Norfolk County, Norfolk Rat Control Situation:
Will removing the food source remove the mice? I found a black mouse today...man, those things are fast. And every animal I've ever seen is stupid; this one tried to run by and ran face-first into a box, immediately letting out a startled squeak as it crashed. Idiot. They all go full-potato around me. Anyway, turns out I had a 20lb bag of bird seed which is now a 2lb bag of bird seed. I've now put that and the grass seed outside. As there's a mouse here now, I'm going to re-check my food storage to ensure it's all inaccessible. Will removing the food remove the mice? Nothing to eat here. If they can't find food, will they go away?
Dear David, I have to say that I have found your site very informative. We have had mice this past very cold winter and caught 3-4 of them with snap traps. The last one was probably March or April. This week I noticed a sewer smell in the stairwell of the basement; I caught all the mice in the basement. I am having a hard time determining which wall right or left it is coming from. It is about 5 steps down the 12 steps. That area would probably be height of the first floor. Do you suggest I try cutting a hole in the wall. My husband suggested using a drill hole to determine which wall, easier to patch. I am not sure if I should call someone or just start to cut the wall myself. Any advice would be welcome. Thank you!
Hi I have them now because I am remodeling I am in the process of sealing all open areas but I still feel they will be under my trailer, can you give tips in helping controlling them I am willing to do what it takes to get rid of them. Please advise what is a nuisance controller and how do I find one for a reasonable price.
The rats are in the floor (First floor ceiling) and 2nd story joist space and in the attic that has no access and are waking me up. I'm afraid they are going to short a wire a burn the house down. What about electric traps . And if they're OK where do you put them. Thanks Doug in Tacoma WA PS I'm building then out and placing snap traps too. Peanut butter on cotton balls. I feed the birds and the neighbors have chickens and don't pick up their rotting fruit. So eliminating food would be impossible. I would quit feeding the birds if thought it would help.
Norfolk Rat Control Tip of The Week
What Are Possible Diseases Rats Can Carry?
Apart from causing severe damage to the structure of houses, rats are major carriers of life-threatening diseases. This simply shows how important it is for you to remove them from your home and make sure they don't find their way back.
Disease transmission from rats to humans can occur through several routes. These include;- Human exposure to wastes of rats such as feces, saliva, nesting materials, and urine while handling or removing them from homes.
- Bites from rats that are infected.
- Unsafe handling of rats (touching of rats without wearing gloves) and eating food that is contaminated with rat feces, urine, or saliva.
Diseases can be transmitted from rats through any of the above means. This clearly shows that if you have rats running around your home, you are at a high risk of getting infected. The following are some of the possible diseases rats can carry.
1. Hantavirus
This particular disease is one of the most life-threatening diseases that rats carry. Currently, Hantavirus is yet to have a known cure, vaccine, or treatment. Some of the symptoms of this particular disease include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea.
2. Salmonella
This particular disease is a bacterial infection carried in the digestive tracts of rats. When they pass feces, it usually contains a large proportion of this bacteria. If by mistake you consume any food substances that are contaminated with this bacteria, you might contract Salmonella. Some of the symptoms of this disease include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills, nausea, and abdominal cramps.
3. Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus
This disease is another life-threatening disease that rats transmit to humans when there is contact. LCMV is capable of causing encephalitis and meningitis if not quickly managed at its early phase.
4. Rat-bite Fever
Unlike other types of diseases, rat-bite fever is only transmitted when a rat bites you. The bacteria of this disease is found in the saliva of rats. The symptoms of this infection include high fever, muscle pain, headaches, and skin rash.