Fairfax County, Fairfax County Rat Control Situation:
Hi David, Came across your web page and thought i would ask you some rat advice. We bought our home 2 years ago and we renovated for 2 months, so no one lived here for those two months. When we moved in, maybe about a week into living here, our bedroom bathroom had a rat in the toilet. I was in there cleaning, heard water splashes in the toilet and bam a rat, after about 30 flushes it went back down and we never saw a rat around again. Today, I'm walking down my hallway, I hear splash in the hallway bathroom toilet and there I see the rat peaking its head out. I close the lid and again I flushed it about 20 times. Currently waiting for the boyfriend to get home from work to handle the rest. What is your advice? We have a 3 year old daughter who constantly is using the restroom on her own, and it makes me sad that I now feel like I have to a toilet check before we let her use it. Do we have a rat problem? Plumping problem? Thank you for your time and any advice.
Hi David, I live in Fairfax County VA. When my husband was alive we seemed to be able to control the rats (for periods of time) in our non-insulated crawl space in our ceiling. We used the rat zappers and would kill 4 or 5 in about a weeks time and have months with no scampering in and out. Now, they are back and just aren't going for the zapper (bait remains untouched). So, I read your website and will try to find trails and buy some snap traps. It is difficult crawling up there as the ceiling tiles are not that strong and I would have to remain on the beams or fall through. Before we would be able to lure and catch them close to the ceiling hatch access. No such luck now. I hear them scamper in on the living room ceiling, be quiet all day and scamper out same way coming from the opposite side of the house. In other words, they seems to run the length of the house. My husband used to try and find outside access but had no luck. I am 68 years old and some what hesitant on the ladder. I could not find wildlife removal agencies on this Island except through regular Wildlife Control type agencies and I'm not sure how knowledgeable they are. So, maybe you have some ideas or will happen to be vacationing in the area soon. Ha, ha. There are tons of macadamia nut orchards and avocado trees on this street, so, rat heaven. I would appreciate any suggestions you may have,
Hi, thanks for your helpful info on your website. Do you know how to detect where the rat urine is? Or should I spray everywhere?
Fairfax County Rat Control Tip of The Week
Tips On Removing A Rat Stuck In A Dumpster
If you have a rat stuck in your dumpster, please, don't forget that this is a scared creature that is now under a lot of pressure and fear for its life. Try not to additionally irritate it or mess around with it, as it might attack you, trying to protect itself. Rats carry illnesses which they can transfer directly through bites, scratches, or if their saliva drops on an open wound on your skin.
Place a lethal snap trap inside the dumpster. Accurately managing rats implies eradicating the vermin. You will need to do this as fast as possible as to not prolong the rat's suffering. Killing a rat with a deadly wooden snap trap is the most accommodating method of disposing of that rat. The rat will be frightened, so you might want to smear some peanut butter on this trap. Leave the scene, and return two or three hours later to check whether the problem is solved. If the rat was caught, use a fabric, towel, or gloves to place the carcass in a fixed plastic holder, pack or sack, which you will then be able to toss in a garbage sack. Most urban areas will permit you to discard rat remains in your garbage bin; however, you should first check your local laws.
You can also help the rat escape. You might not have any desire to kill the rat out of the blue, and would instead like to assist it with liberating itself to continue its life. The rat is stuck presumably in light of the fact that the dumpster isn't full enough, and it hasn't got anything to climb on. Toss in some more trash, or add a branch or something comparable for the rat to move up on. Stay away or leave the scene completely.
If all else fails, you can always call a wildlife removal expert.
