Cook County, Chicago Rat Control Situation:
David, I have had a mice problem in my attic and basement for some time and this season it has been very bad. We have had exterminators come in and put poison down but we keep hearing them in the attic. We need to find someone who can perform the complete service as you describe on your website. I know you are in Fla and I am in Chicago, but do you know of someone who can help us? I live in Aurora, IL near Chicago, and we have a problem with some kind of critter. We have set spring traps, laid out poison bait and the only thing that they have done is eat the bait, but nothing has died yet. I don't know what they are, but I have seen the poop and it resembles a rat or squirrel, they chew around the clock and it's hard to scare them off from chewing once they begin, no matter how much we jump up and down on the floor. We would like to know if you service this area, and if not can you recommend anyone who does. We really need someone who will erradicate whatever we have, it appears that there are a few of them by now, because we can hear them in a couple different areas at a time. I look forward to hearing from you asap. Thank you. Denise
I've got a rental property (a side by side duplex) in Chicago Illinois, and currently have a problem with rats in the eaves and attic. It's a two story brick building, and the squirrels have been noted to be entering and exiting through vented openings between the roof and 2nd floor of the building. The tenant has reported hearing them in the walls immediately behind the vents, as well as potentially in the attic ceiling (it's a finished attic.) I've read enough to know that female rats often use attics as nesting places to have and raise their babies, and that is likely the issue we have here. Would it be possible to have someone come to the property and check on this situation? Thanks, Wick
Chicago Rat Control Tip of The Week
Why Don't Repellents Work Well To Get A Rat Out Of The Attic?
The urgent need for people to get rid of rats in their attic has made many consider humane removal methods apart from trapping and killing, one of which is the use of repellents. But here is the question! Do repellents work in getting rats out of attics?
The main idea of a repellent is to make the environment unsuitable for rats. This is achieved by using several techniques such as, scents and sound emissions. Although there is a wide range of repellents to choose from, the fact is that the use of repellents might not give you the kind of result that you desire in the long run. It might help keep them away for a while, but when the effects of the repellents subside, they will come back.
Let's take a look at some supposed effective rat repellents and how they were designed to work. With this, you will have a clear picture of the result you might get when you choose to use repellents to get rid of the rats in your attic.
Scent repellents are one of the most common repellents that are readily available in stores. This repellent is designed to use intense scent to either irritate or nauseate the rats. When used the first time, this might help repel the rats as intended. But with time, these rats will get used to this scent and will tend to stay until they get accustomed to it.
Another commonly used rat repellent is mechanical repellents. Apart from being ineffective, they are also very expensive. These repellents are designed to use sound and light waves to repel rats in the attic. This will also not give the desired results simply because rats are intelligent animals and will figure out that the mechanism can't cause any harm to them.
Having realized this, the best thing you can do to repel rats in your attic is by making it less appealing to them. This can be done by cleaning out the trash and making sure there are no hiding places for the rats.