Rats 0, Human 2

 On Sunday, I thought I knew where the rats were coming into the house.  There is a pipe protruding from the side of the house.  I could have put hardware cloth on it, but I was concerned that it would trap them in the house.  I came up with an idea of how to trap them.  I attached an elbow pipe and added a pipe going straight down into a bucket of water.  If they go through it, they will end up dropping into the water and drowning.  I'm not sure if they will fall for it, but we'll see.  

That night, I heard scratching and squeaking in the ceiling.  I know we have a problem.  If they multiply, they could do some real damage.  My daughter has set traps, but they laugh at her and take the bait without setting them off, or they set them off, but do not get trapped.  I go out to feed the dog.  It was dark, so I turned on the light.  All of a sudden, two rats run up the brick wall and disappear.  I thought they went up to the deck, but they were not there.  My next guess is that they are getting into a hole-in-the-wall. 

Monday, I wake up.  I had been thinking of things to do.  I did order poison, but I am very leery about using it.  I do not want the dog or any other animals eating the poisoned rat.  I have already found a dead owl.  There were no signs of a fight.  I guess they ate poisoned prey.  I know that rats have a highly sensitive sense of smell.  I brought out some bleach and sprayed the wall.  I saw a rat scurry.  I sprayed under the rabbit cages and wood planks.  Then, I went inside and retrieved the BB gun. 

Next thing I know, a rat walks up the wall.  I'm not sure if the bleach disoriented it, but it did seem a little sluggish.   I'm at a distance.  I take aim and shoot.  The rat flies backward onto the ground.  His legs were twitching.  I knew I had hit a sensitive spot.  I shot it again to put it out of its misery.  The other rat walked up the wall onto a window screen.  I took aim.  I had to make sure not to hit the window.  I shot.  He fell back but ran up the screen again.  I shot him.  He went down with a twicthy leg.  I finished him off.  I took the tray he landed on and threw it away.  

Turning around, I see the outside cat playing with the other rat.  

"Now you are going after them!" I exclaimed.  "You need to do your job and go after these rats.  Then, you might not have to beg me for food every day!"  Yes, I do feed the cat.  He could be getting some extra protein.  

Last night, I went out to scope for rats.  I did scare one off, but could not shoot him.  I notice the cat playing with something.  It was the body of a smaller rat/mouse.  At least he got the message.