Baltimore City County, Baltimore Rat Control Situation:
Hi There. I just saw your website.... and i'm wondering if you wouldnt mind answering a couple questions for me. We live in Baltimore... We had a rat come in through our dryer vent (we've since had it replaced with one with a flap) and it made a little "home" in the laundry room. anyhow...that one was "caught" and disposed of. Being afraid there may be others in teh house....I put out some traps. My question is....one trap went off the other day...well i noticed it this morning...I didnt hear it or anything. Anyhow...the trap went off and the peanut butter was "flat" but showed no signs of "gnawing" or teeth in the PB that was remaining. The trap was set behind our hall stand and the stand may have been pushed into it by accident. Do you know if this would cause th rat trap to go off? or would the "trigger" have to be touched? Also, would there be "teeth" marks in the PB if it WAS a rat? Oh and the reason I wondered is that I found 4 droppings under the couch the other day (the other rat was disposed of about a week or so ago) and the droppings were brown. Do you know if the droppings woudl still be brown after a week as I wonder if it went under the couch and then back into the laundry room, which is just off the living room. And wonder if those droppings are "old". I have found NO other droppings to date. I'm guessing they would drop wherever they go vs just in a nest right? Thanks so much in advance!!!
Baltimore 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.