Kings County, New York City Rat Control Situation:
Hi, I found your site very informative and helpful. I live in a ground floor duplex in New York City and we have had a rat problem in between our two floors since last August. The management company has sent an exterminator out several times-- to remove carcasses from the ceiling, place rodenticide in the ceiling, and fill any holes outside the apartment building. The problem is still going on almost a year later and we can't seem to figure out how they are getting in.
There is definitely less scratching and scurrying now compared to a few months ago, but the smell is consistently unbearable as something dies in the ceiling every few weeks to the point that I am ready to just move out. I have asked the management company to take a more proactive approach to the problem rather than reactive when I call and complain, perhaps gut the ceiling to expose the problem area, but they don't seem willing to do it. I can imagine there are a lot of droppings and urine in addition to at least 3-4 dead carcasses. Would the smell disappate if no more rats could get in (i.e. if we found and closed the access points), or is that something that will just continue to fester?
I am trying to make a case to the management that it is necessary for them to clean all the droppings and carcasses to restore the apartment to a sanitary environment. I noticed on your site you mentioned that rats can smell the droppings and urine of other rats, indicating the area is a safe habitat. I also think opening the ceiling might expose the access points. Apparently my unit is the only one of 47 in the building with a reported rat problem. Do you have any suggestions? Best regards, Alexandra
My response: Sounds like a very tough case. The entry holes into the building, or at least, the apartment, must be found and sealed! Check behind the oven, for example. The odor will disappear as soon as all rats are gone and any biomass dries up.
Thanks for the response! I got them to remove the entire ceiling and they said they removed some carcasses and closed a bunch of holes inside. I was on a business trip the past week and will see the result tonight. Fingers crossed the problem is resolved!
New York City Rat Control Tip of The Week
What Sounds Do Rats Make?
We all know that particular rat sound that irritates us so much. This may be the best sign that there is something strange going on at home. You must act immediately or these rodents could take over more and more territory in your home and even start multiplying, which would increase the chances of hearing these annoying sounds all over the house.
When it comes to rats, there are different types of sounds you might hear. These sounds are their only form of communication.
Are Rats' Sounds Different For Every Situation?
Rats' senses of hearing and smell are better developed. This allows them to perceive objects around them more easily, and decipher whether they pose a threat or not. Some of the sounds rats emit are:- The recognizable squeak: rats have a way of communicating that can be irritating to the human ear. This is a really high-pitched sound used to communicate with each other. These sounds are emitted during sexual reproduction and in threatening situations. These squeaks can be short, long, or intermittent, depending on the situation they are experiencing and their acuity will also depend on the level of threat.
- Another noise these rodents make is the grinding of their teeth. Rats only do this when they feel happy, as their tail moves and jumps.
- Finally, we can't forget a loud sound that might sound like teeth grinding; a chattering sound they make when they're angry, usually when they feel threatened and are about to attack.
Animals have a unique way of responding to different situations, whether it is joy, anger, fear, or pain. Rats are not an exception; they can make sounds for any type of situation. It is important to consider what sounds a rat makes when it is upset or threatened, this could avoid any type of accident, like a bite.
