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Woodburner
Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 2904 Location: Essex
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Posted: Fri Oct 28, 16 9:04 pm Post subject: Variation on a rat problem |
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Earlier in the year I had a rat problem, and was very diligent on putting out rat bait. The amount they got through before it stopped 'disappearing' was quite shocking. However, it did the trick, and the chicken food also stopped 'disappearing' so rapidly.
Just lately though, the food consumption has gone up again, and there's been a steady increase in scurrying noises while shutting the chooks in. A couple of nights ago, I spotted one briefly in the torch light, but apart from it's size, and rodent shape, I couldn't tell much about it. Small rat? Tonight, there was rustling pretty much whichever way I shone the torch, and I managed to see at least three different beasties, from baby rat size to small rat size, and all with relatively short furry tails . . .
Does rat poison work on voles? |
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Treacodactyl Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 25795 Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
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Slim
Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 6612 Location: New England (In the US of A)
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Woodburner
Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 2904 Location: Essex
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Bodger
Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 13524
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Ty Gwyn
Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Posts: 4613 Location: Lampeter
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Jam Lady
Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 2571 Location: New Jersey, USA
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 16 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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Here's what I found out about small rodents that live where I do.
Chipmunks are - relatively speaking - restrained in their breeding habits. They breed twice a year and have 4 or 5 young in each litter. Generally live 3 years in the wild.
Deer mice are more active in the population increase stakes. They have anywhere from 1 to 11 pups but usually 4 to 6 in a litter. They breed every 3 to 4 weeks in warm weather. They can get pregnant while nursing the current litter. The young can reproduce at 35 days but more commonly at 49 days. Mortality of young is high, and adults seldom live more than 1-2 1/2 years.
Voles live a short (3 to 6 months on average) but sexy life. Voles reach sexual maturity at 1 month, have a 3 week pregnancy, and anywhere from 5 to 10 litters a year. With 5 to 10 young per litter that's a low of 25 to a high of 100 young per vole per year.Voles are eaten by raccoons, owls, hawks, falcons, coyotes, foxes, snakes, weasels, cats and dogs. |
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dpack
Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 46226 Location: yes
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mousjoos
Joined: 05 Jun 2006 Posts: 1986 Location: VERY Sunny SW France
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 16 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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Jam Lady wrote: |
Here's what I found out about small rodents that live where I do.
Chipmunks are - relatively speaking - restrained in their breeding habits. They breed twice a year and have 4 or 5 young in each litter. Generally live 3 years in the wild.
Deer mice are more active in the population increase stakes. They have anywhere from 1 to 11 pups but usually 4 to 6 in a litter. They breed every 3 to 4 weeks in warm weather. They can get pregnant while nursing the current litter. The young can reproduce at 35 days but more commonly at 49 days. Mortality of young is high, and adults seldom live more than 1-2 1/2 years.
Voles live a short (3 to 6 months on average) but sexy life. Voles reach sexual maturity at 1 month, have a 3 week pregnancy, and anywhere from 5 to 10 litters a year. With 5 to 10 young per litter that's a low of 25 to a high of 100 young per vole per year.Voles are eaten by raccoons, owls, hawks, falcons, coyotes, foxes, snakes, weasels, cats and dogs. |
Deer mice ? With antlers & everything ? |
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Slim
Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 6612 Location: New England (In the US of A)
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Woodburner
Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 2904 Location: Essex
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Bodger
Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 13524
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wellington womble
Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Posts: 15051 Location: East Midlands
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NorthernMonkeyGirl
Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Posts: 4630 Location: Peeping over your shoulder
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Woodburner
Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 2904 Location: Essex
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