Cook County, Oak Forest Rat Control Situation:
I saw your article about rats and you said to email with questions. We can hear rats in our walls and have seen some in other areas of the home. It is an older model mobile home that was previously rented and not taken care of well. We have tried to remodel but need to know if it is possible to solve this problem first or should we begin looking elsewhere.
Last night, I read your site and it is pretty good how to catch the mouse. I am scared to see or catch the mouse in the basement. I try to set up all sticky pad and snap trap with dry shrimps today. I hope it will be killed the mouse. Can you help me how to rid it of the basement? I don't know where the mouse came in the basement, how come? That is very grossed when the mouse runs around in the basement. Sometimes, I can't find it or it gone then later it comes back. WTF! (sighing)
I own a restaurant in south Chicago near Orland Park that is maintained, exterminated, clean etc.... As you describe it is the entry of the building that is allowing us to be infested. We are part of a building that is very old and I have had pest control, supposed rat exterminators come out and bill me and now my problem is worse than ever! I am in Orland Park and am asking before I lay out another grand if you can help guide me to selecting a company that will address my serious problem. I know the building has to be sealed so I know that is the first step. Any advice is so appreciated. I really liked your website for its information, as well.
Oak Forest 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.