TomB Posted November 28, 2012 Posted November 28, 2012 You may want to use the same strategy that keeps Canada Geese away: make the chewed parts bitter. A product called Goose Chase repellent worked well for me years ago. It's made from the seeds of grapes so it imparts a nasty taste with no toxicity. About 100 bucks a gallon but goes a long way and you could split the cost with others. You could spray parts and discourage feeding so they move on. European countries have a big problem with Martins chewing up car engine parts and they spray on bad tasting repellents. Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted November 28, 2012 Super User Posted November 28, 2012 Check with an "animal control officer". They are licensed to remove pests, be they racoons, squirrels, ducks, geese or any other nuisance or destructive animals from your property. They should also know what will repel the critters, be it a scent, a sound or whatever. Quote
Super User CWB Posted December 2, 2012 Author Super User Posted December 2, 2012 Check with an "animal control officer". They are licensed to remove pests, be they racoons, squirrels, ducks, geese or any other nuisance or destructive animals from your property. They should also know what will repel the critters, be it a scent, a sound or whatever. My first action was to call county pest control. They recommended a few things but said there was nothing they knew of that was 100%. Fox urine was supposed to be the most reliable repellant but that ain't happening. Next step is mounting a 50 cal. on the dock. This only seems to happen in the fall when the varmints are looking for a place to winter. A rat rap baited with apple pieces will be going in the splashwell on each side of the motor and I got the bosses blessing to get a lift. Cranking it up out of the water will keep the buggers out and keep the hull clean as well. Quote
Brian Needham Posted December 2, 2012 Posted December 2, 2012 I dont think a rat trap will be big enough. lift might be the best option you have, until they learn to climb the dock poles. IDK, if muskrats climb or not but they have to claws to. for the most part animal control offices are worthless in my experience. I trap at least once a year on the golf course, muskrat DESTROY pond banks when they tunnel. good luck Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted December 3, 2012 Super User Posted December 3, 2012 Animal Control Officer is a bit of a misnomer, at least in Massachusetts. The title might make you think they serve in some official capacity for the state, but they don't. It means they are licensed to deal with all manner of pests, be they squirrels in an attic, or racoons that are destroying farmers' crops. Bats in attics, rat and mice infestations are also things they deal with. They are not much different from other professionals. Some are conscientious while others are only interested in their fee. Quote
Trebleg1 Posted July 30, 2017 Posted July 30, 2017 I had damage on my boat from a muskrat. Will water rat poison work on a rat this size? I have some bait packages that are supposedly fish flavored:-) Quote
BigAngus752 Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 On 11/10/2012 at 9:02 PM, CWB said: I like #2 better. I have a feeling this was because the water was so low. Boat is usually in 4-5 feet of water but was in about 1 foot at the end of the year. I did notice more than usual swimming around later in the year. Usually you see them near dusk. Cover was fine till he chewed a little hole in it. I will be investing in a high powered air gun or get a silencer for my 22. He started a war but I will prevail! You are absolutely correct with this assessment. Muskrats rarely spend time on land. If your water is that low it is doing two things: 1. Altering their behavior and patterns 2. It has uncovered the entrances to their dens. Use #2 to your advantage. They are out more and more mobile because of the low water. You will have more opportunities to exterminate them quietly. I had a farmer come to me once and ask me to take care of a muskrat that had literally drained his pond to 1/3 of it's normal depth. It takes patience. Sitting very quietly and waiting. Dusk is prime time. On 11/10/2012 at 9:02 PM, CWB said: Quote
38 Super Fan Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 4 hours ago, BigAngus752 said: You are absolutely correct with this assessment. Muskrats rarely spend time on land. If your water is that low it is doing two things: 1. Altering their behavior and patterns 2. It has uncovered the entrances to their dens. Use #2 to your advantage. They are out more and more mobile because of the low water. You will have more opportunities to exterminate them quietly. I had a farmer come to me once and ask me to take care of a muskrat that had literally drained his pond to 1/3 of it's normal depth. It takes patience. Sitting very quietly and waiting. Dusk is prime time. Well, this thread is nearly 5 years old, hopefully he's come up with a solution by now. Quote
Turkey sandwich Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 1 hour ago, 38 Super Fan said: Well, this thread is nearly 5 years old, hopefully he's come up with a solution by now. As the OP has not posted since 2015, I'm left to assume that he has not and has, in fact, been devoured by said muskrats. 2 Quote
Super User tcbass Posted July 31, 2017 Super User Posted July 31, 2017 On 11/18/2012 at 6:00 PM, Brian Needham said: get you the trap pictured.........bait with apples or lettuce. I battle these critters on the golf course every day all day, trapping works to thin out the herd but you never can get all of them. I have trapped over 100 in a week. right now is PRIMETIME, muskrattin' ! You use those traps in the water right? Quote
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