Dang tree rats! I have been damaged!

[k0ua]

We have a garden hose stretched across the road (actually our driveway) about 15 up two cedar trees to water the wife's plants in the south flower bed. Well today she comes in and says it is squirting water out of two major holes in the hose about 12 foot up the side of one of the trees. It was fine yesterday. We got it down and a new one put up. Here is the "tree rat" damage. You can see the sharp little teeth marks where the little bushy tailed marauders had their fun.
The old hose is now two shorter hoses with a chunk cut out in the middle. The new hose is a different materiel and kinda stinky. I hope they don't like the taste. This shows the two holes on each end of the cut out section.

 

[Stick895]

New holes need to be put into the tree rats.

 

[nybirdman]

Just had to replace my landline telephone cable for the same reason.

 

[oldballs]

My rule is, if the wild life doesn't bother me (squirrels, snakes, deer, wasps, moles, etc.), I don't bother them. But the other side of that rule is not pretty. People might be in that rule also.unch:

 

[Garandman]

 

[Deere Dude]

It seems they like certain hoses as well as car and tractor wiring harnesses. I am getting tree rat free.

 

[k0ua]

Part of the squirrel problem is our fault.. The mother in law that lives with us insists on year around bird feeding. "oh, I just love to watch the little birdies".. Yeah.. all that dang black oil sunflower seeds and suet feeders attract squirrels like no tomorrow. I don't blame the little rats for coming and trying to make a living, but we have to suffer the consequences of damaged things and squirrel poop on all of the deck rails...The mother in law is 83 and doesnt have a whole lot of things going for her, so I can't really complain about the "bird feeding". But that is the crux of the matter.. Get rid of the bird feeding and we would get rid of the excess squirrels.

 

[95XL883]

Around the house, I have had good luck controlling tree rats with a product called Just One Bite. Have to be careful you don't poison a dog or cat. I break it into half stick pieces and slather a little cheap peanut butter on it. The tree rats gobble it up and the birds never touch it.

Another thing you could try is liquid electrical tape. It would be a little expensive, time consuming and messy but I've noticed the pack rats at the farm don't touch any wiring or hoses that have been coated with it. Good luck.

 

[amaxwell]

I have been at my place 28 years, never bothered them until this year. I had to spend $600 for new gas lines and wiring for my truck, now there are 8 less , and I am not thru yet !

 

[jack707]

Grab your .22 get dinner!