Does cat pee scare rats?

Kitty litter boxes can smell pretty bad, but the odor of cat urine could help keep rats and mice out of your house.

mercurynews.com - Is Atherton home's soiled kitty litter strong enough to repel rats and mice?

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Can I build my own shed?

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DEAR JOAN: I’ve found a creative way to get rid of roof rats that got into an opening in a screen in my small attic. I didn’t want to complain to the landlords and have them hire pest control or put out poison. I have two very sweet, indoor cats. I solved the rat problem by saving used, unscented, biodegradable clumping cat litter in a plastic bag. When I had enough to fill a plastic tub, I added a little water to keep it moist and placed the tub inside the small attic. Within three days, the pitter-patter of little rat feet above my head had ended, and I was able to replace the broken screen. Removing the undisturbed tub and disposing of the litter required little effort. I once saw the effects of poisoning on rats among community cats, when a local business hired a company to put out poison. I’ll never forget the horrific scene. Snap traps for rodents are more humane, if you can’t handle trapping and relocating.

Please remind folks not to use poison. It’s cruel beyond imagination.

T.V.L., Atherton

DEAR T.V.L.: There are many anecdotal references to using soiled kitty litter as a mouse and rat deterrent. Apparently, it can work quite well but there are some key considerations. First, the litter needs to be fairly well used and have the strong odor of cat urine. The smell of the urine is what discourages the rodents. On the other hand, you don’t want it too potent or the smell will discourage you, too. Most of the people who have used the litter scatter it around the yard or in front of openings where the rodents can get into the house, or put it in pots around the yard and house. Scattering is frowned upon because you may be spreading some pretty potent germs and bacteria around, which might sicken other animals or yourself. Keeping it contained, as you’ve done, is the better idea. Just keep in mind that soiled litter can contain some nasty things and should be used cautiously. Driving rodents out of the house and patching up entry holes is a much better proposition than trapping, and using poisons should never be considered because they do kill very cruelly and often kill other animals including owls, hawks, cats and dogs.

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To retrieve the anchor, position the boat directly over the anchor and cleat the anchor line at the bow. Gently idle your boat directly into the...

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Mothballs are meant to kill moths, eggs and larvae, but are also used to keep rats, mice and squirrels away. Those containing paradichlorobenzene...

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Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

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Just a reminder, too, that if you trap an animal on your property, you can’t take it elsewhere to release it. That’s against the law. DEAR JOAN: One possible explanation for the disappearing snails you wrote about in a recent column is rodents. Related Articles Pets and Animals | More than 70 dogs and cats rescued in East Bay house fire More than 70 dogs and cats rescued in East Bay house fire Pets and Animals | For Penguin Awareness Day, help name San Francisco’s new baby penguin

For Penguin Awareness Day, help name San Francisco’s new baby penguin Pets and Animals | What do bats find so appealing in the almond orchards along Interstate 5?

What do bats find so appealing in the almond orchards along Interstate 5? Pets and Animals | East Bay animal shelter seeks urgent adoption of 50 ‘big dogs’ East Bay animal shelter seeks urgent adoption of 50 ‘big dogs’ Pets and Animals | Mount Diablo doubles up on its popular tarantula hikes I have had a field mouse and rat family in my garden for the past few years. I discovered a rodent den behind my potting bench, and it was littered with snail shells. The backyard snail population has been zero. Before the rodents, the garden was overrun with snails. A peaceful coexistence between humans and rodents reside in my backyard, as long as they remain outdoors.

Matt, Bay Area

DEAR MATT: I should have thought of that. Raccoons, opossums, lizards and snakes all like escargot sashimi. I applaud you for the harmony in your backyard. That’s the way I look at things, too. As long as they stay on the other side of my door, we’re cool.