Rats are considered to be very unpretentious in terms of nutrition. Pests eat everything they come across, including food waste. A rodent's diet includes foodstuffs familiar to humans, paper, wires and furniture. There is enough information about domestic rats to consider such a parasite a threat to an apartment or private house. Can a rat eat another rodent, including a mouse?
Some people are completely unable to cope with pest infestations and therefore come up with myths about the complete invulnerability of rodents. The main reason for failure is the incorrect selection of rodenticides and other means intended to kill the parasite. Our online store specialists will always help you choose the right product. Just describe the current situation to the manager and they will offer you the best option, depending on the degree of contamination of the territory and financial capabilities.
As for rats in an apartment, such rodents will always look for the most favorable place with a large amount of food and optimal temperature conditions. This is why there are so many pests in basements, sheds and other secluded places. Rats often organize huge colonies, develop new territories and fiercely resist attempts to drive out a whole horde of pests. To successfully get rid of such unpleasant animals, you must first understand where rats come from and find the main source.
Will rats fight for territory with other rodents?
Initially, you need to sort out nutrition issues. Rats are considered not only omnivores, but also often lead a predatory lifestyle. Rodents consume both plant foods and waste with great pleasure. Pests often live in close proximity to garbage dumps and even eat wires. Such a creature has a need for protein, which suggests the possible consumption of meat.
It is clear that all types of rats are capable of eating meat. Consequently, even mice can fall victim to the need to search for food. Rats are considered excellent predators and can dive and catch various shellfish and amphibians. In the city and in private homes, you can only find mice and birds, so such pests are not especially likely to pick up food if they can quickly obtain food.
A dangerous predator doesn’t care at all who it eats. The main thing is to obtain a source of energy for further living and reproduction in favorable conditions. Catching a domestic rat is very difficult, since the rodent is cunning and resourceful. A flock of pests will fiercely defend their rights to territory and can even show aggression towards humans.
Can a mouse become a victim of a rat?
It has already become clear that rats can eat meat. But do they eat mice? Yes, they do. And not just mice. Rats are excellent hunters. They swim well, can dive and catch fish, mollusks or amphibians in reservoirs. Also, these rodents move quite quickly, so if desired, they can catch up with a small animal. Often it is small rodents that become victims. And in urban environments only mice live. In addition, especially dexterous and hungry individuals even catch birds.
In general, these are very dangerous predators who don’t really care what or who they eat. It is important to find food and eat it in order to live on.
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For what reasons are mice attacked by rats?
It is extremely easy to distinguish one species from another, and the main factor is size. Large predators sometimes grow up to 30 cm in body length, and the parameters of mice do not exceed 10 cm. That is why smaller brothers try, if possible, not to come into contact with aggressive rodents. There is no open hostility between representatives and rats will not attack without a clear reason. Among the main factors of aggression it is worth highlighting:
- Hunger;
- Protection;
- The emergence of competition;
- Active population expansion and competition for territory.
Hunger forces species of wild rats to do absolutely desperate things and even eat their relatives. At least, in a critical situation, pests will definitely not disdain to feast on a mouse. A dead animal automatically becomes potential food. Even if a large rodent is not hungry, it will take the prey it finds with it as a reserve.
Rats are remarkably aware that they are capable of a level higher than mice. Small representatives of the species that accidentally find themselves in enemy territory will be immediately killed and eaten. This aspect is direct evidence of competition. Mice that deliberately visit rat colonies to steal food are completely doomed to die.
Among the small animals there are also brave individuals that will attack large predators. Of course, the rat will not disdain the opportunity to kill the daredevil and feast on the best source of animal protein.
Aggressors also eat weak mice, but they show particular aggression when exploring new territories. Rats reproduce quite quickly and try to find a favorable area to live. Rodents that don't want to leave and choose to fight are likely to die. From the factors described above, it is quite easy to conclude that rats are hostile. According to the laws of nature, the strongest survive, which is clearly proven by such large individuals.
How to catch a rat
Rats are very smart creatures that have a unique intelligence. The proportions of their brain in relation to the body are the same as those of humans. It is no coincidence that their intelligence, cunning and adaptability are literally the stuff of legends.
These rodents are able to penetrate the most enclosed spaces, squeeze through incredibly narrow cracks, gnaw through concrete walls, but still get to their desired goal. Their appearance makes life very difficult for a person, and he begins to look for a way to destroy them.
Advice! The simplest is poison, but not always, or rather almost always, the animal dies in a hard-to-reach place, after which the cadaverous smell lingers for several months. It would be more correct to catch rats alive using traps and rat traps, and then eliminate them and burn or bury them.
Before you figure out how to catch a rat, you need to find out on what principle such devices work.
The mechanism of operation of exterminators is tritely simple. A treat (meat, grain feed, sunflower seeds, etc.) is placed in a rat trap. Having caught the smell of food, the rodent will head towards it and be caught.
The most convenient trap where the rodent remains alive
Conventionally, rat traps are divided into three groups:
- The first category includes exterminators, when rodents get caught in them they immediately die;
- traps of the second category cause injuries to the limbs of pests;
- the third type of trap simply catches harmful creatures without harming their health.
In the case of the latter catchers, you need to get the pest and put it somewhere. But at the same time, such rat traps are humane methods of combating harmful creatures. When using exterminators, it becomes necessary to remove corpses, which may confuse some fighters with such pests.
Rat traps can be purchased ready-made, or you can make them yourself using available materials. To make it easier for you to make your choice, we suggest considering both options.
Purchased catchers
How to catch a rat at home? There are many different traps with which you can actively fight these harmful creatures.
Mousetraps work equally well on mice and rats. Among the variety of such, experts highlight the following samples.
Mousetraps . Quite an old device that was used by our grandparents when catching rodents. The simplest and most cost-effective option is a primitive wooden mousetrap. Thanks to improved technology, more sophisticated and efficient catchers are now available on the market.
The cost of such units ranges from 25 to 350 rubles. Such a large price range is due to the complexity of the device.
Rodent trap "RAT Killer" . Mousetrap powered by electricity. The principle of its operation is simple: first it attracts the pest with bait, which is located inside the device. After which it strikes with an electric discharge.
Attention! Another advantage of this unit is that it can operate both from the mains and from other alternative energy sources (accumulators, batteries). The cost of such a unit is 3200 rubles.
Adhesive catcher "Trap" . Easy to use and quite effective device. When the pest notices the treat, it moves towards it and lands on the sticky surface. The rodent will no longer be able to get out of such a trap and will die from exhaustion.
The disadvantage of this product is that from the moment it hits the adhesive pad until it dies, the parasite makes unpleasant sounds, which can sometimes be very annoying.
Glue trap
You can purchase such a device for only 160 rubles.
Destroyer "SuperCat" . A plastic rat trap that is easy to use. In this case, you need to place the bait in the center of the catcher yourself. When the rodent comes for a treat, it will fall inside the mechanism and die immediately.
It is enough to shake the corpse out of the device, and it is ready for further use. You can buy a similar rat trap for 1000 rubles.
Live trap for rodents "EB 703F" . This is a kind of trap house, inside of which the bait is placed. Having made its way to get provisions, the malicious creature will no longer be able to get out. There are two options for the development of further events: wait until the rat itself dies inside such a “house” or get it alive and take it to a safe distance from the house.
The first option is possible if you use poison bait. The cost of the catcher ranges from 400 to 550 rubles.
Glue catcher "Obstacle House" . In this case, you must first assemble the box and then place the bait inside it. Ready-made exterminators are placed in areas of increased activity of rats and mice. The price of such a house is 120 rubles.
Important! Rat trap "Cage" . An effective device that, in comparison with simple mousetraps, cannot work falsely. Externally, it is a platform equipped with a steel cage with a door on it. The latter closes using a spring mechanism.
To activate such a device, you need to open the door and secure it in this position with a small pin on which the treat is placed.
When trying to get food, the rat steps on the pin, the shutter is triggered and the door slams. This option can be considered a humane method of rodent control. You can purchase such a device for 600 rubles.
Homemade rat traps
How to make a rat trap with your own hands? It turns out that you don’t need any special knowledge or skills to do this. All you need to do is follow the instructions, according to which you can make an effective and inexpensive rat trap.
Option one: from a flower pot . To make a rat trap with your own hands, you will need the following items and components:
- flower pot or other weighty container;
- a treat for the pest;
- a piece of plastic or plywood.
First of all, you need to give the piece of material the correct shape so that it has a pointed edge. A treat is attached to this edge. Next you need to place the device on its edge, placing one side of the container on it.
While the other side is located on the floor surface. The pest gets inside the device and, when trying to get food, the pot falls off the edge of the plate and covers the rat.
Option two: from a deep bucket . To implement this catcher option, you will need a deep bucket, sawdust, water with a strong salt solution.
Approximate diagram of a rat trap made of a bucket and frame
Instructions for making a trap for mice and rats with your own hands:
- Fill the bucket with saline solution.
- Sprinkle sawdust onto the surface of the liquid.
- We place several pieces of bait on top of the sawdust.
- To speed up the entry of pests into such a catcher, you need to attach a piece of wood to the bucket.
The operating principle of this design is simple: sawdust will not sink in a saline solution. Having reached the bait, the pest will simply drown.
Option three: out of the box . To make this trap, you need to prepare the following components:
- bait;
- box;
- stick.
We sharpen one end of the stick so that the bait is placed well and tightly on it. We place the stick vertically, with the treat on the floor, and place one side of the box on it (the other stands edge-on on the floor surface).
The rodent will smell the food and move under the box. And when you try to pick up food, the box will simply slide off the support and cover the rodent. To make it easier to remove the rat from under the box later, it is better to place the entire structure on a sheet of DPV.
Should you be afraid of rats?
It is best to immediately begin effective fight against rats as soon as you see several individuals in the territory of an apartment or private house. Such rodents are incredibly smart and lead a herd lifestyle with a complex hierarchical structure. Pests will fiercely defend their territory and you should not wait until the entire living area is in the danger zone. Pick up several rodenticides and distribute them evenly in problem areas.
After a short period of time, not the slightest trace of the rats will remain.
Not only mice are at risk, but also pets in a private home. There are cases of rats stealing small rabbits and chickens.
Species Definition
To effectively combat a pest, it is important to know who you are dealing with. This can be determined by a number of characteristic signs, even if the rodent cannot be detected visually.
To do this, they evaluate the prints of the tracks left by the animal. Mice move in small steps, so their prints are appropriate. Rats move with peculiar springy throws, their paw prints are more distinct and rare. It is also useful to inspect the walls below. A sign that there are rats will be scuffs on the wallpaper, as these animals move, clinging to the wall. If smaller rodents rule the house, there will be no characteristic abrasions.
As a method of determining the type, you can assess the damage caused:
- Mice gnaw mainly on soft materials such as polyethylene, paper, and foam.
- Rats are more likely to damage hard wooden surfaces.
Pests also have their own preferences in nutrition. Rats are omnivores and destroy all available food found in the home or basement. Mice encroach mainly on cereal products (flour, cereals), because they prefer plant foods.
And if you still manage to catch the animal by surprise, then you can understand who it is by its characteristic behavior. Mice are very shy, avoid meeting people and run away at the slightest noise. Although rats do not tend to catch the eye of a person once again, if they are unexpectedly noticed, they are in no hurry to run away. They freeze in place, assessing the situation and planning an escape route. And in the event of a real threat to their lives, they actively resist and even attack a person.
