Jefferson County, Birmingham Rat Control Situation:
Hello David, I believe I have roof rats in my attric and I would like your help. Would you be able to come to my house this week to see what we have going on and let me know the cost? Besides the trapping, do you also do the clean up? I see a bunch of poop up there and don't want to get sick for it staying up there. Thanks you!
Beth, My partner Ben is the rat expert. He does perfect rat control work. Ben is available any day this week. He will do an inspection of the house and attic, and find out how the rats are getting in your home, and seal shut all the entry holes. He sets traps throughout the attic to trap and remove all the rats until they are all gone. The process usually takes 3 service visits, and the cost of the project usually ranges around the $300 - $400 range total, unless you require many repairs, in which case the price could be higher. If you want a free inspection and price quote, Ben can do that. If you accept, he sets the traps and starts the repairs right away. Ben also does attic cleanup and decontamination. He will be able to quote that after an attic inspection. Depending on how big the attic is, and how many droppings, the decon runs from $200 - $300. Ben will call you later today to set up an appointment time.
Thank you for responding so quickly. :) Thank you for your help! Ok, I'm in for the removal for sure! My house is about 1800 livable sq ft with a 2 car garage. I believe my attic is 2400 sq ft. How do you accept payment? Checks? Credit cards? I'd like a quote on the clean up too. I won't be able to do that this week, but I know it has to get done. It's just bad timing with money at the moment...but after my tax return come in we'll be back in business. My husband is available Tu-F morning from 9-10:30am. I'm available tomorrow any time after 3pm and evenings the rest of the week. When you have time, call me and we'll set it up. Thank you so much. If possible, I'd like to have something in motion by Thursday. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Birmingham Rat Control Tip of The Week
Rats And Black Pepper
Rats eat almost anything. In their search for food, they can gnaw on plastic, wood, and even electrical wiring. A rat presence in your home can cause a lot of economic damage.
When this expense is added to the health problems rats' body fluids can cause, the best thing a person can do is getting them out of the house as soon as possible. The most common extermination way is using traps or rodenticides. However, there are more natural methods such as the use of peppers that cause unpleasant odors and tastes for the rodent and quickly drive them away.
Odors That Repel
Using repellents with unpleasant odors for rats is a way to keep them away from you in a friendly way. The advantage of not having to deal with the rodent's carcass can be worth the effort of constantly using these temporary methods. Rodents use their sense of smell to socialize as well as to survive. An odor such as ammonia often drives them away because it is very similar to the urine of large animals that could devour them. Spicy odors are perceived as dangerous chemicals that are also often avoided at all costs.
Black Pepper
Spicy food odors are unbearable for rats, thanks to their high capsaicin content. These natural compounds give the food its spicy effect, but they are also often very irritating to the mucous membranes and lungs of rodents. If ingested, they can cause a burning sensation in the taste buds and olfactory glands. Pepper is known to be able to scare away rats temporarily although this is not scientifically proven.
For all those people who are afraid of having to deal with poisons or homemade traps, finding new and less harmful options is a headache; however, homemade repellents like black pepper avoid harming other animals and humans, being a perfect choice. In any case, even if they are harmless odors, it is advisable to seek the advice and follow the instructions of a professional in the field.
