Certainly rats; if you saw/trapped 3, you have 30. There are a lot of good products to control rats, so choose one.

30? Argh.

Any recommendations for a way to get rid of them that doesn't put other animals in danger, such as Barn Owls. I have heard that poisoned rats can kill owls. I have tried rat traps but somehow they eat the peanut butter without setting off the traps. Even made a bucket trap baited with chocolate cake but only caught one rat.

Most rat poisons are warfarin based, which has a low toxicity for secondary users (things that eat dead rats. Most owls will only eat live rats; but in the worst case your owls will be safe. I would put the rat poison in a bait station (a 4" PVC tube) so the rats will go in to eat it, but children and dogs will not.

Jonmeer, warfarin based rodenticide have been banned in CA for 2-3 years.

Squirels will also eat citrus bark.

Rodents eating the bark of my trees has caused various damage.

Regarding prunning, it is what is, prunning or not doesn't matter.

There is always the air rifle option

So no warfarin. Any other ideas folks?

Why doesn't pruning matter, Jim?

Okay, it's California, so whatever rat poison you can buy is safe for owls, canaries, neighborhood cats, beetles, etc.... buy it, put in a 4" tube and be done with the rats.

Regarding pruning, the damaged branch may not die. Give it a year or two.

There are CA legal rat poisons available.

When you bait the traps, first wire a nutmeat to the trigger. They'll get the peanut butter, but not the nut.

Sounds like you've done this before, Jean! Thanks for the hint.

Been here 30 years but until last year never had a gnawing problem on the citrus. I have lost a few small branches. It is not just lemon, all citrus have had a bit. I tried wrapping aluminum foil around branch but that was not practical with branches. I tried making a paste with pepper flakes but they dry out and fall off. Spray made from hot peppers is not ok on the fruit. I have had some luck with tanglefoot. Apply with tongue depressor and I suggest plastic gloves. Good luck.