Posted on 05/23/2013 10:40:05 AM PDT by GraceG
I have a pest control issue concerning rats that live in trees. What sorta air rifle is recommended for this sorta thing? I want something cheap but powerful enough to be able to take down a varmint in one shot...
Any suggestions, and no I don't want a convention gunpowder rifle as I already have one of them.
You will shoot your eye out.
You win the internets for today!
IIRC, Crossman made pretty good pellet rifles back in the day, they’re still around:
It's a lot of gun for the money, and if you discover that .177 is not doing the job you can switch to .22.
I have a ‘Rat problem too, but it’s less amenable to an airgun solution.
I know you asked for air rifle information, but I also had many tree pests that were invading my 6 pecan trees. I set out 2 live catch traps and trapped over 20 the first year.
I don’t think I would of had the patience, nor the time, to have shot them instead.
I just seen one in Sportsman Guide, a Walther single cock .177 pellet, 1400 fps with a scope for $153 if you are a member, $170 if you are not.
Go with something in .22 cal and a break barrel action.
If cost isn't an issue, but accuracy is: http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/AirForce_Ultimate_Condor_PCP_Air_Rifle/1469
I have a Crossman .177 and it’s still good, seals are good, action is good, and it’s probably close to 20 years old.
As accurate as a short barreled .22 if you’re within about 35 yards.
The .22 caliber Finger, a la Agent 86, Maxwell Smart.
Unlike his, yours apparently only has one shot.
I know you asked for air rifle information, but I also had many tree pests that were invading my 6 pecan trees. I set out 2 live catch traps and trapped over 20 the first year.
Could I live trap them and then use the air rifle? I don’t wanna hurt the neighborhood cats, which is why I am exploring options. I don’t wanna use a leg trap because I would feel really bad if I hurt a pet. I would rather use a live trap, but I don’t wanna catch and release my problem on someone else. I wanna dispatch the pest quickly and humanely as well so I don’t wanna use poisons which could hurt the predator chain as well.
What bait works best for tree rats?
Only because we live in a rural setting, and have all sorts of different situations than urban dwellers do I say “FWIW” here’s how I handle rats in trees: Rats in trees mean to me big nests consisting of trash, and twigs. I blast them out of the trees with a 3000 psi high pressure washer. Takes about 8-10 minutes of blasting from different angles to get the nests out of the trees, AND DOES NO HARM WHATSOVER TO THE BARK OF THE TREES AS SUGGESTED BY SOMEONE ON THE GARDENING THREAD A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
No nests, no rats. Last time I blasted the little b-stards nests was several years ago, and they never returned. I had three nests in three different trees around the property.
So if applicable to your situation OK, if not.....well good luck. I would believe the air guns would be only worth it if the rats make themselves available as targets often enough that you wouldn’t be wasting your time away from FREE REPUBLIC for hours waiting for them to appear so you could blast away at their worthless little carcasses.
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