badwvlf t1_jcm6lr0 wrote
There’s a lot of sarcasm in here, but 2021 and 2022 summers were wildly different for rats. I had a crown heights yard (same one) both years. First year my dog caught about 25 rats but I was able to garden largely without disruption. Last summer they decimated my garden and my dogs could barely catch them. They outsmarted traps (the entire trap would literally go missing, lost about 8 traps this way). It was awful.
I moved to a place with a large terrace now.
ChubbyBidoof t1_jcn4jtn wrote
The pandemic created a food shortage for the rats and then it became survival of the fittest.
mictlanian t1_jcnjihb wrote
This! I’ve lived in my apartment with a yard for 7 years. I never used to see rats in the yard during the daytime. But after 2020 they just run around it like nothing in broad daylight.
AutonomousPapaya t1_jcocmof wrote
Interesting. I wonder if cats would do better, or if the rats would adapt to evade them too
badwvlf t1_jcoyv40 wrote
I doubt it. These aren’t mice. These are RATS. Like, need plastic take our size bags to bag them for the trash. Over half of the ones she caught were 12-18” nose to nail. She’s a pit bull so she has ratting instincts.
Remarkable_Landscape t1_jcy5jj1 wrote
And a relic of why they're associated so much with city dwellers. You're part of a NYC historic tradition!
sir_moose t1_jdfpk3h wrote
Makes me think of this vice segment
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