Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor Rat Control Situation:
I came accross your article about killing rats or rodents in the attic. I had a very bad squirrel infestation in my attic, and I had to get professional help. They did just what you recommended by putting cages in two places on or near the roof that were accessable to the attic. It did work for a long time. About eight years in fact. Had no problem after that until now. This problem just started, and I am not sure what is running up there. So far I have not seen any evidence . I never considered rats, but if it is that, I will start leaving a bunch of heavy duty snap traps right away. There is no way however that with the size of my attic, that I am ever going to find their entrance and exit points. I may have to resort to the professional again . Thanks for your info. I hope It might do the trick.
Aloha David! Am I glad to find you! Read your site a few minutes and saw your invite to e-mail you and here I am. Our great hunter cat just brought a baby rat to the front door and when I opened it, I THINK he carried the little creature in. happened so fast, I'm not sure it was in his mouth, but I'm pretty sure and worried about it if he did. He must have been ready to play with it some more, dropped it in the room as he came in, and now I don't know what to do. We share a house, and this room is our bedroom / living room with lots of nooks and crannies, dressers, couch and places to hide..... and die. It was stil very young, so maybe not weaned yet? Can babies survive without a momma rat? It had about a 3-4" long body and a 4-5" tail maybe. It was playing dead by the door and suddenly Kitty Kun, picked it up and ran in with it. (I think) Don't know if it was injured, but I'm also worried about fleas fleeing if the rat dies. What to do? Thanks so much, am especially worried about germs and fleas. With warm aloha, Gail
Ann Arbor Rat Control Tip of The Week
Can Rats Make Chirping Noises?
Rats are nocturnal animals; they avoid brightly lit places at all costs and prefer damp, dark places out of sight. But because of their great agility and incredible dexterity, they can fit into any place and their presence will be almost imperceptible, due to the low sound frequency they emit.
Rats Communicate
Although they obviously cannot talk, rats have the ability to communicate through pheromones, which are chemical substances secreted by living beings; they use these to warn other rats about any danger. Also, they use vocalizations (almost imperceptible sounds), to associate with pain, discomfort, or uneasiness.
They have other sounds in a higher ultrasonic frequency to identify well-being. It is said that there are specific interactions using a shriek; sexual activities, communication between mother and pup, or situations where the aggressiveness of other rats can be identified.
So Are Rats' Sounds Really Imperceptible?
Their sound is almost imperceptible to the human ear, but among them, this form of communication is very powerful. Their senses of smell, touch, and hearing are highly developed and this is what allows them to walk so boldly through the night.
But if we pay attention and are close enough, we can perhaps hear their gnawing, prowling, and even fighting movements. Just keep in mind that if you are close enough to perceive their screeching, it is because the rat feels in danger and these animals, unlike mice, can attack!
Can This Squeak Affect The Human Ear?
These sounds could not affect in any way your ear; but it may affect our well-being, as their sound can attract more and more rats over time, and this can become a real headache.
Surely you don't want to have a family of rats hanging around your house, your kitchen, or your restaurant. The best thing to do is get rid of rats as soon as you realize they are present in your property.
