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Re: Rat info
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:08 am
by BruceS
Not a good idea Norman........... might catch the Kingston Rat next time he happens by..........
I bet the rat is waiting for some yummy cherries?
Friends up here in Morgan are having trouble with Frill-neck Lizards nipping off the strawberries & beans...
Re: Rat info
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:45 am
by Dot
Sorry to those that think it might be a native rat but I am not going to sit about waiting to see if I can see it. A rat is a rat and that is that. Also can't afford to be "startled" if it runs out when I am shuffling about the garden, my back is more important to me than any rat so a trap tonight it is.
Re: Rat info
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 5:57 pm
by supersparky
Dot, What are you going to bait the trap with? I usually use pumpkin seeds or peanut butter.
Re: Rat info
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 6:22 pm
by Dot
It will be an almond with peanut butter topping
Re: Rat info
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 6:24 pm
by supersparky
Never tried almond before, is it successful?
Re: Rat info
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 6:33 pm
by Dot
Yep because they have to give the almond a good tug then whammo, works very well with the mice.
Re: Rat info
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 4:19 pm
by GregnDee
Good luck with the rat trap Dot! I can't stand the things and we'll be visiting you soon!
Re: Rat info
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 6:08 pm
by Dot
Not a nibble last night, try again tonight. hmmmm story of my life
Re: Rat info
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 1:44 am
by Greynomad
Dot,
The easy way to tell the Native Rat from Rattus Rattus (Norwegian Black Rat) is the Native one has a pear-shaped body and a fat tail which tapers. The Norwegian has an ovoid body and the tail is just about uniform thickness for its full length.
(Info from Park Ranger at SA Native Rat Sanctuary/Breeding Project.)
Re: rat baits.
DO NOT use them in open spaces!!!
I tried to bury one under an ornamental pond in our yard. Shoved it down a mouse-hole. In the time it took me to turn around & grab the hose to refill the pond our Beagle had dislodged the fibreglass pond, dug out the poison tablet & bolted with it. Our Lab decided he wanted some of this prize, & bit half of it out of Beagle's mouth.
Net cost @ vet's: $800! (Stomach pumping & antidote injections - by two!)
Traps are safer, but monitor them
daily for unintended by-catch of wildlife.
Re: Rat info
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 5:53 pm
by BruceS
Must be rat season?
Watched a chap pulling his yabby pots & half of them had dead water rats in them.
Seems if you're lucky enough to catch a yabby the mungrels beat you to it?