Mecklenburg County, Charlotte Rat Control Situation:
Hi David, great website and thanks for all the tips. I got a couple questions related to a rat trapped in my garage for the past 6 weeks. He got in because the garage door was left open and can't get out. I've place 4 snap traps baited with peanut butter in areas that he frequents as well as along walls. I've also placed glue traps in similar areas. This rat has avoided all these traps so far but he did trigger a bunch of smaller snap mouse traps that I placed weeks ago when I thought he was a mouse, and not a rat. Questions: 1.) how long do I wait for him to trigger a snap trap? I think he's pretty hungry since I took out any potential for food for him out of the garage. 2.) should I move my cars out of the garage for fear of him gnawing at the hoses/wires? 3.) do you think I can "flush" him out...remove all cars, boxes, stuff, places for him to hide and chase him out of the garage? 4.) can they gnaw through metal pipes? I still don't know where he is getting his water source? 5.) any other ideas/suggestions? Borrow my neighbors cat? Thanks for your help.
My response: That's very strange. If a rat wants to get out, it can get out. Why not leave the garage door open for a few minutes? How do you know it's still there?
Don't know if he wants to get out now that he has a warm place to live. I still see his poop and pee that he leaves every night. I actually saw him face to face as I was surveying the damage he is doing to stuff inside my garage. I am contemplating on trying to "flush" him out by moving all my boxes out so he has nowhere to hide. What do think about that option? Or should I just buy more snap traps? Or borrow a cat?
I guess you could try to borrow a cat, but that doesn't always work. Sounds like your current snap traps aren't working. Maybe a live cage trap?
Charlotte Rat Control Tip of The Week
Why Won't The City Or County Animal Services Help Me With A Rat Infestation?
If you discover rats frequently in and around your home or see a lot of rat droppings, you may have a rat infestation. This clearly is awful news and for various reasons. Not only can rats bite on wires, wood, and even though dividers, causing immense damage to your home or business, but they also carry diseases. Despite general thinking, rats are not clean - they are perfect when kept as pets, however out in the wild, they can and will spread illnesses. What are your options with regards to a detected rat issue? Would it be advisable for you to contact the nearby animal control, deal with it yourself, or recruit an expert wildlife control service?
Will the city or county animal services help? The short answer is no. They are only liable for public spots. If your concern is with the surrounding area around your home, similar to a recreation center or abandoned public spaces that have become swarmed by rats, you may have a shot at getting them to help you out. However, if we're discussing your own property, which is private property that belongs to you, the local authorities have no business interfering. What's more, if they will, it is to advise you to deal with the infestation as it can spread, and depending on where you live, there may be local laws that can target you and force you to do something about it.
