Alameda County, Oakland Rat Control Situation:
I read your website on safe removal of rats and sealing up the entry. Could you answer some more questions on this topic? Several weeks ago, I discovered that I had a rat problem in the backyard. I thought the fancy tricks would work. They did not. Still have the rats. They are eating the dogs food and drinking their water. Thankfully, the dogs are vaccinated. I called the exterminator who had to put out poison in a secure area. Its been a few days over a week and I do not see or hear rats outside. Thought we were good! But, now I hear scratching, or chewing in the kitchen wall. Yes. IN the wall. I am freaked out! I did buy a cat (which I am allergic too, but in desperate times we take desperate measures.) I thought she could take care of anything that might happen ( I know these damn rats can eat through anything!) They ate through the dogs plastic bucket where their food was held. I have two small children. I am concerned for their safety. Who do I call to look for entries into the house? How will they seal the entries? I think it is under the siding. Years ago, I had the bottom siding replaced. I think they did not do a good job, so things are getting in..under and up. How will an exterminator get these rats out of the wall??? I am scared...for my kids...for me...for my house getting ruined. I just got laid off (at the end of the school year because of budget cuts ... I am a special education teacher). Can you offer advise on this. I am not sure what to do. Thanks.
My response: Rats in the wall isn't a big deal. They won't get you sick or anything. But as I've said on my website, you have to inspect the house and find out how the rodents are getting inside. Seal up every single last entry/exit hole and gap with steel. Trap, properly trap on rat runways, ALL the rats, and remove them from the house. If they are STUCK down a wall, you will have to cut a hole in the wall to remove them. But it's rare that they get stuck. As far as finding those entry holes, it's not always easy. Where do you live?
Wow! Rats in the wall not a big deal is NOT what I thought you would say. Sort of happy about that, really. I live in Oakland CA. I did look on your website for wildlife removers and did find a company you listed that handles these matters. I called them first thing this morning and left a message requesting their suppport. My questions are: 1. How will they get them out of the WALL???? I can hear them chewing and scratching. It is right next to two outlets (on either side of the wall). I worry that they will eat the electrical wire and cause a fire. I also worry that they will eat through the dry wall and come into the house (hence the cat...she knows her job). 2. Who do I call to fix the entry way problem that is allowing these pests to get in? 3. Am I in for a huge mess...and expense? 4. Is there a way to make the rats gone forever? I can deal with snakes, spiders, scorpions and mice, but rats are a whole different issue. Thanks for your reply. I sure do appreciate the support. In service, Judy
My response: I don't know what else to say. It's not a hard job. Very standard. Your wildlife company has to find out how they are getting in, and seal those ares shut with steel. Unless the rats are stuck in the wall, it's a normal job. If they are stuck, your wildlife company cuts a hole and fixes it afterward. The rats are gone forever once the entry holes are all sealed.
Oakland Rat Control Tip of The Week
Tips To Get Rid Of Rats In The Attic
It's normal for you to have that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you keep hearing that scurrying sound coming from your attic because of the indecent activities of rats. To put an end to this weird feeling, you need to get rid of the rats living in your attic.
Have you been wanting to do this but you don't know how to go about it? Right here, we will be sharing some tips on how to get rid of rats in the attic. With the following tips, you will be able to do as you please and keep your attic free from rats.
When it comes to getting rid of rats in your attic, the first thing you need to do is to inspect your house in order for you to know exactly how the rats got into your attic. Being a very flexible animal with an ability to sneak around and pass through openings as small as a quarter of an inch, rats can enter into your attic through different openings. What this implies is that you need to inspect your attic properly to know how they got in.
The second step you need to take is to inspect your attic to know the extent to which the rats have damaged your attic. Rats in the attic are capable of chewing your wires and tearing the insulation in the roofing for their nests.
After inspecting the attic, the next thing you need to do is seal up all the entry holes that you were able to find while inspecting the attic. This should be done with durable materials that rats can't chew. Materials like this include steel screens and metal.
Lastly, you need to trap or kill the rats using either a snap trap or a one-way exclusion funnel. Do not use rat poisons to get rid of the rats in your attic. It will only create more environmental problems instead of reducing them.
