Contra Costa County, Richmond Rat Control Situation:
Hello!!! I was just at your website, and thought I would throw an email your way... I went into my garage tonight, and was throwing a load of laundry into the washer, and I heard scratching coming from the wall in the far right hand corner of the garage... I went over to inspect, and couldn't see anything, but the scratching continued... I tapped on the wall with a broom, and the scratching stopped... My question to you is this- if it were to be a mouse would I be able to hear them so clearly scratching? I know they don't weigh a whole lot... We did have a problem with squirrels in the attic a couple of months ago, but we got rid of them, and blocked the entry way that they made to enter the attic... We checked outside this evening after we heard the scratching, and cannot find any entry points in the eaves, soffits, etc... So I am under the impression that its not squirrels or something large like that (praying that its not)... I hope I have made sense... I am a nervous wreck right now at just the thought that their is something in my wall =( I hope to hear back from you soon... Joni
My response: Sometimes mice can make very loud noises, if they scratch directly on the drywall. But squirrels, opossums, raccoons, and rats also get in wall frequently.
Richmond Rat Control Tip of The Week
What Are The Mating Habits Of The Black Rat And Norway Rat?
Black Rat
The ship rats have a polygamous mating framework, where a single male mates with various females. As a rule, the prevailing male is a successful breeder. These rats mate from March to November. The development or conception period goes on for 21 - 29 days, yielding 3 - 5 litters of 1 - 16 young (with a normal or average of 7) every year. Children of this species are brought into the world altricial. Their eyes open just at 15 days old, while hairs show up before the end of the nursing period. The young ones are weaned, and become independent at 3 - 4 months of age.
Norway Rat
Norway rats generally build homes in below-ground burrows or at ground level. Homes might be fixed with shredded paper, fabric, or different stringy materials. Litters of 6 to 12 young ones are brought into the world 21 to 23 days after conception. Baby rats are stripped, and their eyes are shut; however, they develop quickly. They can eat solid food at 2 1/2 to 3 weeks. They become independent at around 3 weeks to about a month and arrive at reproductive maturity at 3 months old, sometimes as early as 8 weeks. Female Norway Rats may come into heat every 4 or 5 days, and they may even mate a day after a litter is conceived. The average female rat has 4 to 6 litters per year and may effectively wean at least 20 offspring every year.