Why my rats go through so much food!

Unless you live directly in city limits, and that city has an ordinance against it, you can have the rats...
Rats/mice and fish do not fall under any state or federal regulations, just local and county. That's why you have some cities that you cannot feed live rodents to reptiles...
So, that being said, call animal control if there is not a regulation where you live...

animal welfare act(AWA), long boring read, but if you breed exotics I recommend it...

I would be treating your rats often for mites . . . Those raccoons can harbor all sorts of parasites, and pass them to your rats.

How about building a frame around the area where your racks are on the deck and screen it in. It doesn't have to be the whole deck. Just make it real sturdy and have the door open wide so you can work on the racks.

BTW, every animal that I trapped and let go has found it's way back. I never bother the animals around my house, even the ones that dig huge holes, etc. If they climb on or in the house and cause problems they quietly go away. The ones that stay away from the house have a pretty good life.

Yep. I've left my garage door open a couple of times and actually walked in on a coon munching down. Scared the u know what outta me! The only way out was the door I was standing in so I ran away as fast as my flip flops would carry me after hearing that thing hiss at me. Haha.

I feed Mazuri rodent blocks and trust me, the coons love it. Dog food or rodent food, or as the Mod stated, trash... Doesn't matter! Good luck with the issue!

The coons are mobbing xD

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Originally Posted by Rhasputin

I would be treating your rats often for mites . . . Those raccoons can harbor all sorts of parasites, and pass them to your rats.

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Good advice - what would you use?

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

How about building a frame around the area where your racks are on the deck and screen it in. It doesn't have to be the whole deck. Just make it real sturdy and have the door open wide so you can work on the racks.

BTW, every animal that I trapped and let go has found it's way back. I never bother the animals around my house, even the ones that dig huge holes, etc. If they climb on or in the house and cause problems they quietly go away. The ones that stay away from the house have a pretty good life.

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Also good advice - probably the best option for me. These 3 coons have been a problem in the neighborhood. They have been nabbing koi out of my neighbors pound and knocking over trash as well. Thats why i think if I can handle these 3 i'll have a manageable problem.

I regularly go to a piece of property which is an hour drive from here and probably 20k acres of pristine country. You think they would make it back from that far?

The previous owner of my home had problems with squirrels and coons in the attic - she had it professionally "wildlife proofed" I have not had a problem in my 6 years here.

You could always put hardware cloth around the two sides and back of the rack. Then make a wooden frame covered with hardware cloth for a door to cover the front of your rack. This way the rack is self enclosured, but still has plenty of airflow. This will cost less then fencing in the entire deck.

coons are very smart and mischievous and there is a good chance that they would break into it if you framed around the rack. best way to get rid of the issue is trap and remove to where you are talking or use the .22 which i see your not down with which is commendable.
adam jeffery

When I lived outside of the city, I used a couple of THESE hooked to a water hose to keep stray cats out of my sheds.

The kids used to like to play with them during the day too.. So it was a win/win.

Just make sure your friends know its on after 9pm if they decide to drop by on some Friday evening for a drink or two. ;P