We live above a sheep farm so it didn’t take long for the rats of their hay barn to venture up and find our coop. It’s been a multi-year problem as I’ve never seemed to eradicate them each time I try. Then, we messed with their home nest and they retaliated by killing a hen. Now, it’s war. I’ve mounted a major defense. Here’s what I’m doing for 1-2 wks (1wk before and 1wk after a trip I’m taking), based on research from this site and others. Total spent: about $100. Will report back once done:
- Each night, put up feeders or make it impossible for rats to access (ex: hanging feeder was moved up 5ft higher, grandpa’s feeder has a brick placed on the lid because our rats know how to open it)
- Put out rodenator with peanut butter and feed as its bait (worth it. Have taken out hundreds of rats with this over the years. link: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/catchmor-ratinator)
- Buy a generator exhaust pipe extension and blast exhaust into rat holes for a couple hours at a time (you may see the smart ones run out when you do this- try to see where they run to so you can gas that hole next)
- Place a 50/50 mixture of jiffy cornbread mix and baking soda on pie plates near holes you suspect they still live in
- After repeating the above for a wk, the night before my trip (aka today), buy 3lb of Rat-X and pouring pellets in each hole you can find. Then, stuff the holes with steel wool until you can’t stuff it anymore (keeps rodents in and others out, including my curious chickens and goats)