Master Gardener: Rats can do a lot of damage around home, garden

I hear owls screeching multiple times each night. I also have a cat that kills and dismembers rats on a fairly regular basis.

Thank you for pointing out the dangers of using poison, and for focusing on the only long term solution that works--prevention and exclusion.

Consumers also need to be wary of Pest Control Operators who will claim that the type of rodenticides they use do not cause secondary poisoning. ALL rodenticides cause secondary poisoning. This is includes warfarin, brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone and diphacinone. If you have hired a pest control operator to help with a rodent problem, insist that they do not use poisons. It won't solve your rodent problem and creates havoc on the environment

Us Rodents can do more good than bad if treated with respect, and understanding.

Long live the Rodent Revolution!

I have two cats that eat their share of rats. We have no rat problem. The neighbors down the street have a yearly infestation. But, we live in Marin, where cats are supposed to be indoors only and fed organic cat food, dontcha know? Don't tell anyone your cats actually do what cats were born to do...hunt rodents...or you will be branded an ignorant savage.

and hells angels are the worst kind of rats

Raymond don't you have court daTE TO TALK ABOUT YOUR 911 CALL?

The statement that "Native wood rats (genus Neotoma) are generally not pests" is not true, at all. I've had wood rats nest in my car engines, eat wiring, and cause several thousand dollars worth of engine damage (mostly wiring). Just talk to any mechanice in Marin and they will verify this. Wood rats have eaten the fruit off my trees, devastated my vegtables, and even denuded (I'm not kidding) my roses and other new trees I've planted. I know this because I've found the fruit, vegies, and cuttings in their nests (which I attempt to destroy when possible), and I've identified the dead rats I've caught. They might be "cute" and "natural" but around my house on the slopes of Mt. Tam, there is a constant battle. Now, don't even get me started on voles...

Jerry wrote:

The statement that "Native wood rats (genus Neotoma) are generally not pests" is not true, at all. I've had wood rats nest in my car engines, eat wiring, and cause several thousand dollars worth of engine damage (mostly wiring). Just talk to any mechanice in Marin and they will verify this. Wood rats have eaten the fruit off my trees, devastated my vegtables, and even denuded (I'm not kidding) my roses and other new trees I've planted. I know this because I've found the fruit, vegies, and cuttings in their nests (which I attempt to destroy when possible), and I've identified the dead rats I've caught. They might be "cute" and "natural" but around my house on the slopes of Mt. Tam, there is a constant battle. Now, don't even get me started on voles...

Maybe You, and those troublesome Rats should meet at the Whitehouse for a beer, and work Your little problems out.
It seems to be the current trend.

The puzzle of what why my lobelia never produced flowers was solved when I actually saw a rat munching on plantings on a deck outside my home. Still having trouble identifying which of the two rats listed here, I have already decided which route I am taking to solve the problem.
(I also saw evidence in a basement of some rodent, this the same week).
Never, ever should one use poisons on animals. Period. Still shocked that these hideous products are sold over the counter, I find it even more upsetting that my local newspaper is casually mentioning poison in its article on rodent problems. Two sentences do mention random danger of cats and dogs eating poison by mistake. However it neglects to mention the extent of this poisoning which can include the poisoned animal being consumed by other animals including large birds, pet dogs and more.
Please do take responsibility for informing Marinites the method by which these poisons kill animals. The fact that they act as anticoagulants resulting in total organ collapse and slow hideous death by "bleeding out" should help consumers decide firmly against their use. One of my rescue Persian cats died that way (as a result of exposure to a pyrethrin-based "organic" product that had not been watered into the grass), and I will forever be haunted by the sight of seeing a little animal having "bled out".
Instead, I have researched extensively and now bought electronic repellent units that utilize two types of electronic waves imperceptible to humans and pets. And thanks to you and this article, I am going to pursue boxes for owls and right away! Thank you for that.