Genus Neotoma

Call them Neotoma lepida, Neotoma albigula, Neotoma cinera or Neotoma devia if you like. In Arizona we call those fuzzy little bastards pack-rats. While I do have a leaning towards a Buddhist philosophy, I do understand that for some people pack-rats can evoke a desire for flame throwers and wood-chippers.

They are a problem that stretches across all social and financial demographics. Say, for example, if you just bought a new Hummer and one morning you wake up to find your electrical system has been chewed up...you can thank the pack-rat. If that weren't bad enough, I doubt your insurance would cover random acts of rodents.

We have two large wooden traps set out for them that have been unsuccessful so far. If the Wooden Welcome Mats don't work, the next step is a live trap and then drown them for a hearty breakfast of Coyote Crunch served up Sonoran style in the wash nearby our home. Poisoning them would not be responsible since they either die and rot in the insulation or worse yet, die where they can be consumed by and poison other wildlife.

Every year they come and go...doing their damage in varying amounts. The good news is that they usually leave just before the poisonous toads.

If we score a kill or not...I'll let you know.