[SWHouston]

Given how we cherish our little guys, all of us make sure that our yards are literally fortresses. Unless you take your little one(s) out "hunting" as I do, they don't have a chance to actually "catch" anything.

Actually, though I do allow the hunt, I'm not really interested in them actually catching a prey, it's just the chase I want them to experience. However, they do occasionally succeed.

Just to make sure that the "odds" are slanted toward the Varmints, I leave peanuts and corn out for the Squirrels, and a old scrap Skillet for our resident Possum, which allows any stray to come by and at least get a nibble. Two watering dishes as well out on the property, rounds out a bare necessity for them.

One of our regular strays is an old yellow Cat, who is barely friendly, and sits at a few feet distance, when we put the scraps out for them. I haven't seen a Mouse/Rat in my neighborhood for years.

The Possum and Cat would in most cases be considered a nuisance, however, I conciser them a resource.