For those considering non-poisonous solutions to rat invaders, I must
add my two cents about the Rat Zapper: works great, but keep those
batteries fresh.

I had a rat problem several winters ago until I was able to seal up my
fortress (and learned to bring my feeders in at night). In addition to
snap traps, I bought a Zapper and used it successfully a couple of
times. One cold night, the cat brought in a vigorous rat (a byproduct
of having rats coming and going along a predictable route was an
increase in ratting behavior; yes, it was a miserable winter).

The cat cornered the rat in the bathroom. It being 4:00 a.m., the rat
was at its best and I was not, so I baited the Zapper, turned it on,
and checked the external light that confirmed this. I set the trap
next to the floor heating vent, left the light on, closed the door,
and went back to bed. I reasoned that the rat would retreat from the
light and into the warm darkness of the Zapper (which looks like a
smallish quart milk carton with one open end). When I checked at
daylight, I found the rat prone and still inside the Zapper. Feeling
very clever, I picked up my trap with its dead weight and took it
straight outside out to the garbage (it was even garbage day). I
tipped the open end of the trap to dump the rat into a garbage bag.
Instead, a very alive rat shot out of the opening and leapt out of the
trap -- not down, but right over my head and off into the weeds.
Caveat emptor.

Patti Loesche
Seattle

On Feb 5, 2010, at 12:56 PM, Jim Ullrich wrote:

> Hello Tweets:
> There is a new product out there to get rid of your Rats with No
> Poison, No snap traps and the ensuing bloody mess.
> It is called the "Rat Zapper". The Ultra takes 4 D Cell batteries,
> the original takes 4 AA batteries. The rat ventures in, proceeds to
> the peanut butter bait and steps on the metal electrical contact and
> is instantly electrocuted.
> You then dispose of the rat in a bag and drop into your garbage. A
> local farmer puts the recently deceased rat onto fence post pilings
> for his Hawks and Owls to snag, for a Mid-Day snack. Again no-mess,
> no-fuss, no-poison..
> Jim Ullrich
>
> --
> 3120 1/2 Harborview Dr
> Gig Harbor, WA 98335
> 253-851-2575 or 800-851-2575
> http://www.wbu.com/gigharbor
>
>
>
> --
> 3120 1/2 Harborview Dr
> Gig Harbor, WA 98335
> 253-851-2575 or 800-851-2575
> http://www.wbu.com/gigharbor
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
> Tweeters at u.washington.edu
> http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters

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