My husband and I are avid bird types. We have nearly a dozen bird feeders of various shapes and sizes, and as the house finches, gold finches, juncos, Steller's jays and chickadees return for spring, we've found that we have several unwanted guests as well.
Because the birds are slobs who spill food all over the ground, at least three rats have taken up residence under our deck. Yesterday I insisted we get rid of them, even though I knew that whatever we did would put my beloved squirrels at risk.
See, I know it's illogical, because squirrels are also rodents. But they're cute, and they don't come into our house or garage, and they're not mean and don't chew everything up like the rats do. I often feed the squirrels peanuts just so I can watch them.
We bought some jumbo rat traps and baited them with peanut butter yesterday. By late in the afternoon, BINGO! We'd nailed Mr. Rat good. I had no problem dumping him in the garbage. Two more traps were left under the deck overnight, and when we got up this morning they were still set.
A little while ago, I went outside to check again, and was horrified to see that we'd caught a squirrel. I cried. There is no WAY I'm going to be able to dispose of him, so Old Abe says he'll do it.
Does anyone know of a way to kill rats without jeopardizing squirrels? If we can't figure out how to do it, I'd rather live with the rats around the yard than kill anymore squirrels.
And by the way, as I stood in the backyard heartbroken that I'd committed squirrel murder, I realized that if Bush and Cheney had felt as bad about the thousands of soldiers we've lost in Iraq as I did about my furry friend, I doubt we'd still have troops there.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Love,
ANK