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
How Far And High Can A Rat Jump?
Jumping is a major part of many animals' survival instincts including rats. But in the case of these small rodents, they have a special way of using this particular survival instinct to their best advantage. One of the most common rats around, which is the brown rat, is known to be able to jump over four feet horizontally or in a downward slope and leap vertically to about 77 centimeters without hurting itself. This clearly shows how high rats can jump and how well they can suspend themselves in the air.
The jumping performance of rats depends mainly on their species because some rats are big while others have lighter bodies which tend to support agile movements. For instance, black rats with lean bodies are known to be able to leap over five feet. While brown rats with large body frames find it quite difficult to leap but do well at jumping downwards.
Another reason why some rats jump better than others is mainly because of their better survival instincts and hunting abilities. Rats in the wild are better at jumping than those in the suburban and urban areas. Therefore, you shouldn't expect the rats in your home to jump or leap that high.
Rats are naturally silent animals and will prefer to move around unnoticed. But in some cases, they make use of their jumping skills. One of the special cases in which they use their jumping skills is when they see a possible threat or a predator. They often use this to propel their speed and get away as soon as they can. Their speed and swift body movements are one of the ways they can stay alive and avoid been eaten by a predator.
