There are lots of cute animals that live on Aunt Mel’s farm including several rodents. Tiny grey field mice make nice cat snacks. There are dozens of chipmunks along the tree line. The squirrels are like clowns with their crazy desperate antics to pilate from the bird feeders. Then there are the rats. Rats are not welcome at Aunt Mel’s farm.

Rats normally live in the fields, burrowing in the tall grass and along fence lines where they’re somewhat save from owls and hawks. But when it starts to get cold, the rats look for warmer homes and they’ve poorly chosen Aunt Mel’s garage. Once a rat finds a safe home, they start having baby rats. And pretty soon, the baby rats are having their own baby rats and within a few weeks, Aunt Mel’s garage becomes a nursery for field rats.

They wreck havoc. They chew through metal tubs to get to the horse food. They make nests inside Aunt Mel’s riding mower, stuffing the battery cavity beneath the seat with all manner of soft bedding – hay, straw, chewed up bits of paper. They boldly dash around including running up Aunt Mel’s leg causing a horrific scare. Twice they chewed the starter wire to Aunt Mel’s car disabling it. Two tow truck lifts, two missed days of work and $600 in repairs and, well, simply put, those rats must die!

Aunt Mel hates to kill any animals, all life is precious. But there is no sleep lost over dead rats. Aunt Mel took a trip to the hardware store and purchased a $12 poison feeder that was strategically placed near the horse’s grain bin. Within a few days, no more rats and good riddance!