I posted a variation of this on my Facebook page more than a year ago. It is a very popular post and posting here will hopefully reach a larger audience. I’m finally posting here after another Bald Eagle in our town has succumbed to rat poison. Please share this with people who might find it useful.

DO NOT USE RAT POISON.

Rat poison is killing the free exterminators (hawks, owls, eagles, fox, coyote and others). It makes no sense to kill the animals that killing the rats.

Getting some traps and a bait box is a good way to start trying to control rats without investing much time or money. Check and rebait traps a few days/week.

If you’re seeing evidence of rats, take action. If you haven’t take a few moments to consider appropriate actions, as outlined below.

A few logical steps to prepare, even if you’ve never had a problem include:

-Double-check that all potential food sources such as compost bins and trash cans are well-sealed to exclude animals.

-Remind neighbors that bird feeders are an easily accessible source of food, are very attractive to rats and that native plants are both a better source of food for birds and less attractive to rats.

-Redouble efforts to trap rats or use other non-poison methods, and check traps frequently.

A variety of non-poison methods are available, including:

-The A24 self-resetting rat trap. Expensive, but requires no attention for up to 6 months. If you purchase this trap, I encourage you to please purchase “blocker” as well. Without the blocker, raccoons, skunks and opposum can get their small paws or long noses up into the trap. The blocker prevents this.

–Snap or T-Rex type traps in locations children and other critters such as raccoons, opossum, skunks and others won’t get to, such as sheds.

-Placing those T-Rex style traps in bait stations. (This system is fast, easy and inexpensive.) Bait stations are designed to be used with poison but some are large enough to hold traps. The bait station excludes children and other critters but is large enough for rats to enter. Make sure you purchase a box large enough to hold T-Rex style traps.

-Also for dry locations away from children and other animals, battery operated electronic rat zappers kill quickly with an electric jolt.

-Dry ice poured into the burrow of rats is a great way to kill them where they are. As it sublimates, the dry ice releases CO2 as a gas and puts the rats to sleep before asphyxiating them. It isn’t difficult but caution is required, so consider doing some research first. Locally, dry ice is available at Acme Ice in Cambridge.

(While the above links are mostly to Amazon, that is for simple viewing only – these products are available other places, including many local hardware stores.)