Yes, my plan is to just manually zap them when I see them. I like your idea but it's more than I need.
The setup I described is my frist iteration without the remote control.
Iteration 1 (no remote):
9V battery > Transformer > Terminals for shocking.
With iteration 1 I was just manually connecting the positive wire to the positive on the 9V battery anytime I wanted to zap them. Worked like a charm, but when they see me approaching the "control" with the battery, etc, they run away! They're making a game out of it, so I want to be hidden and out of sight when I shock them. Note I need to be inside, and the food is outside. I am currently running the wire through a crack in my sliding glass patio door, which is not idea since its 30 degrees here.
Iteration 2 (with wireless doorbell):
3x 1.5v batteries > Doorbell Output wires > Transformer > Terminals for shocking.
In this second iteration, the shock was very minor.
I don't need/want to kill anything, but a shock at least as strong as the initial iteration is needed. I can handle the shock but it is not friendly
Any further thoughts after this clarification?
Thanks again, and I will check out the rat zap...