Duke,
I have plans for a floating colony trap that will catch multiple 'rats that you do not have to be real handy to build and only costs a couple bucks to build. Depending on how large you want to make it it could hold 8-10 'rats that quietly drown after they enter the trap. It is a set it and forget it type that needs no daily attention.
I use that and quick kill Conibear traps rather than the foothold type. Every year I eliminate them from my pond but they come back every spring.
With my dogs and grandkids I don't want to use any kind of chemicals around the pond and it is illegial to shoot 'rats in Michigan.
To be "P.C." you should check your state and local game laws as everyplace is different
I would be glad to e-mail the article to you if you would like to try it.
Dan
