same.
The coming cold winter is encouraging them to nest I imagine. Sadly, to their detriment.
Rats/mice hate naphthalene/mothballs. We used them in our old wooden cottage roof as a deterrent – with success.
I don’t know if it’s very practical to put some in the engine bay. But worth a try – as long as the mothballs don’t get wet. It can be an ongoing expense to replace them, but the smell lasts for ages and maybe enough to send the message for the critters to move on.
Place a handful of balls in one or two mesh bags – can make some “pouches” out of window flyscreen – and place/wire them near points of entry or somewhere sheltered from rain, away from moving car parts and heat of the battery.
Smelly, but maybe effective.
Thanks for the suggestion, but Andy tried moth balls in our the attic of the house that burned down in 2011. Unfortunately they didn’t work.
So… I suppose getting a cat is not a solution? I have two hawks who have cleared out the squirrel population nicely, much as I love squirrels. So maybe a nice hawk??
Best of luck, Jean!
The rat zapper had been working — except today the bat was gone when Andy got there. He replaced it and it was half gone. This new critter is very smart!
When it works the zapper is more humane than cats. My daughter says she loved her cat, but she couldn’t stand to watch him playing with a mouse before he finally killed it.
Interesting battle going on there. Somewhat like the USA and allies bombing the ISIL!
Until today the rat zapper has done a great job. The idea of the Rid-a-Rat was to warn the rats off so they wouldn’t be killed.