repel rats

There is a rat invasion in the outskirts of Chapala. To be fair we live in the country surrounded by fields and pasture land. The rancher next door says this is the worst they have been in a long time. He put out poison which forced us to keep our one indoor/outdoor cat inside for almost 2 weeks. The other cats only go in the back yard. We cut all the branches that overhung the house so they are not on the roof anymore. My problem is that they get in the back yard and drive the dogs crazy. Obviously I do not want to use poison because of the animals. I have a chain link set in concrete around the yard. Does anyone have a proven suggestion to repel rats and/or discourage them from coming in through the chain link? I can't move, I need a solution for this house/yard. Thank you

Go to a proper farm supply store and buy the rat bait stations which only rats, mice and small squirrels can get into (sorry squirrels, we are at war here). They have plastic key to lock them shut (from kids), are staked to the ground, and the bait often has a hole in it where a wire rod makes sure the baits cannot be shaken out.

Are the rats gray and big, or dark, and like the high wires?

we don't get rid of them .... our cats love em....

when they thin out the population too much...

they go to the field in the back, and bring a few home

Chillin, is the bait something that if my one predator cat can be hurt by if he catches a rat that has been in the bait? My biggest concern is that a poisoned rat will be caught by my cat or one of the dogs and be poisoned second hand.

Hockables, the rats have reached epic proportions and the cat isn't making a dent anymore. Up until now he kept the compound rat free as well as the grain supply of the rancher next door. Even the rancher said it was too much for Toscano (our cat) to keep up with.

I have seen both kind of rats, the larger grey and the small dark.

natbug wrote:Chillin, is the bait something that if my one predator cat can be hurt by if he catches a rat that has been in the bait?  My biggest concern is that a poisoned rat will be caught by my cat or one of the dogs and be poisoned second hand.

Probably. You would have to train them not to eat dead rats. I have found that the animal which mostly eats dead rats is other rats. I know farmers who reliably train dogs not to eat live chickens, something to do with a tethered chicken and a 12 volt battery. As you know, many farmers both here and the north, would have working dogs and cats which I am sad to say are rather expendable.

I don't think a Cat will eat a dead carcass... not sure about a Dog...

Try something like this....

https://youtu.be/Mb0tDJpgrpQ

Thatz an ole farm trick... works on mice and gophers as well...

5 gal pail with 1 gal water... throw in some grain as bait... never seen a can used...

HA ha lunateak - I like that one, I'll bet even Wily Coyote would fall for that one.

You could also take the next step into full blown country life AND find a rewarding new hobby. Buy a .22 calibre pellet rifle, with a night scope, sit on the back porch with appropriate adult beverages, and like minded friends, and plink away. This would also work with Bullfrogs - which local fisherman have begun to farm on the Lake, anticipating a strong local market for frog's legs.

Ahhh, Chillin', the memories of plinking pests!

So the bucket thing looks pretty good. Think I'll ask the rancher if he minds if I put it out on the other end of the pasture. That might draw them away from his grain and my yard both.

you have to provide an easy access ( walkway ) to the top of the pail...

the water prevents them from jumping back out... fill it about 8" deep

will do, thanks for the info

hockables wrote:we don't get rid of them  .... our cats love em....

when they thin out the population too much...

they go to the field in the back, and bring a few home        

Hockables can I borrow your cat:)

I saw a rat walking down the main street of San Juan Cosala in broad daylight yesterday afternoon. Thought that was odd in day time.

simpsca wrote:I saw a rat walking down the main street of San Juan Cosala in broad daylight yesterday afternoon. Thought that was odd in day time.

Now that is getting really personally insulting.  

Ooops....I just noticed you didn't mention any names or how many legs he was walking on.  
Sorry