[Railcruiser]

Has anyone had success getting rid of rats short of removing all palm and fruit trees around home . I thought we had finally solve the problem and have successfully caught too many this week in our traps set by company we use for lawn and termites.
There were a lot of good suggestions on here before. We have dogs so don't want to put poison out .

[gap2415]

We don't chase away feral cats and no longer have that problem. Better cats than rats. The ones with a clipped ear are fixed and have all shots. People who appreciate them leave out dry food in the a.m.! Take it in way before dusk so that other predators do t get it. Many disagree with this but many homeless kitties are not wild...someone just dumped them unfortunately. This way they get to live.

Ok....waiting for the backlash

[Railcruiser]

it won't be from me. We have not seen feral cats in our neighborhood for several years now . I would definitely take them over the rats

[Happinow]

Our lawn service, Masey, put bait traps out by our house for the rats. I wouldn't particularly blame palms for these pests, but that high grass that everywhere is a breeding ground for them too. It's planted everywhere. Pay attention to any food that is left out in your lanai...especially the gas grill if you have one. They smell the food on the grill and come after it. That's what happened to us. Our grill was on our lanai, the rats smelled it and chewed holes in two our our biggest screens to get to the grill. We have since moved the grill outside and haven't had a problem since. The rats still come around (we know this because they are eating the bait) but they don't come inside any more. The bait trap has fixed the problem. Get some bait traps. Rats are common here just like mice are up north. Just have to control them.

[Arctic Fox]

Wild animals will generally go where the feeding is easy, as long as they feel safe.

So remove any sources of food, and places for them to hide, and they will probably leave for somewhere more attractive.

[Jima64]

Doubt seriously if the feral cats are solving the rat problem. Rats get pretty darn big. Removing food sourcces works and the bait traps will make them look for water after eating the bait. There are bait boxes on the market that look like stones for those with nice landscaping.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Happinow

Our lawn service, Masey, put bait traps out by our house for the rats. I wouldn't particularly blame palms for these pests, but that high grass that everywhere is a breeding ground for them too. It's planted everywhere. Pay attention to any food that is left out in your lanai...especially the gas grill if you have one. They smell the food on the grill and come after it. That's what happened to us. Our grill was on our lanai, the rats smelled it and chewed holes in two our our biggest screens to get to the grill. We have since moved the grill outside and haven't had a problem since. The rats still come around (we know this because they are eating the bait) but they don't come inside any more. The bait trap has fixed the problem. Get some bait traps. Rats are common here just like mice are up north. Just have to control them.

This tells about Palm rats/roof rats in Florida.
Palm Rat | Control & Removal of Palm Rats | Catseye Pest Control

[HimandMe]

The rat that got into our garage wasn't a palm rat obviously, only a regular garbage rat about 5" long at most like an oversized mouse....good thing! ...but enough to startle me.

I don't care to see a 12-14" Palm rat!

Where are those coyotes when you need them!

[FosterMomma]

Yikes!

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by HimandMe

The rat that got into our garage wasn't a palm rat obviously, only a regular garbage rat about 5" long at most like an oversized mouse....good thing! ...but enough to startle me.

I don't care to see a 12-14" Palm rat!

Where are those coyotes when you need them!

Maybe we just need bigger cats!