Rat Problem....And More

[FreestylePup]

So recently my neighbors cleaned up there yard of everything. There were mice and rats living there. Okay but they decided to migrate to our rabbit shed. Why would you not want to live there, food, water near by, airconditioning it's like a wild animals heaven. BUT I would not mind if they did not pose a risk to my bunnies. They get on top of the cages and pee and poop on my rabbits! I have had to clean the rabbbits up three seperate times. I HATE killing any animal, whether rodents or not. We have some live traps but my mom says to save that if like a cat starts attacking our rabbits or something and animal control can't find it. We don't want to hurt it of course. Anyway, but I kept trying to convince her that would be better and the rats and mice would not have to die. Well, she hates most rodents and especially rats and mice.
We got some traps *Ones that like snap them like a twig*. I talked her out of getting a glue trap (sickening). So she set it down. 20 minutes later she went to go check the traps. The rats are so smart. They like one of the traps clean, without making it pop. I have no idea how they did it. They made the other one pop but did not get trapped. She reset them and said if she does not get them by morning she is laying poisen down.
How can I convince her to use the humane trap. There is a great oasis about 20 miles away were no one lives and there is amble food and water for wild animals. *There's rabbits and stuff there*. So I imagine rodents can live there too? I really don't want to kill any animals especially such a smart animal.

[Jessss2008]

I owned rats and I apologize but this PISSES ME RIGHT OFF that someone would even THINK about doing that to a rat or mouse.

Glue traps and snap traps? Stick her in a glue trap/snap trap and see if she uses a humane one then!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On a more mature note, tell her : Look, although YOU don't enjoy rodents and they are being pests, they DO NOT deserve to die and you will pick up humane traps and deal with them to get them away. If she puts poison down, pick it up ASAP and throw it away elsewhere......tell her that YOU will take care of it but they do NOT deserve to die because SHE doesn't understand them. Grrrrrr.

[animallover7249]

I agree with Jess that this kind of stuff pisses me off beyond belief. I have pet rats sitting right next to my desk, too.
That said, you should have a mature conversation about it with her, but some people WONT change their opinions and you have to adapt other tactics to make them do what you want. Poison in your rabbit shed? aren't you always posting about rabbits who get out? and about a rabbit who lives outside but can come and go as he pleases? and she wants to lay poison down? does she not realize this will probably kill your rabbits?

[Glitterpixie]

Poison, glue traps and snap traps are all incredibly inhumane and poison poses a risk to other animals in the area.

Humane traps are the way to go. One of the best ways of getting rid of rats is to make life hard for them. Where's the food source? Find it and make it hard to get to. If they have any holes block the entrances so to make it hard to get out but not to trap them. If they feel hungry and unsafe they usually move on.

Rats do pose a fair risk to your rabbits - they can pass on fatal disease, parasites and there are caese of rats actually eating parts of live caged animals. Makes sure droppings and urine cannot drop into the cage and make sure youre rabbits can escape from any exposure they might have to the rats.

[FreestylePup]

I agree with Jess that this kind of stuff pisses me off beyond belief. I have pet rats sitting right next to my desk, too.
That said, you should have a mature conversation about it with her, but some people WONT change their opinions and you have to adapt other tactics to make them do what you want. Poison in your rabbit shed? aren't you always posting about rabbits who get out? and about a rabbit who lives outside but can come and go as he pleases? and she wants to lay poison down? does she not realize this will probably kill your rabbits?

We blocked everything off so he can't get anywere near the barn. We also got new latches *FINALLY*. I dunno if she caught anything yet and I don't want to check. Last time I saw a mouse in a snap trap I almost puked and I love rats more then mice so I probably will puke

[stanie]

As long as the rabbits are there, mice and rats will be there.
Catch them in live traps, theyll come back. Kill them, others will come.
I dont think there is any way you can prevent this.

[animallover7249]

As long as the rabbits are there, mice and rats will be there.
Catch them in live traps, theyll come back. Kill them, others will come.
I dont think there is any way you can prevent this.

She's had the rabbits in there for years, I think, and I'm pretty sure this is the first time shes mentioned a rat/mouse problem.

[FreestylePup]

We had a mouse problem I while back but my mom killed them all (I was not even home the week). But she killed one and set out poison They drug it in there hole almost imediatly so I am kinda sad about that. But I think they all ate it

[Jessss2008]

We blocked everything off so he can't get anywere near the barn. We also got new latches *FINALLY*. I dunno if she caught anything yet and I don't want to check. Last time I saw a mouse in a snap trap I almost puked and I love rats more then mice so I probably will puke

I suggest you go and save them if you love them so much.

This is not fair to the rats! Seriously go help them (and your bunnies) and if she keeps putting more stuff down, keep picking it back up! Please don't let her do this

[animallover7249]

What have you done to try to stop her? did you offer to buy the live traps yourself? to handle it yourself? did you explain to her WHY you dont want her to use poison or traps and how much it hurts you? we're not trying to be harsh, but both myself and Jess are rat lovers, we have both kept them as pets and known them personally. So it hits us even deeper to think about them being snapped to death or eating poison (which DOESNT kill them instantly) its wrong to kill any animal, of course, though, regardless if youve known that type of animal. Please please do all you can to get the poison and traps out of there. please buy some humane live traps, even if you have to hide them yourself in there where she wont see them and take them away yourself everyday.