So much for rodent proof garage door bottom seal

[MasterSolenoid]

If inside the garage, I'd try Glue Traps / I've used them outside (no luck), they load-up with leaves.
The ones for rats are larger in size.
Maybe a little peanut butter in the center.

If it's mice, you want to put the traps along the wall.
That's how mice travel to feel safe / don't like being in an open area.

When you trap what ever it is, remember to post a trophy photo.

An outdoor video camera would be nice to determine what your dealing with.
An Exterminator would look for droppings.
https://www.pantherpestcontrol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/mice-rat-droppings.jpg

 

[Donald]

I have 4 glue traps and 6 rat snap traps, several mouse traps and one Havaheart trap. Spread around the garage. No food in garage (like bird or dog food) except in metal garbage can.

No activity last night.

Maybe its dead. It cannot get out without walking across a glue trap.

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted by Donald
. . .
I heat the garage with electric heat so my dog can sleep in it. So the gaps waste energy.

Wait a minute -- your dog is out there when this is happening??? You need to have a serious talk with that pooch! Or consider that whatever IT is, IT may be scaring your dog -- itself a scary thought!

And amen to the camera idea. At least you'll get to see what a rat flipping you the bird actually looks like. Seriously though, I too think it's time to call a pro. That thing isn't just trying to get into the house -- it's laughing at you (and your poor dog) and knowing it'll be in your kitchen cupboards, probably sooner rather than later.

I too want to see the trophy pics at the end!

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted by Donald
I have 4 glue traps and 6 rat snap traps, several mouse traps and one Havaheart trap. Spread around the garage. No food in garage (like bird or dog food) except in metal garbage can.

No activity last night.

Maybe its dead. It cannot get out without walking across a glue trap.


Donald! The call -- it's coming from INSIDE the house! Sleep well!

 

[Donald]

Got him on camera. Did not like any of my glue traps surrounding bag of bird seed.

I have snap traps with peanut butter, Havahart with peanut butter, glue traps with peanut butter.

This rodent does not like peanut butter obviously. No bait is taken. Traps are not snapped.

What other bait??

 

[zorobabel]

Try insects or sausage? Put something different in every trap. Maybe some of that door seal

 

[Donald]

Can a 9 lb cat easily take care of the rat in the picture?

 

[ekpolk]

Depending upon how much you like your cat, maybe you should reverse that question! Seriously, though, if the rat has stayed one step ahead of your countermeasures used thus far, maybe it is time to bring in a pro. Good luck!

 

[cjcride]

Bacon fat.

At least he's staying away from your motor oil.

 

[Donald]

I have 3 steps from house to garage. I have Havahart, glue and snap traps under this little stairway. The motion detection clips from camera show the rat under the little stairway.

For about $50 I could cover the entire area under the little stairway with glue traps.

I have many things to work on besides trying to trap the rat.

 

[Donald]

I had a professional come over and look around and the quote was for $600 for 3 visits. But if the rat is not caught in 3 visits it will cost more. I will keep trying for a little while longer.

They suggested I move things around so the rat is forced to try new paths, etc.

Thats in opposition to letting a rat get comfortable with surroundings and and eventually the rat will try out a trap and get caught.

Another suggestion was to never touch traps (even new) or bait with your hands as to not leave any human scent on trap or bait.

And to bait trap once or twice without setting it. Then set it.

 

[doitmyself]

Donald, here's a pdf of our commercial applicator Vertebrate Pest Management manual. The rat section starts at about page 31. Study the rat habits section to learn about your adversary, then the control section.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/uploads/files/TrainingManuals_Vertebrates/Vertebrate_MinusAppenG.pdf

Some tidbits:
- opposite of mice, rats have neophobia - fear of anything new (traps)
- rats prefer high protein food-meat, fish,insects, pet food, etc.
- Rats NEED water EVERY day (consider liquid poison)? hope it doesn't die in a wall

Man, good luck with this. I would try other types of snap traps also - the traditional wood ones.

 

[Donald]

I have had no luck so far and have yet to see more than one rat in my motion activated video. The rat goes near traps but never touches them.

I have some new traps and will bait and set them with gloves so as to not place any human scent on the trap or bait.

Ordered some liquid rat poison. Rat may have horded food but still needs water. So the water for the rat will be poison water.

The Wyze camera was a great suggestion. It was $25 or so and I can see the rat and am now moving it around to see where the rat is hanging out.

 

[MasterSolenoid]

It's good you now know what your dealing with / a rat.
You still need to post the Trophy Photo when caught.

My Brother worked in a warehouse and had to do rodent control.
He said mice are stupid, as in, easy to trap.
But the rats, were very smart.

You could be right that it's hoarding food.
I like the idea of poisoned water / just watch any pets you have.

I bought some Have-A Hart Traps (tied a string to them) and dragged them thru the grass to remove any scent.
I have since caught alot of rabbits.

Trapping Rats Info
http://www.havahart.com/rat-baits

 

[DoubleWasp]

I have always found bacon to be the most effective rat bait. They can't resist it.

 

[Donald]

I finally caught the rat in a Havahart trap. Released on my way to work in another state. Peanut butter bait.

Let's hope it was a single rat.

Will put bag of bird seed on garage floor overnight with camera pointed at it.

 

[PimTac]

He'll be back.

 

[Donald]

Since my last post, no evidence of more than the one rat. Bags of bird seed left on garage floor are untouched.