Polk County, Des Moines Rat Control Situation:
Hi David, Great website! Thank you for providing that resource. I was hoping you might have a bit of advice for me. I looked but didn't see anything about dealing with rats that burrow in your backyard. We have a burrow that appears to be extensive (based on our scientific experiment of emptying all the water in a kiddie pool into the hole). It has been there in one shape or another since we moved into the home about a year ago. We have filled it with rocks, planted grass over it, covered it with large stones, nothing keeps the hole from reappearing. So far we have not seen any evidence of current habitation in our home but have an old house with a bad foundation and it doesn't seem impossible that rats could get in if they wanted to. We have been using a rat zapper baited with peanut butter out near the hole and where we think they would run for a week to no success. We don't leave it out during the day due to neighbors cats and a toddler. We know there are rats around because we see them from our windows in our neighbors bamboo patch every evening. We have been wary of hiring a pest control company based on the terrible stories you hear about them, but will use your list of referrals for wildlife control people. Just wondering if getting rid of the hole while it is outside is even feasible, something we should try on our own but just didnt think of the right strategy, or something a pro could handle. Thanks!!
Des Moines Rat Control Tip of The Week
What Is The Largest Size A Rat Can Get To Be?
With an average lifespan of about 2 - 3 years, some species of rats can grow as large as 4 pounds. But on average, almost all rats are bigger than mice. Also, the size of a rat fairly depends on the specie and the sex of the rat. Male rats usually are larger than females. They have a longer body frame with tails as long as their body and can grow as big as 2 lbs.
Domesticated rats usually do better when it comes to size mainly because they are provided with all they need to grow properly and healthily. For pet rats, an adult rat can grow to a length of 9 to 11 inches with a tail length of 7 to 9 inches. If properly managed, some large species of rats can even grow as long as 20 inches. It all depends on how well the rats are being managed and taken care of.
One of the most fascinating thing about rats is that having a large body size doesn't mean they won't be able to pass through small openings and enter into your home. Rats can compress their body in order to be able to pass through small openings. Provided the opening is wide enough to allow the easy passage of its head, it will pass through. Therefore, you shouldn't consider the fact that the rats in your neighborhood are too big to gain access to your home through small openings. Instead, you need to seal all small openings up as soon as possible to avoid a rat infestation.
When it comes to rats with large sizes, the Bosavi woolly rat is one of a kind. This specie of rat can weigh up to 3.5 lbs. and grow as long as 32 inches. Although, this particular specie of rat can only be found in volcanic caves.