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
Can Rats Kill Mice?
Before providing an answer to this question, first of all, you need to be able to differentiate between a rat and mouse. As you must already know, they are both rodents and are quite identical. Without precisely knowing the differences between these two rodents, it will be quite difficult to know how they relate with each other and if rats do kill mice or it's just another myth.
To help you understand this in the best possible way, we will be taking a look at some of the qualities possessed by both rodents. After which we will address the main topic which is whether rats are capable of killing mice or not.
Rats
Rats are medium sized rodents with sizes bigger than that of mice. They have long tails and are very active compared to mice. The most common household rat is the black rat and this particular specie of rat is bigger than mice and also very active.
Mice
On the other hand, mice are smaller rodents with a pointed snout and small round eyes. These rodents have uniform traits; hence they often tend to look very identical. They are very docile when compared to their rat counterparts.
Having shared all these, by now you should categorically be able to differentiate between rats and mice. Coming back to the question above, the fact is rats are capable of killing mice. This habit is only exhibited when rats are faced with starvation and the only option left is to kill and feed on them.
Also, a change in environmental conditions can trigger their hunting senses and make them kill mice. Apart from any of these conditions, rats killing mice doesn't usually occur. You might have rats and mice in your home at the same time causing a nuisance.
