Davidson County, Nashville Rat Control Situation:
David, Thank you for your site. Lots of great info there and very thorough. I had rats in my attic. Before I saw your site I called Orkin and they did a decent job with trapping and exclusion. It's hot in Nashville now so we have not had problems recently. Now it's time for cleanup. Wildlife Conrol quoted $4500. We can not and will not be paying that. A friend that does termite work mostly quoted $250. He proposes using his shop-vac to vaccum the droppings. I have ordered the Bac-azap for disinfecting, based on your recommendation and other reviews read online and he will also spray down the attic. Couple questions: I'm concerned about the use of the Shop-vac for the exhaust that will be broadcast while it's on. He says he will look for a Hepa filter, but in your opinion is this acceptable? Many Wildlife Control techs were in the attic many times over a month, without respirators, and to my knowledge no disease contracted (visibly). Is that enough to rule out potential hazards in using a Shop-vac? I'm told the level of droppings is "not that bad" and isolated to a couple areas. That may or may not help you. Second question is if spraying the enzyme will be sufficient, or if a fogger is required? I do have small children which is the concern, but I'm trying to remain reasonable and believe the drastic and expensive techniques proposed by some may be overkill (scare tactics?). Thanks again for your informative site, and thank you in advance for any advice.
I had a pet rat that went missing in early June of this year and just today we discovered it got stuck between my wall and dresser. It looks like a pancake. At first, I thought it was mold but then saw it's eyes and skeleton. I have no idea what to do and the thought of removing it myself is horrifying. How do I remove a rat the has decomposed this far and that is pretty much stuck to my wall and dresser?
Sunday morning woke up to find the rubber threshold to the front door was eaten away. Droppings about ¼ - 3/8" were found throughout the house. Looked like more than one with about 20 droppings. Spent Sunday replacing the threshold, put two TomCat baited traps by the front door and two TomCat baited traps in the house (by front door and next to refrigerator. Also, two mouse traps with peanut butter bait (the kind the mouse goes in and the door shuts behind it). Went to go to work today (Monday), new threshold eaten away, and only about 6 - 7 droppings in the house. All traps not touched. I have read sticky paper is a good way to catch rodents. Based off what I have stated above, is this a rat looking for a new food source to go back and tell his friends?
Hi David. Are you based in the Portland Metro area, or is that Wildlife Control? I have a listing that shows old rat black box traps and has about 12 bags of insulation that's been wrapped up for years. Buyer just had a home inspection and is asking for any and all rats found in the premises and in the crawl space to be removed, the bags removed, all the other contaminated insulation removed, vacuumed, fogged...and then new insulation laid. Would that be a job you can bid on, maybe Monday?
Nashville Rat Control Tip of The Week
How Can I Receive Free Rat Removal?
Rat proliferation has become a real headache. Over time, they multiply and can affect our lives in very negative ways. They are a vehicle for germs and bacteria, as well as various diseases that could be fatal.
An Unwanted Visitor Who Has Come To Stay
Even if you have the most rigorous cleaning and hygiene methods at home, in warehouses or food sales sites (supermarkets or restaurants), the slightest hole exposes us completely to this unwanted visitor. Rats are flexible, agile, and by nature prowling, so if they get the chance, they will come in and soon invite their whole family to stay in your home.
Ways To Get Rid Of Them
Rats are very fertile animals; in a matter of 21 to 24 days, a rat can have 5 to 15 pups, which will reach sexual maturity after 4 or 5 weeks. Can you imagine the speed of their reproduction?
You can follow these tips:- Keep all areas clean and totally free of crumbs.
- Keep garbage tightly closed at night.
- Make sure there are no cracks, holes, or any other entrances that will allow them to enter.
- Keep any water outlets closed with their grids.
- Do not leave dry food within reach of these animals.
But... What Happens If The Situation Exceeds My Abilities To Exterminate This Pest?
It is always best to go to the experts in rat extermination, but each town has a public health and sanitation system, which is responsible for keeping pests under control.
You can ask for an inspection, and they will determine if it is a public health problem. Prevention and hygiene will always be the best methods to avoid contact with these animals that cause so many diseases.
