Rat-chewed saddle
 

I recently purchased a new saddle for my bike but what I had failed to remember was that my garage was becoming infested with rats. I installed the new saddle, left the bike in the garage, and found myself pissed off the next day.

I at first was an advocate of a humane way of rat removal.

Now I want revenge.

They chewed my brake hood too. Why would they do that?! It's rubber!

Rats are omnivores... They eat anything, including steel and concrete.

They are too prolific to try to eradicate with traps and poison. You need to instill in them the desire to quarter elsewhere. Find yourself an ultrasonic pest device. The rats hearing is much more sensitive than a humans and to a much higher frequency. They respond well to this.

I've got one of those and no rodents.

as opposed to your horse?


the ultra sonic thing sounds like it would work

If they are pack rats turn your lights on and keep em on.

Revenge? Okay.

You need two bowls. In one, you put a half-and-half mixture of portland cement powder and flour, in the other, you put plain water. The rats eat the concrete/four, and then get thirsty and drink the water. The concrete solidifies in their intestines in about 12 hours.

You'll want to remove any you find however--after ~3 days when they have died, but before they totally start rotting....
~

This is how a number of the farmers in Manitoba take care of their rat problems. Or a variation on it ... a bowl of wet cement with sugar in it ... rats eat it ... concrete solidifies, etc. etc.

I qualified as a pest control agent in California years ago. A point in fact, I maxed out the 100 question test. A: You need to find why the rats like to live in your area and eliminate the reason(s). Generally they have found food and shelter. I have even found rats eating human feces that had a high level of undigested corn meal in it. B: Block their access to the property/home. Fine steel wool or "Brillo" pads shoved in the holes if you can't afford repair work. C: Clean up the grounds around any homes or structures. Thick ground cover against the walls is a no no. D: Yes, properly used, poisoned baits can work just fine. E: Call your local Vector Control agent, usually a County agency, and ask for help.

How about this: Electrify the bike at night.

+2 on a dog bred for ratting. We moved into our new house and ours found four rats (and one stupid squirel) within the first six months (on the property not in the house thank god). Since then, no signs of rats (and the squirels keep their distance).

Needless to say, rats don't necessarily die out it the open so you can pick them up. You might find yourself scratching your head wondering.... "Here's where it smells bad, but how am I going to get this thing out?!"

But payback is nice

I've never used one, but Consumer Reports says the ultrasonic things are bogus. My problem is skunks; leaving a light and maybe a radio on in the detached shed I use as a shop keeps them out.

Get a bike hanger that you stick on the roof and problem solved with your bike damages.