Summit County, Akron Rat Control Situation:
Thank you for your generously informative and amusing website. I have a medium-sized brown rat living behind my fridge. This evening, I moved the fridge away from the wall, so that, at worst, my cat can intimidate the rat. The rat ran into an under-sink cupboard which never closed properly, but I have secured it. Maybe the rat won't come back out! If the rat returns, I'd like to set a Victor trap, but fear that my cat might break a leg or paw. Also, for 7 years, I've left dry food out for my cat all day (she's not fat), and hate to change my (her) habits. But this is what the rat has been living on, as I discovered when I did a preliminary cleaning behind the fridge. Any ideas? Thank you for your consideration..
David, Hi, I read lots of info on your website, and thank you for putting it out there for us. I know a lady who has had rats in her attic for several years. She has done nothing toward getting them out. As a means of bartering with her, I am trying to help her out. So, one day I got on the roof and cut down all of the tree limbs that the rats were using as ladders to get up there. One company told me they will not come out for less than $175 for that service. So I guess I have credit for at least that much. Now, what I need to know is this: She needs a serious clean up in the attic. The rats were living and nesting in there, and I need to know the value of putting the traps in and doing the cleaning. So, can you tell me what that is worth? I know you are in another area, but I am sure that the cost would be similar, as I am in Akron Ohio. I have other questions, but don't want to ask for too much now. Thank you, and please let me know the hourly rate of these services. Have a nice day---blaire
Akron Rat Control Tip of The Week
Are Cats Good at Keeping Rats Away?
When it comes to removing rats from homes, the use of cats in hunting these rodents is one of the best natural ways of getting that done. Cats and rats are natural enemies; hence cats are good at keeping rats away. The only issue with keeping cats to remove rats from your home is that there is a high probability of it being prone to catching other non-target animals like frogs, birds, and lizards. Also, there are no guarantees that the cat you bring into your home to keep rats away will help catch the rat within a specific time.
Apart from the hunting skills that cats use to remove rats, the scent of a cat will also make rats stay away from your home. Rats have a well-developed sense of smell and can easily pick up slight scents. With this, they can sense the presence of a cat in a particular area and stay as far as possible away from it. This survival instinct of rats will send them packing.
But for this to work the way you want it to, you need to find a cat that displays typical hunting behavior. Naturally, cats do have hunting instincts and the urge to catch rats. But this only gets triggered when the right environment is in place or the cats are encouraged to do so.
If you want a cat with a good hunting instinct, the first thing you need to do is to make inquiries as to whether the mother of the kitten was a good hunter or not. Cats learn the required hunting skills from their mother. If you want the cat you will be introducing into your home to be a good hunter, it will need to learn these hunting skills from its mother.
Are cats good at keeping rats away?
When it comes to removing rats from homes, the use of cats in hunting these rodents is one of the best natural ways of getting that done. Cats and rats are natural enemies; hence cats are good at keeping rats away. The only issue with keeping cats to remove rats from your home is that there is a high probability of it being prone to catching other non-target animals like frogs, birds, and lizards. Also, there are no guarantees that the cat you bring into your home to keep rats away will help catch the rat within a specific time.
Apart from the hunting skills that cats use to remove rats, the scent of a cat will also make rats stay away from your home. Rats have a well-developed sense of smell and can easily pick up slight scents. With this, they can sense the presence of a cat in a particular area and stay as far as possible away from it. This survival instinct of rats will send them packing.
But for this to work the way you want it to, you need to find a cat that displays typical hunting behavior. Naturally, cats do have hunting instincts and the urge to catch rats. But this only gets triggered when the right environment is in place or the cats are encouraged to do so.
If you want a cat with a good hunting instinct, the first thing you need to do is to make inquiries as to whether the mother of the kitten was a good hunter or not. Cats learn the required hunting skills from their mother. If you want the cat you will be introducing into your home to be a good hunter, it will need to learn these hunting skills from its mother.
