Res Ipsa Loquitur

If you go for the pellet gun/air rifle solution, don't get a cheap one - they aren't strong enough for varmints. THis is a much better solution than using poison - at least as far as I am concerned.

I wouldn't buy a .17 caliber pelet gun either - the projectiles can't carry enough kinetic energy. If you do, it should produce a minimum of 1000 feet per second muzzel velocity.

The .22 calibers are the way to go. Something from Beeman. Gamo is a pretty standard brand but get something on their high-end. Crossman are cheap kids toys for the most part, but I suppose they may have a high-end rifle or 2.

800 feet per second at .22 caliber is a minimum for varminting.

You will spend more for a good air rifle than for a cheap firearm, but it isn't legal to discharge firearms in most cities, where it is legal to use an air rifle. Though you should check before hand. And treat them with respect. Just because they aren't firearms doesn't mean they aren't dangerous.

Thanks, Deb! Great info to have. Unfortunately, our city ordinance doesn't allow even air rifles....or 'killing of animals' within city limits. Hence my squirrel problem. Even if they were allowed, the houses in our neighborhood are located too closely together to safely use anything with enough power to kill a rat.

I suspect the rat is visiting our plum tree, which is loaded with ripe fruit right now. But if I see him again, I'll be looking into a few rat traps. Don't mind him visiting so much as long as he doesn't move in.

2 solutions

1 is a very simple backwoods method.

Water. With Anti Freeze. Game Over Rat.

#2 has the same effects for but a higher investment.
The Tractor Supply store up off the highway has various traps, poisions and even snap traps for Rats. I used to work there heh.

Any rate they have some mondo sized boxes of D-Con as well as other types of rat eliminating chemicals.

I love Tractor Supply.

If I put out poison, won't I also kill every cat & dog roaming around the neighborhood though? I'm beginning to think the simplest solution would be to start walking Sassy on leash around the yard. Unlike Sollie, she has a very well developing hunting instinct.

True!
I sort of took it for granted that your area had a leash/cable law unlike way out here in the wilds ;)

Yep, there's a lease law here in the big city. Most people try to comply, which is nice....though I did have a neighbor last year whose big grey dog kept getting out & coming into our yard. Bastard growled & started towards me one day, so I beaned him in the head with a big rock. Didn't see him around too much after that. ;-)

This must be varmint week. I saw a garter snake in the front flower bed today. First snake I've seen since I moved here in the spring of 2000. I'll leave him alone though. Garter snakes are my friends.