Bergen County, Hackensack Rat Control Situation:
Hi David, I came across your site today. I am so glad I found you. I have a mouse problem...Well more like an invasion. There are so many of them...Constantly... Everything you said about mice and pest control companies is TRUE.. The pest control companies are not saying any of the things you are saying... In fact, when contacted they are laughing at the idea you mentioned of sealing entry ways.....I am at my wits end as it seems no one does what you mentioned on your site (sealing the areas etc). They want to stuff areas with brillo pads and put down the poison pellets. I have figured out some of the entry ways, that the mice are using to get into the house. The radiators are one way.. However I am sure there are several more. I want these mice gone for good.. Just can't live with them anymore! There are spaces near the radiator pipe and they squeeze through them. I am in Bergen County New Jersey, and I looked at your list of companies in my state. Do these companies do mice? Or do they just do wildlife like squirrels, bats etc? I was not sure when I read their descriptions if they did house mice. I also have an infestation of water bugs (yuck!) so I need someone for both. Do you think those companies you listed can help me? Which one do you think would be best for me to call? I wish you worked in New York. I really do...The pest control companies here just do not mention the things you mention, on your site...Talk to you soon. Regards, Anjene
Hi David, Live in Hackensack Nj and I have dealt with mice problems I'm my attic three times in previous years I have done it professionally which all he did was put down poised and told me to find the holes outside. This cost big bucks. Came back following year. Same thing. I've chalked and check foundation and im tired of spending hundreds of dollars. Any suggestions? Any pros who get rid of the problem and also check the foundation? Help. This freaks me out.
Hackensack Rat Control Tip of The Week
New York City's Rat Problem
The Norway Rat:
The majority of rats in New York City are Norway rats, otherwise known as brown rats. Brown rats typically weigh 1 pound and they can grow up to 16 inches long. A brown rat needs just 1 ounce of food and water every day to survive.
Agile Creatures:
Brown rats are known for their ability to climb through pipes and get through small spaces. Even though some of the largest brown rats can be up to 20 inches long and weigh more than 2 pounds, it's easy for them to fit through a hole that's the size of a quarter. Rats have some serious superpowers and are capable of falling up to five stories without any injury and leaping up to 4 feet for climbing.
Going Through Any Material:
Rats also have extremely strong jaw muscles and quality teeth. There are rats in New York that are capable of chewing through cinderblocks and sewer pipes.
Where Rats Live:
Most rats will rarely travel more than 600 feet away from the area that they were born. Most rats like to nest and burrow in soft ground as well as below ground to live in colonies. A rat colony is usually between 30 to 50 rats and the number of rats in a burrow or family is usually between 8 to 12. Rats stay close to their food source and they can often be found just a few hundred feet from where they go every day to be fed. Public garbage areas, alleyways, and more can be a hotbed for rats and NYC produces its own information portal on areas where rats are heavily concentrated.
Massive Population:
It's estimated that there are roughly 2,000,000 rats in New York City and this means that the rat population in New York City sits around 25% of the total number of humans.