Montgomery County, Philadelphia Rat Control Situation:
Hi, I have read your website and am hopeful you can provide me with some direction. I seem to have rats around my house. I see their holes along the side of house (under the front windows, not far from my porch). I don't see any evidence of them being under the porch, only holes along the sidewalk and under the window. Problem is I don't have any food for them. A year ago I paid to have someone come out. He put down poison. Now they are back. I have tried on my own to kill them with poison and gas flares, but I still see small holes. Is there anything I can do before they get into my house? This is a brand new house. I lay awake at night afraid they are going to get in. I am scared to death, literally. Is there something I put down? plant ? something? Please please advise. Warm regards, Lisa - Gone crazy. Be back soon.
That sounds more like vole (field mouse) activity. Rats don't really dig holes.
Thank you for responding. Do you have a website so I can determine how I located you. I think you might be right. I have done some preliminary research on the internet and I do have soft squishy spots in my lawn. One the rain has gone I will go and check if these are holes. Also, I lost most of my tulips I planted.
Contact A Wildlife Pro for excellent wild animal control, wildlife trappers, and rodent removal in Philadelphia.
Hi David, I live out in Bryn Mawr, PA and I need a trustworthy service to come to my home and help me with a living creature, I think it's a rat, in my attic. I have been speaking with many services and they all sound like they all want tons of MONEY to deal with this. I am very skeptical and need honest advice. Can you refer me to the right source, and someone who is not a THIEF and simply wants to charge a reasonable professional for fee for servicing my home. Thanks, Fern
Philadelphia Rat Control Tip of The Week
Rats And Black Pepper
Rats eat almost anything. In their search for food, they can gnaw on plastic, wood, and even electrical wiring. A rat presence in your home can cause a lot of economic damage.
When this expense is added to the health problems rats' body fluids can cause, the best thing a person can do is getting them out of the house as soon as possible. The most common extermination way is using traps or rodenticides. However, there are more natural methods such as the use of peppers that cause unpleasant odors and tastes for the rodent and quickly drive them away.
Odors That Repel
Using repellents with unpleasant odors for rats is a way to keep them away from you in a friendly way. The advantage of not having to deal with the rodent's carcass can be worth the effort of constantly using these temporary methods. Rodents use their sense of smell to socialize as well as to survive. An odor such as ammonia often drives them away because it is very similar to the urine of large animals that could devour them. Spicy odors are perceived as dangerous chemicals that are also often avoided at all costs.
Black Pepper
Spicy food odors are unbearable for rats, thanks to their high capsaicin content. These natural compounds give the food its spicy effect, but they are also often very irritating to the mucous membranes and lungs of rodents. If ingested, they can cause a burning sensation in the taste buds and olfactory glands. Pepper is known to be able to scare away rats temporarily although this is not scientifically proven.
For all those people who are afraid of having to deal with poisons or homemade traps, finding new and less harmful options is a headache; however, homemade repellents like black pepper avoid harming other animals and humans, being a perfect choice. In any case, even if they are harmless odors, it is advisable to seek the advice and follow the instructions of a professional in the field.
