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
What Is The Cost Of Rat Removal?
Having rats in your home comes with the immediate need to get them removed if you don't want them to cause damage that you can't afford. And to remove them permanently, you have to get it done properly.
The first thing you need to do is hire skilled professionals. We have seen many homeowners choose pest control companies where they are asked to pay a sum monthly just to remove the rats in their homes without getting the results they desired.
You can't afford to make the same mistake. If you want to hire a professional to help remove the rats in your home, you need to choose a wildlife removal service. Apart from getting rid of the rats in your home, they will find and seal off all possible entry holes and prevent further reentry. With their services, you will be able to get it done once and for all.
There is no exact fixed cost for removal. The amount you will be paying depends on several factors. Ideally, if the rat problem you are having in your home is not a complex one, the total cost of removing the rat might run between $300 to $500.
The cost of a rat removal service depends on the part of the country you reside in, the number of rats that need to be removed, the number of service traps that will be needed to remove all the rats, the number of repairs that need to be done, and if cleanup is needed after removing the rats.
The initial cost you will have to pay might seem expensive but you need to understand the fact that it is worth it.
