[Gulfcoast]

This is wild. I live in Florida now but in the NW part of the state. We have palm trees but no roaches and sure as heck no rats in our yard! I had no idea that this was an issue in central FL.

[richrjones]

Originally Posted by MSGirl

Any recs for someone to repair/replace lanai screen palm rats from my neighbor’s yard is eating through?

For screen repair or replace call Jeff at J&J Services 352-702-6376.

[karostay]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Squirrel, rat all in same family. Only difference the squirrels with furry tails are so cute. I too suspect squirrels?

and good eating about 4 make a great squirrel pie

[richrjones]

Originally Posted by MSGirl

Any recs for someone to repair/replace lanai screen palm rats from my neighbor’s yard is eating through?

Just talked to Jeff at J & J services and he has a solution to your rodent problem. Give him a call and he'll discuss it with you.

[richrjones]

Originally Posted by Gulfcoast

This is wild. I live in Florida now but in the NW part of the state. We have palm trees but no roaches and sure as heck no rats in our yard! I had no idea that this was an issue in central FL.

They are definitely a problem. Had them 4 years ago and had to hire pest control company to put out traps. Took over a year to get rid of them. Very aggressive as they would attack the black snakes that were in out area. Had to save the black snake several times when they were attacked.

[jdguscinski]

Originally Posted by MSGirl

Any recs for someone to repair/replace lanai screen palm rats from my neighbor’s yard is eating through?

I had the same thing happen to me last fall. First I repaired the screen, then they chewed through another spot. Went to Ace and got some heavier duty screen material - 1/4 inch mesh, which is much thicker than regular screening material. This kept them out but looked horrid. I contacted Custom Vinyl Systems Inc and they installed solid aluminum panel replacing the kneewall screens. This worked great and looks good! It cost $375 but I feel was worth it.. And, I know it was rats because I also put out traps and caught several - but did not stop the chewing. You can't kill them all, but you can keep them out! Hope this helps, good luck.

[karostay]

Originally Posted by jdguscinski

I had the same thing happen to me last fall. First I repaired the screen, then they chewed through another spot. Went to Ace and got some heavier duty screen material - 1/4 inch mesh, which is much thicker than regular screening material. This kept them out but looked horrid. I contacted Custom Vinyl Systems Inc and they installed solid aluminum panel replacing the kneewall screens. This worked great and looks good! It cost $375 but I feel was worth it.. And, I know it was rats because I also put out traps and caught several - but did not stop the chewing. You can't kill them all, but you can keep them out! Hope this helps, good luck.

T&D did mine for $125

[RICH1]

Feed the birds they said.. and the rats and squirrels came and nested in the attic ! That bag of bird food cost thousands of dollars in repairs! Get rid of the bird feeders, birds eat bugs

[MSGirl]

Originally Posted by Bellavita

You better make sure they aren’t living in there and check the attic are you feeding the birds if so you need to set out rat poison in a rat box they are everywhere in TV

No food on lanai except for an occasional gecko. Grill located outside and no signs of rats there. We put 2 traps on the lanai. Caught 2 rats. I’m afraid there is more. Deans put a box with rat poison in the yard. How annoying.

[C. C. Rider]

Traps work, but as others have said, you sometimes catch a bird or something you don't want to harm. I set a spring type trap out about a 6 weeks ago and caught a beautiful male cardinal (bird). It killed him deader than a doornail. I hated that.

So, I got the idea to use the live trap that I have. It's one of those wire cages with a trap door that you can use to catch squirrels, rabbits, and other small game. I placed some bait in there and have caught 4 rats so far. I have no idea where the rats are coming from, but they're in my yard at night. Yes, I have 3 palm trees.

BTW, I tried the poison bait before the live trap. The poison bait works, but it's very slow working (several days) and then the way you know it's working is when you smell something dead in your yard. Then you have to look under bushes to find it.

Anyway, the live trap works better. If you catch something that you don't want to harm, just set it free. If you catch a rat, then dispose of the varmint. Don't take it somewhere and turn it loose. I put about 10" of water in a large plastic storage tote then set the trap and rat down in the water. Come back about 5 to 10 minutes later and remove the dead rat and dispose of him.

BTW, the bait that I used was the same poison cubes that I bought on Amazon. It's called J. T. Eaton peanut butter flavored bait. It comes in green cubes approx 1" size. It will also work as just poison bait, but it's very slow working and leaves a stinking dead rat(s) to find in your yard.

Also, I saw a cardinal pecking at one of the cubes when I used it just as a poison, so clearly, birds are attracted to the bait too. Also found a dead squirrel in the yard that was apparently due to eating the bait. That was before I started using the live trap.

[ronsroni]

Originally Posted by MSGirl

Any recs for someone to repair/replace lanai screen palm rats from my neighbor’s yard is eating through?

Here is a suggestion for getting rid of palm rats in your tree! I call it tree bling: Went to Lowe’s and got 2 pipe wraps and covered tree. Be sure to secure bottom of wraps firmly so rats can’t get under it. I have not seen a rat in 3 weeks! Nowhere to hide 🐀.

[karostay]

Originally Posted by MSGirl

No food on lanai except for an occasional gecko. Grill located outside and no signs of rats there. We put 2 traps on the lanai. Caught 2 rats. I’m afraid there is more. Deans put a box with rat poison in the yard. How annoying.

How is it annoying ?