Pack Rats

So far this fall/winter season we have live trapped 8 pack rats. We let them out to continue to live down the road from us. We believe we are seeing so many now because it is getting colder nights and they are looking to find a warm place to live. Plus we are an oasis of live trees and growth in an other wise area of burn scar devastation. I can't imagine a pack rat (wood rat) would find it very comfortable in ash and burned trees.

I don't like to kill them as they are just being true to what they are but what they are is destructive. They can chew the wiring harness under a closed hood of a vehicle over night. They can chew the insulation off electrical wiring in an instant and use it for a nest. They tend to gather small items like nails etc. to hoard in their nests. They can chew through walls and you know they are present because they pee and poop which smells terrible.

We therefore run a relocation service and since they are suckers of peanut butter they go into the live trap and stay for a few hours until they can connect with our relocation service. With their big ears they are cute little guys but smelly and destructive so we put them in an area that they are more suited for. Normally you don't see them except when it gets cold and then they are looking for a warm place to winter. That is when they join our relocation service.