I used to watch a show on the Discovery channel called Verminators. I'd still watch it except it comes on after midnight now! When the Verminators crew were called to exterminate rats they point out trees too close to the house or ivy growing up the house and I learned that rats like to live in ivy. We have ivy on our biggest cedar tree in the back yard. We didn't plant it and its been getting higher and higher. I've been telling my husband I want it down because its not good for the tree and I'm worried about rats because of watching Verminators. He didn't give much attention to the rats debate but wanted the ivy off the tree before it causes health issues. I was outside while he was pulling off most of the ivy but went back in the house before he finished. A little later he came inside and said he was almost finished and he heard this eek eek noise and looked down and saw he was standing on a rat nest in the ivy he was pulling out. Lets just say they aren't there any more! I am terrified of rats so I thought I'd get the word out there for anyone who hasn't been watching Verminators that you might want to think twice about having ivy growing on your property. Rats! Yuck!
Sounds like roof rats, 'rattus rattus.' They like to live in high places off the ground. While the nest was located in the ivy I would be concerned as to why they lived there. Roof rats typically forage in an area of 250-300 feet of their nest location. Awareness and protection of potential food sources are a first line in prevention. As the name implies agile climbing roof rats find arial entry as easy ingress to food sources. Always be aware, the eradication of one nest has eliminated a potential problem. It should also make you more vigilant. Jerry
Jerry - the rat nest was in the ground in the ivy, not in the tree! Husband said they were normal grey rats. We live 2 blocks from a creek and about a mile from the barn area of the local racetrack so rats are not uncommon in the area but fortunately not making their presence known - except maybe at the racetrack! The only trees growing close to the house - about 12 feet away - are apple trees and we are very diligent about trimming the branches so rats or squirrels can't use them to get into the house or attic. I watched too many episodes of Verminators then put their plan into action around here. Even put traps up in the attic just in case but fortunately nothing is living up there. Husband found a rat nest in the carport when we moved in 4 years ago and that was the last time we've seen them around. Can't stand them! My husband is a big game hunter. He specializes in wasps and rats!
Cumadin baits, "Bar bait" is one. You may want to think about something prophylactive that kills rats. Have-A-Heart traps and a barrel of water works too.
Here's the before and after pics of the cedar tree and ivy. Trimming the big cedar tree in back yard ( photo / image / picture from whistler's Garden ) Cedar tree no ivy ( photo / image / picture from whistler's Garden )
Coppice - we used to live on acreage and had rats in the hen house. We had a black box and put poison in it so the rats could go in and get it but not our animals. We found it in the shed today and set some poison in it and put it under the stairs because our dogs seem kind of interested in that area. So maybe there are some friends/relatives of the ones my husband dispatched. Yuck!
Rats! to the Rats. They are so distugisting, we had them several times at the Flower shop where I worked. They would eat all the petals off any flowers we did not put away for the night in the cooler. Sunflowers, mums, & lilies were often left out to open more fully, but that had to end with the rats, poison finally got rid of them, but the bad smell almost did us in.
I hope those black king snakes living in and around my yard get them all... They love to eat rodents, and they are welcome to all of them.
