Fulton County, Atlanta Rat Control Situation:
Hello, I ran across your article rats in the Attic online earlier today. I have some type of critter that moved in a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was a squirrel until I read your article that said squirrels are diurnal in nature. The thing in my attic is most active around 11pm, I can hear it move around a little bit and chewing on something-it sounds like a handsaw operating, and then again about 6am when it chews much more often and much louder. Is this symptomatic of a squirrel or could it be something else? You say rats live in the attic at night, but I don't even want to say the word rat. I live in Southeast Atlanta Georgia, so I'm not sure it's a flying squirrel, and it's definitely not big enough to be a raccoon or a opossum. Any help you could offer me would be very much appreciated. Thank you!
My response: Sounds like rat activity to me. Maybe you should have a wildlife expert come out and inspect your attic. You've got to find out how the rats are getting in, and seal those areas shut with steel.
Hi, I have a rat in my mini van and I can't get rid of it. I have tried traps - they didn't work. Poison - I think this rat thrives on it . I‘ve clean the van of any food and as it is a newish van there isn't anyway to get in. Help! Minnie
David, I live in Atlanta, not near you in Orlando, but I was looking over your photos of the rats. What are you using for bait on the snap traps or does it vary? Specifically dealing with roof rats and have you used traps outside? I'm fairly sure that I have most of the roof rats (sealed all points and it's been a while) but I feel like making sure by setting a few traps. Any hints would be greatly appreciated.
I bait the traps with a thin spread of peanut butter. But the location of the traps is 10x as important as the bait. Set the traps in areas of high rat activity.
Atlanta Rat Control Tip of The Week
Is Trapping Rats Legal?
When it comes to trapping rats, there has been a misconception for quite some time as many house owners think it is illegal. This is nothing but a myth, so if you are planning to get a trap to remove the rats in your home, you are legally allowed to do so.
Rats are one of the most destructive household pests. Being carriers of diseases and different types of disease-causing organisms, they contaminate the surface of your home and any of your food substances that they come in contact with. Also, these pests bring in highly inflammable materials into your home and rip off electrical cables that are capable of igniting a fire. All these clearly show how dangerous they are to you and your property and why you need to get rid of them as early as you can.
Apart from the need to get rid of this major household pest, the use of traps is the fastest and the best way to get rid of rats. Although, the use of glue traps has been labeled by PETA and The Humane Society as an inhumane way of trapping rats. With the exception of the inhumane aspect of glue traps, the use of traps is completely legal.
So if you are thinking of removing the rats in your home, you can go ahead and use a trap.