Packrat (Wood Rat)

[Gee.S]

Some packrats have a strong association with cactus out in habitat and are often drawn to human habitation sites as sources of food, water and shelter. They will eat your succulents, construct large, unsightly nests (fallen cholla pieces are a favorite building material), chew irrigation lines, and wreak all manner of havoc about your property. Control is not difficult, as these moderate sized rodents cannot help but investigate anything new within their field of vision, and that includes snap traps baited with peanut butter and/or raisins. Trap early and trap often, since packrats like nothing more than making more packrats.

Packrat

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Nest

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Packrat damage

[Gee.S]

I adopted an extremely aggressive stance with packrats last season. After several years of prolonged conflict, I was well aware of when and where they like to set up shop across my property, so I decided to trap BEFORE I saw damage. The result was nearly no damage to plants or irrigation system components, and 15 dead packrats. I had always assumed there was an inexhaustible supply of packrats across the area, from which to make more packrats, but this is apparently not true. An unexpected bonus of last season's efforts has been the apparent elimination of packrats from my property. I'm sure it won't last, but for now they are gone.