Just something to keep in mind with the wire ideas, rats can fit through things that are the size of their head. If the head fits, the rest of the rat can too! That being said, perhaps some really tight wire? I've also personally had luck with decoys (I've got an owl who's head turns with the wind as though it's looking around, as well as a snake that looks ready to strike- the snake isn't realistic colors, but has a very realistic shape). I live right on a canyon so there are all types of critters out there (including things that eat rats and other possible pests like rabbits). We also get red tail hawks flying around. I like the idea of attracting more local predators to take care of the rats- owls especially for the evening hours as someone had mentioned. Perhaps if it gets really bad you can do something with motion detectors that active lights and/or jets of water? Just something to startle the rat off and make it think things aren't safe. I've heard of people doing that for larger things like raccoons, not sure if it would work with rats.

Well, it's time to break out my "Total Critter Control" book again. Unfortunately there aren't too many suggestions for deterring rats, but here is what I've got: Keep the grass mowed. High grass and heavy brush attracts a variety of animals. Use a seed-catcher beneath your bird feeder to prevent it from reaching the ground. Clean up pet food. Raise your woodpile by 15 inches to make it less hospitable to rats and mice for burrowing. Clean up and cover any litter. Keep bushes and trees trimmed so they don't touch the house. If you can, cut brush three feet back from side of house. Heavy vines and vine ground cover are also good cover for rats. Get rid of standing water. Metal trash cans are better than vinyl or plastic. Don't feed pets outside unless you clean up immediately. The book doesn't mention ducks at all, but it has some suggestions for geese, which may be helpful? Fencing, prickly shrubs or hedges may make a yard less desirable. When confined, they may feel more threatened than in an open area where they can detect predators. To save your grass, switch to a taller, less tasty variety. Other ground covers that irritate them include hosta, various kinds of ivy, and myrtle. Use dogs to harass ducks and geese into leaving. Sometimes "sound techniques" may work, like whistles, screaming machines, crackers and various banging devices. You can try visual devices like kites, which resemble eagles flying overhead. The Miniscare Windmill is a unique device that deflects ultraviolet light off its blades to repel birds. There are some fertilizers that taste disgusting to geese, and I would imagine ducks as well. Some, like Bobbex-G, have an ingredient that makes the repulsive taste stick to their beak.

"So, what was the outcome?" It is hard enough to get a large enough group of people posting frequently enough to have a lively worm forum. It is a bit more difficult to get a large enough group of people posting frequently enought to have a lively BSFL, ok, maggot, forum. The two or so very nice forums that already are on line eek out almost enough posts to keep the forums alive. They even generously include BSFL/Worm mixed composting. I like choice. So if the two fail to satisfy then a third on gardenweb would be great. Forums go through ups and downs. When one for any number of reasons looses posters, the posters vote with their feet. My kitchen waste only generates maybe two tablespoons full a week of purient waste unsuitable for a worm bin. If I had rabbits and fish to process then after using up every last bit from them the tiny unuseable bit I would BSFL compost. Except I am still afraid of my worms. I would have to work my way up to the really cool BSFL. I lurk at BSFL forums with lust in my heart. The sites are looking nice and shiny with tons of information. I would need some chickens to feed the harvest to.

I had a rat trapped in a small bedroom for over 8 days.I have a red cattle dog she has killed 18 in the last three months have a dirty house near by yard needs cleaning.Tried two traps (FACTORY TRAPS STANDARD) peanut butter and seeds nothing for 5 days.Tried ratsack took the packet nothing happened for 2 days.At night went along the bottom of the exit door destroying the woodwork AND MASSIVE HOLES IN THE CARPET to get out so I put a steel plate under door hoping he would take the bait.Sunday I made my own trap cost about three dollars.Got a board say 30cm x 30 cm covered in glue (wood working glue) then got gaffa tape. Covered the board in gaffa tape sticky side up then underneath the stuck with right side up to secure it.BOARD ABOUT 8MM THICK SO IT CAN STUCK UNDER THE DOOR IN WHERE THE RAT IS BUT 30MM UNDER DOOR (WHEN RAT GOES ON BOARD BOARD STAY'S STILL).Then in the middle one piece of dried dog food.Today we have a dead rat and please don't let the dog finish it off in the trap as you will have a bald dog.A very smart animal its a shame it's a pest.18/19 for the red dog