We don't have irrigation but when it rains we get out our sprinklers and give the grounds and gardens a good soak beforehand. It helps the water go deeper into the ground and we don't have to water in between as much as our neighbours do. They think we are crazy but Dad was a farmer and swears by it. Just seeing how much our neighbours have to water is enough proof enough for me.
Ever think about drilling two holes in the trap and putting in on the tree where you seen the rat could even get a conibear trap size 110 and bait it on the tree so when he runs up and grabs the bait it goes off
Get some Tom Cat bait. Place in can with plastic lid with a few holes in it. The rats will chew through the lid and take bait back to nest. Can keeps your animals safe but allows rats to get it.
Could you possibly do a pros and cons of living/homesteading in Arizona? I plan on moving somewhere in the next couple years that is hotter and has a longer growing season than here in Ohio.
You know you row to grow garlic you should grow cress or something tha grows in a few weeks and Harvest it and then plant you garlic so you get more produce form yh garden
Rat are extremely smart. They are like dogs and are very trainable! Very good companions if you can get past any prejudice of seeing them as gross pests... :(