[Barefoot]

Same as justjim; lived in TV for ten years. We've never seen a rat, and never had a bird feeder.
However we have two dogs which may have something to do with it.

[Sgroemm]

I think it would be helpful if those who have seen or caught the rats, identify which village or area of the villages you are located in. I wonder if it is a localized problem or wide spread?

[jsw14]

Originally Posted by Sgroemm

I think it would be helpful if those who have seen or caught the rats, identify which village or area of the villages you are located in. I wonder if it is a localized problem or wide spread?

IDENTIFY,,,,,,Geeesss, Rat's can go anywhere they want too........

[manaboutown]

If one traps rats one might not want to throw them away. Apparently, in Bordeaux, alcoholic rats caught in wine cellars are treasured for their flavor. They are eviscerated, skinned and coated with olive oil and crushed shallots, then grilled over a fire of broken wine barrels. Yum!

Some recipes from around the world Cooking Rats and Mice

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by suesiegel

We do not have a bird feeder but, I recall reading that birds cannot taste hot pepper but squirrels can. The suggestion was to mix cyanne pepper with your bird seed.

I'm sure to get yelled at anyway. The article CLAIMS the pepper does not hurt the birds. A squirrel, is, well a RAT with a fuzzy tail.

I wonder if the birds feel any burn from the hot pepper when they excrete it...

[Sgroemm]

Rats form family groups and are territorial, especially common brown rats (also called Norway rats or Hanover rats.) They live in hierarchical groups. I think it would be helpful to pinpoint where we are seeing them. Personally I have not seen evidence of any in Rio Grande.

[Hopeful2]

Originally Posted by Sgroemm

I think it would be helpful if those who have seen or caught the rats, identify which village or area of the villages you are located in. I wonder if it is a localized problem or wide spread?

I am also wondering if it's a localized problem, versus wide-spread. We have lived here for four years - south of 466A, in Collier. We are on the water and we and many of our neighbors have palm trees. We have never seen a rat or evidence of one where we live; nor have our neighbors.

[Carl in Tampa]

OK, dear friends, I have the answer to "The Villages Rat Problem" if there is really such a problem.

1. Every home should have a Rat Terrier or some similar dog, such as a Jack Russell Terrier. These, active, feisty little dogs are (literally) death on rats.

Don't deceive yourselves that a cat will do.

2. Protect your garage, which cannot be sealed against entry by rodents, snakes, etc., by putting out rat poison or sticky traps, at your option. I prefer sticky traps. The poison or traps must be positioned so your dogs cannot get to them.

3. A trap in the attic, if you have access, would be a good idea as well. This is the most likely place that you might have a rat problem.

Do these three things and your house should be secure from rats. As far as it goes with rats outside, as someone has already observed about other wildlife: you are in Florida. Get used to it.

By the way. Keep your terrier on a leash whenever outside. The instinct to chase rats, squirrels, and other critters is very strong, and voice command would likely not be sufficient restraint.

(Terriers need a lot of exercise. Walking them daily would probably be good exercise for you too.)

Whoever said "you can't buy love" never owned a dog.

.

[manaboutown]

But thy are so cute! Adorable rat portraits look to remove stigma attached to rodents

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Sgroemm

I think it would be helpful if those who have seen or caught the rats, identify which village or area of the villages you are located in. I wonder if it is a localized problem or wide spread?

I spoke to three different people from my Pest Control Company. they all confirmed it is a " community "problem vis a vis "a select village problem. they explained that they can't keep the bait boxes filled fast enough.

My wife believed I was making too much of this and laughed when I complained that she was leaving the garage door up too long; that is until she happened on one in our yard. Since then it has been a joint and continuous campaign of prevention and eradication

I suspect the reason some people have not spotted these critters is because a) they are not really looking', b) those who have have bait boxes

Look at the layout of TV, its trees, thick vegetation approximate closeness of homes, expansion, mild winters and its a recipe for a perfect storm

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

If you can't beat 'em, eat 'em.

( Forgive my lapse but I can see his face but momentarily forget his name). However he was one of Nixon's staff that went to prison during the the Nixon Watergate scandal and when he was released became a celebrity with a radio talk show.

A movie on his life was made and two unforgettable events presented to define who he was as a person.As a boy he climbed a tree during a heavy lightning storm daring God to strike him dead. And again as a boy decided to go to his basement, catch rats and eat them because he was afraid of them and did not want to be afraid of anything.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by rubicon

( Forgive my lapse but I can see his face but momentarily forget his name). However he was one of Nixon's staff that went to prison during the the Nixon Watergate scandal and when he was released became a celebrity with a radio talk show.

A movie on his life was made and two unforgettable events presented to define who he was as a person.As a boy he climbed a tree during a heavy lightning storm daring God to strike him dead. And again as a boy decided to go to his basement, catch rats and eat them because he was afraid of them and did not want to be afraid of anything.

Good morning sir. Trying to not think of rat eating.

Thoughts this morning are of Irma.

I don't like rats but I dislike category 5 Hurricanes more. Do we take the kitties and get out of Dodge?

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

OK, dear friends, I have the answer to "The Villages Rat Problem" if there is really such a problem. Every home should have a Rat Terrier or some similar dog, such as a Jack Russell Terrier. These, active, feisty little dogs are (literally) death on rats. Don't deceive yourselves that a cat will do.
Protect your garage, which cannot be sealed against entry by rodents, snakes, etc., by putting out rat poison or sticky traps, at your option. I prefer sticky traps. The poison or traps must be positioned so your dogs cannot get to them.
A trap in the attic, if you have access, would be a good idea as well. This is the most likely place that you might have a rat problem.

Good idea to get a dog. Bad idea to take dog to a Shelter when the rats are gone.
Don't get a dog because you have rats -- you have to love animals, dogs are a lot of work.
Sticky traps are inhumane and horrible.
No-one wants rats invading their home, the professionals use bait boxes. Good idea about the attic.

[John_W]

Originally Posted by rubicon

( Forgive my lapse but I can see his face but momentarily forget his name). However he was one of Nixon's staff that went to prison during the the Nixon Watergate scandal and when he was released became a celebrity with a radio talk show...

Would it be G. Gordon Liddy? I moved here from Abingdon, Maryland and G. Gordon Liddy lived in Abingdon from 2001 to 2006. I looked up the info on him when I kept seeing him around town, he had such an unmistakable face. I had a business that required I go to the post office everyday and I would see him there at least once a week. We also took my mother once a week to Bob Evans and would see Mr. Liddy there as well. I don't know why he picked out that town, it was a good ways from Washington, not distance wise but heavy traffic. Abingdon is about 20 miles northeast of Baltimore. He looked exactly like his photos, always a very stern look and well dressed, not someone I would want to have a scuffle with even though he was about 75 at the time.

[LadyPenO]

Citrus tree fruits also attract rats and other nuisance animals. So be safe and put the traps down before rats are in our homes.