I don’t believe anyone is excited to come across rats in or near their home, but since we live in a rural area, they are a fact of life and an important part of our ecosystem. We find them at least occasionally near our homes, in our garages or in the engines of our cars.What is the benefit of rats? They serve as food for predators like mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, wolves, owls, snakes and more. It’s better they eat rats than our cats and dogs.But they also burrow, loosen the soil and spread plants and trees with seeds. They also eat garbage and waste left by humans.If you are trying to get rid of the pesky critters, there are some practical things you can do without poison.Buy “Rat Zappers” and place them around where the rats are.Don’t leave any food ar
