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
Are Cats Good at Keeping Rats Away?
When it comes to removing rats from homes, the use of cats in hunting these rodents is one of the best natural ways of getting that done. Cats and rats are natural enemies; hence cats are good at keeping rats away. The only issue with keeping cats to remove rats from your home is that there is a high probability of it being prone to catching other non-target animals like frogs, birds, and lizards. Also, there are no guarantees that the cat you bring into your home to keep rats away will help catch the rat within a specific time.
Apart from the hunting skills that cats use to remove rats, the scent of a cat will also make rats stay away from your home. Rats have a well-developed sense of smell and can easily pick up slight scents. With this, they can sense the presence of a cat in a particular area and stay as far as possible away from it. This survival instinct of rats will send them packing.
But for this to work the way you want it to, you need to find a cat that displays typical hunting behavior. Naturally, cats do have hunting instincts and the urge to catch rats. But this only gets triggered when the right environment is in place or the cats are encouraged to do so.
If you want a cat with a good hunting instinct, the first thing you need to do is to make inquiries as to whether the mother of the kitten was a good hunter or not. Cats learn the required hunting skills from their mother. If you want the cat you will be introducing into your home to be a good hunter, it will need to learn these hunting skills from its mother.
Are cats good at keeping rats away?
When it comes to removing rats from homes, the use of cats in hunting these rodents is one of the best natural ways of getting that done. Cats and rats are natural enemies; hence cats are good at keeping rats away. The only issue with keeping cats to remove rats from your home is that there is a high probability of it being prone to catching other non-target animals like frogs, birds, and lizards. Also, there are no guarantees that the cat you bring into your home to keep rats away will help catch the rat within a specific time.
Apart from the hunting skills that cats use to remove rats, the scent of a cat will also make rats stay away from your home. Rats have a well-developed sense of smell and can easily pick up slight scents. With this, they can sense the presence of a cat in a particular area and stay as far as possible away from it. This survival instinct of rats will send them packing.
But for this to work the way you want it to, you need to find a cat that displays typical hunting behavior. Naturally, cats do have hunting instincts and the urge to catch rats. But this only gets triggered when the right environment is in place or the cats are encouraged to do so.
If you want a cat with a good hunting instinct, the first thing you need to do is to make inquiries as to whether the mother of the kitten was a good hunter or not. Cats learn the required hunting skills from their mother. If you want the cat you will be introducing into your home to be a good hunter, it will need to learn these hunting skills from its mother.
