As we do with all decisions in our household, the first order of business is to get a cocktail and sit down (preferably in the location of the problem) and discuss the details of the situation and list possible solutions.
The 'situation' in this case was not just rats. We have an ever growing chipmunk population in most of the yard surrounding the house and have seen evidence of mice in the garage and basement.
Possible solutions included but was not limited to:
- Trap and Release - the most humane, tho our success rate is limited (ok... practically non-existent)
- Bait and Kill Traps - neither of us like this solution
- Poison - nope nope... just nasty - can't do it
- Professional Exterminator - hmm, they will most likely use one of the solutions we have already decided against. Doesn't make it any better if someone else is doing the execution. Plus, there is the cost to consider
- Setting out a giant vat of beer - I was thinking they would fall in and drown ... happily drunk, kinda pleasant. (could be the result of discussing over cocktails)
- The Circle of Life - aha!
Tho the giant vat of beer did have my vote, my pragmatic wife thought a cat might make more sense.
A cat.
A cute, furry little cuddly cat.
This solution is not completely obstacle free:
- The FREE dog
- The cat will need to enjoy hunting in the great outdoors
- Oh and... Ferris AND my pet-lovin wife are both VERY allergic to cats
Ok, we have issues - tho they are not insurmountable.
Clearly - some research is in order.
...to be continued
10 comments:
Then what do you do with the cat AFTER it's had it's fill?? LOL
AND -- aren't you still killing it via proxy as with the exterminator?
What a quandry.
Sorry, the link didn't work in my first attempt.
Here's the solution--the hairless cat.
http://newcatsontheblog.blogsome.com/
Scroll down to the sphinx!
The FREE dog will love it.
Well, bully for you for trying to come up with a humane, nontoxic solution. I'm afraid the missus and I no more heard a scritch from the attic before we rang up an exterminator, only to pay a flat fee of a coupla hundred dollars to dispose of one silly old rat. And yes, I do feel bad that the rat had to die simply because we, who share our house with four other four-legged mammals, didn't so much want to share our home with one of the rodent variety. We suck.
If we lived closer, I'll bet Oliver would come over and lend a paw. :)
I understand your dilemma. However, I have decided to kill as they would only continue to multiply if relocated.It's neither fun nor pretty, but can certainly save you some money.
Set out enough beer, drink, and you'll be so drunk you won't care about the rats.
great vats of beer will attract great numbers of slugs. they like beer. the adore beer. they're happy to drown in beer. makes me glad i'm allergic to beer.
Kitty Litter had the perfect solution to both of our dilemma's. Fluffy will be glad to visit the last week of the month and take care of your problem :)
what you really need is a terrier or a Dashund. They both love to chase and/or quickly 'dispatch' rodents. My Dad's terrrier has either caught or scared away all chipmunks etc within a 5 block radius of his house in NH. Maybe he would lend him to you?
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