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Zombie Rat Threat

Nik

Well-Known Member
I am hoping that some of you with more living among nature experience may have some words of wisdom to calm my panicked heart.

I was enjoying my morning coffee and looked over at my backyard and deck. I love watching my yard while sipping my coffee.

All of a sudden I notice the ZOMBIE RAT on my upper deck right outside the sliding door. He is drinking from a puddle of rain water and has a giant bloody hole in his side.

My first reaction was to scream. My second reaction was to scream.

Meanwhile ZOMBIE RAT continues to calmly drink then turns and slowly starts shuffling at a zombie like speed towards the dog gate blocking the stairs down.

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I grab my phone snap a few photos then call my huaband to screech panicked nonsense at dog whistle decibels at him. He reminds me dont let the dogs out since ZOMBIE RAT may be diseased.

Okay yes that makes sense but eventually the poop must happen and judging by the smells wafting from the general direction of my dogs the poo may need to happen sooner rather than later.

Those of you with naturey experience what would you do? Should I assume ZOMBIE RAT is long gone? I really never want to see ZOMBIE RAT again.

And here are some happier photos to calm the squeamish (ie me).

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Bailey's Mom

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Okay! Poisons are out! You Have Pets! However, you need to rid yourself of a dangerous vector animal. Rat Zapper by Victor. It uses four D cell batteries AND, IT WORKS. No Mess, No Fuss, and (necessary for me) no painful death. The light flashes green when it is set, then nothing until something is killed, then it flashes red. Just pick up the cylinder by the side and dump it into a garbage bin. (Downside risk!

If you are feeding birds, consider getting a bird tray...an open wide bowl supported on legs because the squirrels won't destroy it causing spilling to the ground which will attract rodents. We got rid of our bird feeders (5) and went to the tray (1) and put peanuts up on the fence line for the squirrels. When the squirrels finish theirs on the fence, they come to the tray, but most of the food stays aloft, and the mice and rats have nothing to feast on, problem solved.
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
Okay! Poisons are out! You Have Pets! However, you need to rid yourself of a dangerous vector animal. Rat Zapper by Victor. It uses four D cell batteries AND, IT WORKS. No Mess, No Fuss, and (necessary for me) no painful death. The light flashes green when it is set, then nothing until something is killed, then it flashes red. Just pick up the cylinder by the side and dump it into a garbage bin. (Downside risk!

If you are feeding birds, consider getting a bird tray...an open wide bowl supported on legs because the squirrels won't destroy it causing spilling to the ground which will attract rodents. We got rid of our bird feeders (5) and went to the tray (1) and put peanuts up on the fence line for the squirrels. When the squirrels finish theirs on the fence, they come to the tray, but most of the food stays aloft, and the mice and rats have nothing to feast on, problem solved.

I only sporadically feed the birds... very rarely so there isn't any food out there to attract the rats. It looks like this guy was just looking for a drink. Normally we don't have water out lately either but we had puddles on the bed from the rain. I think the electric traps are the only type I would consider because lack of mess and lack of danger to the dogs.

To add on this I also found coyote scat (poo) in our yard Monday and I know it was fresh because I had cleaned that whole yard on Sunday evening.
 

Bailey's Mom

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Yikes! You know how I feel about Coyotes. Keep your babies close, that's a fight you don't want them in.
 

Pastor Dave

Well-Known Member
An air pistol or air rifle would certainly do the trick on Mr. Rat. That would be my solution....you don't want your dogs getting a rat bite.
 

Jakesmum

Well-Known Member
Sorry, but this is hilarious!!!! It does look like a zombie too!!!!! I have no suggestions for you. We are lucky here, Alberta is supposedly considered a rat free province, I know there are some out there but I've never seen them. We even have laws banning owning rats as pets and a rat patrol that gets rid of any rats that are found, so no zombie rats here. I hope you are able to eliminate your zombie rat issue and never have to see it again!
 

April Nicole

Well-Known Member
That is a creepy a** rat!! I feel your pain,we are on a lake, and get rats in our yard every now and then. Logan and Sophie chase them. I can't stand em