Duval County, Jacksonville Rat Control Situation:
Dear sir, I current have something in my attic that I think is a rat or mouse. My pest control company has placed bait for rodents in the attic to no avail. They have also complete an outside "plug the holes treatment. There is a section off my attic that is hard to access due to vaulted ceilings. The noise is in the area that no one can get to. It is mainly in the early morning, no so much at night. Can you recommend someone in the northeast Florida coast area, I am about 17 miles north of Saint Augustine, south of Jacksonville FL. Thank you, Jocelyn
If by "bait", you mean poison, that's not a good idea. You need to find the entry holes and seal them. I do know someone in your area.
Thank you for posting helpful info about rat removal. I was going to have my husband get rat poison. Glad to know that's the wrong way. What is the best bait to use in the wood rat traps? Will peanut butter work? I have no idea what rats will eat.
Peanut butter and seeds should work just fine, but there's a heck of a lot more to rat control than the type of bait used!
Jacksonville Rat Control Tip of The Week
Do Rats Pose A Threat To Dogs, Cats, Or Other Pets?
Toxoplasmosis:
There is a parasite that mice and rats can become infected with that causes health conditions in dogs and cats. Toxoplasmosis can cause diarrhea and severe flu in many dogs and it can also change digestive tract functions in cats. This will often be presented as an early infection that leads to a severe flu that can make it difficult for your pet to enjoy a good quality of life. This sickness can also be spread to humans just as easily as it could be spread along to animals.
Roundworms:
Rats often carry roundworms that can be passed on to other animals in your home. There's a variety of medications that can be delivered to treat infections like roundworms. This can also be passed along to humans and if you're experiencing ongoing headaches, digestive issues, fever, or rashes it could be possible that you have been infected.
They Multiply Quickly:
The threat that rats can pose multiplies quickly because they can have an average of 84 babies throughout the course of the year. Working to manage a rat problem can be crucial in the earliest stages before it becomes worse. Without ongoing management of your rat problem, you may end up in a situation where it becomes more difficult to handle the population you are faced with.
Anxiety:
Rats may also cause anxiety in many of your pets. Hearing the ongoing noises in the walls, knowing that they're rather close by and even feeling threatened by rats can be problematic especially for the family pet. Rather than having the ongoing stress that rats can pose for your dog or cat, it may be wise to consider the option of getting a professional exterminator to manage the rat population in your home.