Guilford County, Greensboro Rat Control Situation:
I am having a problem with Nordic Rats in my chicken coop. Over the last year, I have caught 7 skunks (live trap), 1 possum (live trap), 10 rats (1 in live trap, and 9 in rat traps), 4 robins and one chicken (my own dumb animal). The rats are getting into the coop and eating the chicken food. So at night I cover the food box and turn on the night camera. A photo of last nights problem and a previous one are attached. I have many photos of them, even sequential ones of them digging a tunnel into the coop. What you see in the photo are two sticky pads (total 11" wide) with him (12" body) in front of the hole he made into the chicken coop at the corner. I have put gopher gassers in the holes twice, but unsure how successful I have been. They have dug tunnels all around and under the completely wired coop. They even have chewed through the wire. I have concreted in many of the tunnels, but they dig around them. I set 9 rat traps at night, with apple and peanut butter. Usually they ignore them for the first night or two, then they all get set off, sometimes I get lucky and get one, but usually, they are just sprung. The apple is tied on and the peanut butter is under the flapper. I am almost at my wits end on how to eliminate them. I have tried one exterminator and told him to pack it up after a month of absolutely nothing. They filled his traps with soil from their excavation. They have even filled my live trap with soil during their excavation. So I am looking for someone that is ready to meet the challenge and help me solve the problem.
Greensboro Rat Control Tip of The Week
Where Do Rats Live During The Summer?
Rodents have been able to colonize most of the earth's habitats. Different species of mice and rats are found from warm deserts to tropical mountains. Polar zones are considered the only place without rodents.
During summer, their survival instinct takes rats to shelter in place in which food is abundant and easy to get. The favorite places for rats are country houses and barns that provide them plenty of food. On the other hand, in the cities, most of the rats live in sewers where they feed on fruit, meat, and bread residues that are discarded in the garbage.
The Urban Plague
Rodents are big and repulsive. The two most known species are the gray rat or sewer rat, (Rattus Norvegicus), and the black rat or roof rat (Rattus Rattus). Although there are different species, they are both characterized by their lack of hygiene, as they live in filthy areas.
These creatures have the ability to acclimatize in urban environments because with the arrival of summer, they reproduce and start to invade people's homes to find food and shelter. Rats are among the animals that proliferate the most during summer since proper conditions for the pups' development are warm and dry conditions.
Inside Homes
Rodents will look for food and residues left on the floor. Also, places with plenty of holes and clutter. From a small crack in the wall to a space behind the fridge or the washing machine, these will be perfect places for a rodent to find refuge to save its food, live comfortably, and reproduce.
To prevent invasion problems, it is advisable to call a specialist in pest control. Proper rat extermination should be combined with actions such as tightly closing garbage cans, cleaning of the house, and other preventive measures.