Rodents under my deck

[CottonEyedHorn]

I say rodents because I'm not 100% what they are. Here's what I do know:
-They have dug several small holes around the perimeter of the deck for access. They dig again when I block the old ones off
- They are definitely active because they drive my dog nuts (barking at the deck, etc.)
- I *think* they are brownish in color, maybe 6" long or so. I saw one scampering back underneath last night at dusk.

What do I have... field mice? Rats? How do I eliminate these suckers without jeopardizing my dog and my kids (ie. poison). Should I lay out a trap one evening (dog sleeps inside) to try and catch one, so I know what I'm dealing with?

 

[bevo_daddy]

The first step would be to definitely lay out a trap and see what you got first.

 

[alden]

Probably rats. Raccoons and possum are the other possibilities, but those are a lot bigger. Just be glad they're outside your house.

Definitely don't go the poison route. And make sure any traps you set up won't attract the neighbor's cat or anything like that. Rats like peanut butter, BTW.

 

[CottonEyedHorn]

alright, I went and picked up a couple traps... will report back when I catch'un

 

[kmac30]

i've got mice in my basement. put out sticky traps saturday and came up with 2 on sunday morning. there's at least one more down there, but he seems smarter than the others.

the sticky traps work well, but they'll probably still be alive when you find them. gotta make a decision what you're going to do with them. that said, sticky traps worked best for me.

 

[CottonEyedHorn]

ok, I saw one up close. I'm 99% sure it's a brown rat, like this one.

 

[coopntex]

T-REX

 

[El Paso Way]

If you have a friend that hunts, he more than likely owns a game camara, which are activated by motion to photo game in the field which you could use. I think I would want to make sure of what it was before I killed it.

 

[accuratehorn]

Snakes eat rats, maybe you could bring in a few for rodent control purposes.

 

[CottonEyedHorn]

Woohoo! I finally caught one in a trap... sorry, no pics

Savvy little buggers. I've come out in the morning to see either one of the traps tripped but no body, or untripped but the food gone.

and yes, it's definitely a Norwegian rat.

 

[Jellydonuts]

"and yes, it's definitely a Norwegian rat."

We had these years ago and they were too big for those sticky traps. You might consider getting a professional to get rid of them and make sure your house is properly sealed. With Winter approaching they will be looking to come inside.

 

[BigWill]

In reply to:

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[Horn9497]

I bought a rat zapper last year based on a recommendation on this board. They work well and are a lot of fun.

 

[l00p]

Two words, one solution.

BLACK. MAMBA.

Yer welcome.

 

[lostman]

If you use a hot glue gun to put a piece of dog food on the snap trap, you will most definitely catch the little buggers.