Whatcom County, Bellingham Rat Control Situation:
Hello David, I found your website very interesting. It didn't answer all of my questions so maybe you can help me out. I live in a two-story row home in Bellingham WA that is attached to neighboring row homes on both sides. I renovated the house and moved in a few months ago. I have a cat that is an excellent mouser. She has proven herself in my last home but I have not seen evidence of her catching any mice here. In fact, I have not seen any evidence of mice here at all since I have moved in, although there was evidence prior to my renovations. For the past week I have been hearing a lot of scurrying sounds in the ceiling cavity between the first and second floors. It happens mostly at night, but sometimes during the day on the weekends. It could also be happening while I am away at work. The only way I could access this cavity would be by cutting holes in the ceiling from the first floor. For this reason I am tempted to try poisons instead of traps, but I know your website does not recommend this. My neighbors on both sides of me tell me that they have mice in their homes. They are not as fortunate as I to have a good cat. I am not worried about mice in my living spaces. If they do manage to get through the drywall my cat will take care of them in a very short time. I am worried about damage to my wiring in the ceiling, and my wife's peace of mind in regards to the scurrying sounds at night. I believe the mice are using my ceiling cavity as a highway to travel between my neighbors homes. I believe I have sealed up all of the openings on the exterior of my home. I cannot say the same for my neighbors. To make a long question short, what do you recommend?
I am desperate & concerned for my family.I just want the rat problem gone forever. How much would you charge to come out to my house & complete this step by step process to get rid of the rats once and for all. After reading your article, I am convinced my regular Bellingham pest control company cannot completely resolve my problem. They have sealed up obvious points of entry with metal screens, behind which they have placed scent deterrents. You say this is not effective. I would agree as the rats are gnawing on my roof, trying to break back in. My garden is large with natural food sources from plant seeds, but otherwise is clean. I do not leave pet food, garbage or other food sources available. The crawl spaces are clean. How can I keep rodents from wanting to break into my attic? The pest control company says that the scent left by the former residents of my attic is attracting the new rodents. It's their 'scent trail' to tell them where 'home' is. I understand their strong desire to find a place to live. I read that fake owls and scent deterrents do not work. I do not want to poison the animals. I had agreed to snap trap the ones that were in the attic but only because the service would not live trap them. What now?
Bellingham Rat Control Tip of The Week
Are rats comfortable in cold weather?
As winter arrives, the cold increases, and the consequences of this change in weather are vast. Animals like rats will look to survive during these times. The principal necessity for them to be comfortable in these temperatures include refuge and food.
People's homes are perfect for rats to shelter from the cold. They are designed to give the security and benefits needed for a warm environment. As the cold increases, the rat's muscles start tensing, lowering their immune system to the point of making them more likely to get sick.
People and rats living in the same house are a bad combination
The danger of getting diseases is caused by the accumulation of feces that promotes bacteria development all over the house.
These microorganisms produce very dangerous diseases and infections, among them, the best known for its severity is leptospirosis that is caused by ingesting food contaminated with rodents' urine and feces.
The structural damage that living with rats can cause
Damages caused by rats are attributed by the capacity of their jaws to gnaw. They gnaw on materials like wood, plastic or even cables that, despite being hard, these are not an impediment for their teeth. During colder temperatures, their metabolism needs more energy to stay warm.
Among the activities to obtain this energy are eating and gnawing. On many occasions, this can cause dangerous accidents, such as fires thanks to short circuits caused by bitten cables. Economic losses can range from a pair of shoes to the entire house.
Living together with rodents is harmful for your health and bank account. You should know that when winter arrives, the rain and cold will make them find refuge, so you have to take preventative measures as a defense weapon against this urban plague.
