Kent County, Grand Rapids Rat Control Situation:
My name in Nia, I have a horrible mouse and rat problem under my outside deck. I have called a local company and they put down bait traps. Every month they check them and all the bait is gone. I looked out the back window at night and see the mice ru Ning around from under deck into garage and along the sides of the house. I am soooooo scared one will get in the house. I hope it's not already. Please call me and direct me as to what I should do next. My husband acts as if he thinks it's not a big deal. Help me please.
Hi David, just been looking at your website. I have found a run into my compost bin and also in the 1/2 foot wide gravel soak away around my house this week. I obviously now need to get rid of the source of food, i.e. the compost bin and remove any shelter, so my mission is a good old tidy up in the back garden this weekend. However tonight i was kept awake by scratching in the house, gotta say freaked me out a little. I have already put poison down in a bait box this week which is already all gone!! So do i continue baiting or shall i trap them? Am i right in thinking that the poison will try them out so even if they die in the wall they wont smell or will they go seek water and hopefully die outside!!!! wishful thinking on my part i guess!! I just don't want stinking rats rotting in the walls! Anyways hope you can help, Kind regards Hayley in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Rat Control Tip of The Week
Black Rat Biology
The black rat (Rates Rattus) has likewise been known as a ship rat, rooftop rat, and old English rat, among other names. It is a long-tailed rodent that is native to Asia. However, it is found in practically all parts of the world today. Black rats prefer hotter zones, however, are profoundly versatile, and will look for cover in natural (woods) and unnatural (homes and structures) areas. It is bigger and more aggressive than its brown-colored cousin, but is more vulnerable to cold and has a more constrained diet. Black rats are generally omnivores. They are a genuine threat to ranchers since they will eat a wide scope of farming harvests, seeds, and feed. A large population of black rats can decimate a field of crops, or contaminate a barn full of feed and hay.
A common black rat is 5.02-7.19 in long, including its tail, and weights 4.12 oz. when fully grown. Notwithstanding its name, the black rat is normally not black. Its coat is typically extremely dark brown. In the wild, black rats want to settle in burrows made using the ground litter (leaves, twigs, etc.) found on timberland floors. In urban settings, they like attics and upper floors of structures, making homes from discovered litter, destroyed paper, and insulation.
They are also tasty meals for coyotes, wild dogs, and other predator winged animals. These obtrusive pests are difficult to dispose of once they move in. Talk with your neighborhood experts on approaches to shield your home from being overrun. Keeping your yard free of clutter, yard debris, standing water, and trash will deter them. You should keep all garbage in fixed holders, and pick up outside pet food and feed. Routinely check your home and building for cracks and openings that would give black rats a path to your home. Black rats are keener on living in their normal habitat than in your home; however, they will consistently exploit food, water, and safe shelter.
