Montgomery County, Dayton Rat Control Situation:
Thanks for your excellent web page -- But here's the problem we are having: some sort of squirrelish-looking, rat-tailed tree rat variety has already taken over our attic en masse. I have no idea how they are getting in. They first appeared when we were removing large, dangerous trees from our yard. One attraction may have been the bird seed in our storage room, which they chewed open the bags and made a feast of it all around. They pitter-patter all night, literally re-arranging the attic and storage room -- and sounding as if they are trying to claw through the ceiling. The number of them is truly terrifying when I enter the storage room. They haven't gotten into our house yet -- they seem content with the remnants of seeds thus far. How do we get rid of them?
David, I found your page while searching for how to get rid of rats in the walls. We hear them crawling around the ceiling and walls. We have seen them in our garage which is honestly full of junk. Last night, I went out there and saw one for the first time and it ran over all kinds of stuff and disappeared into a small hole in the wall. I put an electric rat trap by the opening. I have gone to the attics and see a few droppings in one but nothing like I saw in the garage. I have no idea how to get these bastards out of my walls and ceilings. I have tried putting my cat out in the garage but he hasn't caught one yet. Any help you can offer is appreciated.
Hello David, I just bought a house and the second night I was sleeping, heard attic noises and am sure it was a rat or mice, scratching. I got so shook up I couldn't sleep all night. Is there someone you could recommend to help me? I live in Dayton OH. Thank you!
Hi David! Iam going crazy with this! I have something chewing and spitting out little bites from my mats I have in my basement. I have a daycare down there, I have an exterminator for mice and water bugs once a month. But there is gnawing at my mats! With no droppings. I know during the course of chewing there should be droppings. And there is quiet a few sections if knawing. I was wondering what it could be?? Please help me! Thank you!!!
Dayton Rat Control Tip of The Week
New York City's Rat Problem
The Norway Rat:
The majority of rats in New York City are Norway rats, otherwise known as brown rats. Brown rats typically weigh 1 pound and they can grow up to 16 inches long. A brown rat needs just 1 ounce of food and water every day to survive.
Agile Creatures:
Brown rats are known for their ability to climb through pipes and get through small spaces. Even though some of the largest brown rats can be up to 20 inches long and weigh more than 2 pounds, it's easy for them to fit through a hole that's the size of a quarter. Rats have some serious superpowers and are capable of falling up to five stories without any injury and leaping up to 4 feet for climbing.
Going Through Any Material:
Rats also have extremely strong jaw muscles and quality teeth. There are rats in New York that are capable of chewing through cinderblocks and sewer pipes.
Where Rats Live:
Most rats will rarely travel more than 600 feet away from the area that they were born. Most rats like to nest and burrow in soft ground as well as below ground to live in colonies. A rat colony is usually between 30 to 50 rats and the number of rats in a burrow or family is usually between 8 to 12. Rats stay close to their food source and they can often be found just a few hundred feet from where they go every day to be fed. Public garbage areas, alleyways, and more can be a hotbed for rats and NYC produces its own information portal on areas where rats are heavily concentrated.
Massive Population:
It's estimated that there are roughly 2,000,000 rats in New York City and this means that the rat population in New York City sits around 25% of the total number of humans.
