Detailed Explanation of Methods and Techniques for Catching Wild Bamboo Rats

Bamboo rat burrows are deep and mostly have branches, with the tunnels bending upward and to the left and right, hidden deep among bamboo stumps. Digging out the burrow alone or pouring water into it makes it very difficult to drive the bamboo rat out. Since bamboo rats do not have the habit of drinking water, forcing water in will make them drink their fill before running out, and even if caught at that point, they are difficult to keep alive.

The most effective method is to first scrape away the loose soil at the burrow entrance, pile dry grass at the entrance, light it, then add fresh grass and green leaves, and throw a few chili peppers into the fire. When burning, it gives off a large amount of pungent black smoke, then fan the black smoke into the burrow. After 2~3 minutes, the bamboo rat cannot withstand the pungent black smoke and runs out of the burrow. Note that adult wild bamboo rats, when stimulated by the smoke, are very fierce when rushing out of the burrow and will bite anyone they see. If you do not pay attention to the catching method, you can easily be bitten by them.

When the bamboo rat rushes out of the burrow, do not hit or press it with a wooden stick. Instead, use a hemp sack or woven bag to scoop and catch it and put it into an iron cage. Use the method of one cage per litter to transport them home for domestication.