jumpjunkie2004 0 #1 July 5, 2006 Several years ago, a developer decided to level the woods behind my house and build an assortment of houses and a shopping center. One day, I was on the phone with my cousin (the same one who freaks out about snakes), I looked out my window to see a parade of rats. They were walking along the inside of my fence and through my backyard to the neighbors backyard. The developers had plowed up the field and all the rats had to find new places to live. So, I was freaking out a little, "OH MY GOD, there is rat parade in my backyard." Next day, same thing. I personally think rats are yucky, but I didn't want to kill them. So, I go to Brookstone and I buy this animal deterrent thing. It was some sort of motion detector - it had flashing lights and made sounds to keep small things out of my yard. That night, I'm on the phone with my cousin (yes...we talk on the phone all the time) and I look outside and there is a group of rats watching the flashing lights. I say, "Oh my god, now there's a rat party in my backyard. It's like a little disco club for rats." We returned the item to Brookstone. The sales clerk asked us for the reason we were returning the item. We explained the situation. So, the guy writes on the return slip: Reason for return: Rats like it. I went out and bought rat poision. So...not only have I killed three snakes in my life (two of which were copperheads - hopefully no one has a problem with that), but I have killed at least a dozen rats.Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MF42 0 #2 July 5, 2006 LOL No problem with killing rats. They have no redeeming qualities that I'm aware of. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #3 July 5, 2006 QuoteNo problem with killing rats. They have no redeeming qualities that I'm aware of. A friend of mine had two pet rats - Maple and Brown Sugar. I never understood why on Earth she'd want pet rats, but she loved those little guys.Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #4 July 5, 2006 Geez all those rats and no .22 cal rifle? Are you sure you are an American? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #5 July 5, 2006 I'm an American, but I don't have precision aim. I probably would have just made holes in the fence : (Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #6 July 5, 2006 QuoteSo...not only have I killed three snakes in my life (two of which were copperheads - hopefully no one has a problem with that), but I have killed at least a dozen rats. so in the end, you probably saved the lives of many more rats than you killed. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aprilcat 0 #7 July 5, 2006 You can also line the fence with sponges filled with ammonia. Rats don't like the smell and they stay away from it. You may want to put this in your basement as a precautionary (sp) measure. And tell any stragglers the Disco has moved down to where you bought that flashing light~~April Camelot II, the Electric Boogaloo! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #8 July 5, 2006 I had a pet brown field rat as a kid...cool little guy. Somebody, I would guess Dad, got the bright idea that Frisky needed a mate so here comes this female white rat (The Biotch). She was a biter and nailed me more than once until she "accidently" ate some poison that was "accidently" left in her cage of seclusion. Problem solved.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richards 0 #9 July 5, 2006 Get a cat. Richards My biggest handicap is that sometimes the hole in the front of my head operates a tad bit faster than the grey matter contained within. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThunderCat 0 #10 July 5, 2006 I know a RAT!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #11 July 5, 2006 QuoteLOL No problem with killing rats. They have no redeeming qualities that I'm aware of. Not true - Denis Leary and Sly Stallone think they make good rat burgers.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waltappel 1 #12 July 5, 2006 I have a live trap and relocate them when I catch 'em, but you can feel good about killing them. Rats can have three litters per year--they reproduce at a very high rate and controlling their population needs to be an ongoing thing. Snakes are great for that, but of course that requires you to not kill the local snakes. Air rifles and .22 rifles are good for killing from a distance if you are a good shot. I don't put poison out because I am concerned about non-target animals getting into it. Walt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #13 July 5, 2006 QuoteI have a live trap and relocate them when I catch 'em, but you can feel good about killing them. Rats can have three litters per year--they reproduce at a very high rate and controlling their population needs to be an ongoing thing. Snakes are great for that, but of course that requires you to not kill the local snakes. Air rifles and .22 rifles are good for killing from a distance if you are a good shot. I don't put poison out because I am concerned about non-target animals getting into it. Walt 22 caliber Rat Shot - Love the stuff. BBs dond go far and don't cause harm unless it's almost point blank.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #14 July 5, 2006 I'm so torn.. b/w and He. He. That's a funny story... But, you killed harmless creatures... But the disco thing was funny... I'm fine with rats. Until recently, though, I'd never actually seen one in the wild. The only ones I've seen are at the Horror shows with the woman who has all her pet rats crawling all over her--doesn't seem like a big deal. Nothing scary there. But, the bagel shop I go to for breakfast every morning has a couple palm trees in their outside eating area. We go through the drive-though and pull around and watch---the rats climb up and down the palm tree when no-one is looking---as soon as someone walks out with our bagels, the rats dissappear. They're kinda cute, actually. I don't buy products tested on rats or any other animal for that matter.Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,584 #15 July 5, 2006 QuoteYou can also line the fence with sponges filled with ammonia.A guy I work with whose brother is in pest control said that his brother told him that human urine (especially women's) will repel most pests. So go pee on the fence . It's harder for girls I realize, but that's what makes it worth the effort Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,109 #16 July 5, 2006 >They have no redeeming qualities that I'm aware of. Well, they're better than chihuahuas. We had four rats for a while as pets. They were great. Endlessly amusing, and they liked most people. They were always happy to see us. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #17 July 5, 2006 I like you. A simple, safe, harmless way to control pests. Being that I have to pee ALL the time and have thus pee'd in numerous less than ideal locations, I would have NO problem peeing around my fence. I actually prefer peeing outside to a porto-let anyday!Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #18 July 5, 2006 QuoteQuoteYou can also line the fence with sponges filled with ammonia.A guy I work with whose brother is in pest control said that his brother told him that human urine (especially women's) will repel most pests. So go pee on the fence . It's harder for girls I realize, but that's what makes it worth the effort Wendy W. And so fun to watch - You could have a party . . . and a prize for s"tyle", one for "distance" and one for "least amount on the socks."I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yamtx73 0 #19 July 5, 2006 But that's not as much fun as picking them off with an air rifle... The only naturals in this sport shit thru feathers... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #20 July 5, 2006 Great suggestions for deterring the rats : ) If I ever have a problem again, I'm going to go outside and pee on the fence or try too : )Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yamtx73 0 #21 July 5, 2006 Just let us know when you do... gotta get pics... The only naturals in this sport shit thru feathers... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #22 July 5, 2006 Yes...PULLLLLEEEAASAE do that instead of poisen the poor fellows. Their habitat was just diminished. It's a sad time for them. Save the rats! Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #23 July 5, 2006 QuoteYes...PULLLLLEEEAASAE do that instead of poisen the poor fellows. Their habitat was just diminished. It's a sad time for them. Save the rats! They are RATS - Fuck 'em Waht if the next door neibor has a child and the kid wanders to the back yard and gets rabies cuz the rat bit him?I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MF42 0 #24 July 5, 2006 Come on, somebody's pet is an entirely different matter. We're talking about vicious, destructive, fast breeding parasites that have been a literal plague to mankind throughout history; they actually came close to wiping us out on at least one occasion. They ain't endangered, edible, useful, or attractive. They ain't harmless wild critters, quite the opposite. Kill the sumbitches. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #25 July 5, 2006 One of my friends had 2 rats for pets once, Chaos and Mayhem. They were pretty cool, friendly and liked people. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
