Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Rat Control Situation:
Hello David, Thanks for a comprehensive excellent web site. My cat passed away a while ago and the rats moved in ! Never had a Rodent problem in the 18 years previously. Always had cats though. I am from Western Pittsburgh and my house is a 1950's open eves with that blow in insulation that's about 25years old. I have done my best to wire up all holes but a few still exist . Aside from boarding up the whole eve all way round which then restricts airflow in our hot summer. I have laid 15 traps to start with, a few small and a few large. Baited with peanut butter and pressed the peanut butter onto the tab so it's not just resting on there. I got 1. Now whatever is up there is licking of the peanut butter of the large and small traps ! Damm varments. I have set all traps rights to the edge off the lever. On firm surfaces like the rafters. Maybe it's the quality of the trap ? I may have to order some of your victor traps from the U.S. So my recent rebaiting happened yesterday and I checked today, yep a couple with half the peanut butter licked off. It's the fancy organic smooth peanut butter too. Appreciate any suggestion's David, apart from getting another Cat.
David,Can you provide me with a telephone number of someone who actually can properly seal a home and clean an attic for rats in Pittsburgh PA? No one so far has sealed my home. They charge me to seal it but then the rats still come in. Thanks. I need your advise hoe to get rid of the small rat in my flat. ..just saw few days ago. everyone at home are afraid of it. We are must get rid of it...pls advice..
I'm writing to get some insight on how to get rid of mice in my wall. They may be coming in through the weeping holes outside of my house. We have put fiber glass wire in the holes after we though they were gone, but I still smell their poop after they have finished.
Pittsburgh Rat Control Tip of The Week
Can Rats Kill Mice?
Before providing an answer to this question, first of all, you need to be able to differentiate between a rat and mouse. As you must already know, they are both rodents and are quite identical. Without precisely knowing the differences between these two rodents, it will be quite difficult to know how they relate with each other and if rats do kill mice or it's just another myth.
To help you understand this in the best possible way, we will be taking a look at some of the qualities possessed by both rodents. After which we will address the main topic which is whether rats are capable of killing mice or not.
Rats
Rats are medium sized rodents with sizes bigger than that of mice. They have long tails and are very active compared to mice. The most common household rat is the black rat and this particular specie of rat is bigger than mice and also very active.
Mice
On the other hand, mice are smaller rodents with a pointed snout and small round eyes. These rodents have uniform traits; hence they often tend to look very identical. They are very docile when compared to their rat counterparts.
Having shared all these, by now you should categorically be able to differentiate between rats and mice. Coming back to the question above, the fact is rats are capable of killing mice. This habit is only exhibited when rats are faced with starvation and the only option left is to kill and feed on them.
Also, a change in environmental conditions can trigger their hunting senses and make them kill mice. Apart from any of these conditions, rats killing mice doesn't usually occur. You might have rats and mice in your home at the same time causing a nuisance.