Orange County, Orlando Rat Control Situation:
hi david, i came across your site... guess why? There's a rat between my unit (main level condo) and the upper unit. it runs up and down the chimney, across my ceiling in a soffit in a space about 4' wide x 12' long x 2' high. my handyman set 2 rat traps yesterday via removal of a can light ( also took photos of the feces to verify not squirrel). they both went off withing 20 minutes of setting but the creep didn't get caught even though there was a huge scuttle that sounded like the tasmanian devil. to find out, the handyman set the traps on top the 2x4. argh. it was quiet all night and just as soon as we thought it was scared away, the noise started up this morning. local exterminators want to drop pellets after an 'exterior inspection' for $300 - $400. (the squirrel catcher assessed the roof and grounds yesterday and yes there are a few places and probably more.) people who have poisoned rats that haven't been able to get outside say not to use poison because the animal stench is hideous and lasts up to 6 weeks. at the moment, the varmit is banging around up there, i guess walking around the traps. any suggestions? it's driving us crazy, esp when it gets aggitated or perhaps fending off a competitor - it literally sounds like a bar room brawl. thanks - gaylene
AAARGHH!!! Never use poison! It only makes the problem worse! You need to seal the entry holes and trap and remove the rats.
so i've seen what i think is a mouse in my son's room. It was a little bigger than the palm of my hand and grey. i live in a three story apartment complex in Winter Park and hear them in my walls at night. I had made a couple of holes at the bottom of each of my two bedrooms and the living room for my cable wire. I wanted to know how to get rid of them, which traps work best, how long does it take to get rid of them and how do i know if i got them all? any help would be greatly appriciated. thanks.
It's more likely a juvenile rat than a mouse in central FL. You need to have either the building sealed shut, or the inside areas leading into your apartment. Give me a call, and I can come inspect the apartment for free.
Orlando Rat Control Tip of The Week
Why Won't The City Or County Animal Services Help Me With A Rat Infestation?
If you discover rats frequently in and around your home or see a lot of rat droppings, you may have a rat infestation. This clearly is awful news and for various reasons. Not only can rats bite on wires, wood, and even though dividers, causing immense damage to your home or business, but they also carry diseases. Despite general thinking, rats are not clean - they are perfect when kept as pets, however out in the wild, they can and will spread illnesses. What are your options with regards to a detected rat issue? Would it be advisable for you to contact the nearby animal control, deal with it yourself, or recruit an expert wildlife control service?
Will the city or county animal services help? The short answer is no. They are only liable for public spots. If your concern is with the surrounding area around your home, similar to a recreation center or abandoned public spaces that have become swarmed by rats, you may have a shot at getting them to help you out. However, if we're discussing your own property, which is private property that belongs to you, the local authorities have no business interfering. What's more, if they will, it is to advise you to deal with the infestation as it can spread, and depending on where you live, there may be local laws that can target you and force you to do something about it.