RATS!

RATS! i have a Rat or two eating 3 of my plants. i noticed the other say that one one plant i have that started to show a little purple is not perky anymore. and then i come into the patch this morning and she is all droopy and yellow.....:( closer examination on the stock you can see its being chewed. and the plant next to it in the same trench is gettin chewed but hasnt showed signs of death but it probably will by tomorrow. i already lost a full plant to a rat and they are workin on 3 more now. so these will be the 2nd 3rd and 4th that they have got. I set traps but the rats not interested in peanutbutter he would rather eat my pot stocks....lil Bast**d so does anybody have better ideas on how to get rid of rats? thats the question here? also i have noticed that the rats are not going after the big plants but more so the little 3-4 foot low ryder kinda plants? is there something i can like paint on the plant stock that will deter that rat and hopefully save it till harvest? because she looks horrible right now and its such a shame to see her die like this.....:(

are you sure its a rat or possibly a beaver...put a cage around it chicken wire type of stuff

You probably have a lot more than you think. The rats attack plants for two reasons. Either the plant is dropping seeds (not likely) or they chew a chunk of stem and drink the juice that weeps out. So they are thirsty.

Get some rat bait (wafrin based) and give them that and a container of water. In a few days some will die and that should discourage the rest.

Yes, to the chicken wire idea....get the smallest holes, not the 1/2 inch stuff. I have to put these "collars" around my tomato plants in the summer when the gophers decide to jump above ground and gnaw the stalks of my plants. I plant all my tomatoes and veggies in wire baskets so they can't get them from underground but then many years I have to use the tall wire "collars" and also sprinkle around some Uncle Ian's squirrel and rodent deterrent around the base of the plants (it's mostly dried blood, yuck). You can buy the stuff at Lowe's.

Also, if the one that is chewed still has some stalk with the outside part you can wrap it in duct tape or electrical tape to seal it off and give it some strength, the same way you would in grafting plants. Then try one drop of Super Thrive in your watering can might also help it survive.

OH YEAH! forgot about the superthrive. i usually use it on my little girls but that should help them bounce back! i wrapped them stalks and any damage i could see and ill super thrive them tonight. still yellow and droopy... but time will tell

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Originally Posted by oldhaole

You probably have a lot more than you think. The rats attack plants for two reasons. Either the plant is dropping seeds (not likely) or they chew a chunk of stem and drink the juice that weeps out. So they are thirsty.

Get some rat bait (wafrin based) and give them that and a container of water. In a few days some will die and that should discourage the rest.

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i know i have more then one. their is propbaly a nest within the manzanita brush around the plot probaly with a family or two...kinda sucks but its the first year they have every messed with this garden so it must be a new nest i dont want to poison the rats because that can go up the food chain and i like my animals.

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Originally Posted by middieman440

are you sure its a rat or possibly a beaver...put a cage around it chicken wire type of stuff

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naw...no beaver i live in the hills with little creeks but nothing big enough for a beaver.

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Originally Posted by middieman440

are you sure its a rat or possibly a beaver...put a cage around it chicken wire type of stuff

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wont a rat climb right over it???

The just give them the water.

I will keep the rat lecture to myself. KILL THEM ALL!!!!!

LSY likes to use steel wool around the stem. He swears by it. Nugs is also right. Superthrive is a great idea. And wrap the damaged stem.

Establish a rat feeding and watering station in the bush. If you keep them fed and watered they will leave your plants alone.

And that is some of the worst advise I have given in a while :D