Denver County, Denver Rat Control Situation:
Wanted to first thank you for the information on your site. A couple of days ago we started to house sit for someone for a couple of weeks. We noticed some evidence of mice the first night we were here and set some traps. Within 15 minutes we caught a mouse behind the stove. We hoped that was the end of it but had our doubts. Sure enough the next morning we heard some running around below the floor boards of the attic which we were sleeping in. We had eight traps set throughout the house but for a couple of days there was no signs or catchings other than a little pitter patter in the morning under the floor boards in the attic. Well just tonight we came back from a day long excursion and sure enough we had another mouse in the trap. We had our concerns though that we may have killed the parents to an unknown number of little mice. Sure enough a few hours later we are hearing little squeeks coming from beneath the floor of the attic. We are not sure how young these little kid mice are but we are curious about what your experiences is in the responses little mice would have when their parents no longer are available to them. We figure the younger they are the more dependent they are on their parents for survival, but what does that mean? We suppose if they are very young they won't survive very long and it may be difficult to get to them before or after their demise. If they are older though, hunger may overcome them and they will start to work their way out of the safe envirenment they have been accostomed to. How long could this process take and even if they do come out would they be up to feasting on the traps? Looking forward to your response Thanks
My response: Jeez, I have no clue. There are probably several adults. The young may starve then die. They'll be so small that they won't cause an odor. You need to seal your house shut to stop the mouse problem entirely.
Denver Rat Control Tip of The Week
Will Rats Hide From People?
The survival instinct of rats leads them to be cautious animals. The fear of being eaten by other predators makes them live in dark places and avoid being seen in broad daylight. People who come in contact with a rat may have several reactions, but the most common one is panic trying to shoo it away or kill it with whatever they have on hand. This situation causes fear in rodents who will look for hiding places and avoid being seen again.
The Mystery Of Smell
Rats use their powerful sense of smell as an effective survival technique. Through odors, a rat can perceive a predator, including species that are still unknown to the animal. Surprisingly, rats flee from cats not only because they know they may be eaten, but also because cat saliva contains chemicals that cause fear when rodents detect them.
Rats Are Pests To Humans
Farmers usually farm in warm places with relative humidity. Likewise, city dwellers tend to have a busy lifestyle, so their environment can quickly lead to clutter and disorder. Both scenarios are perfect for rodents who need the shelter and food provided by a barn, a dump, a messy house, or a sewer.
Rats are quite practical and, if necessary, can adapt to living anywhere, even in a somewhat messy house. The conditions for living comfortably and reproducing are emphasized in people's homes.
Human beings can unknowingly provide rodents with everything they need to survive, turning them into a pest. Rats, being able to take advantage of everything, from rigorously stored food to napkins thrown away, are able to grow as a population. The main consequence of a growing rodent population is the damage to people's health.
