Santa Clara County, San Jose Rat Control Situation:
First off, love the website. thanks for the resource. Ive had rats for 6 months and have been trapping to get rid of them. After the first 3 months of trapping and 12 rats, i found an open sewer vent in a hidden part of my attic. i fixed that, but im still catching a rat every 2 weeks in snap traps. I sucked all the blown cellulose out of the hip-roof section of my house when i thought they were initially gone, and unfortunately they must now living in the flat roof portion that i cant access (recently added on). The outside of house is tight as a drum. Three rat pros have looked it over and dont see openings. so my question is....can rats be smart enough to live there for the past 3 months and avoid the traps????????? Maybe the rats saved up a lot of food when previous homeowner stored birdseed in attic? maybe they dont come into the hip roof often enough to die on the traps? Either that, or i must have another plumbing issue that i havnt found yet and they are still getting in. id rather think that i just need to be patient, but id like to get your opinion. Going insane, Mark
Hey Dave, Been reading your website and I think your main point is - there's no easy shortcut to mice removal - simple technique and put the effort in. I did purchase an electrical device that plugs into an outlet and emits a pulse through existing electrical wiring - I know, probably a gimmick, but I've heard a lot less scratching in my attic since (shrug). The field mice are still in the attic though - I see the dropping everywhere and I hear some scratching at night - I even see the suckers sometimes when I crack open the attic door. I will try some of your DIY techniques - but I was wondering if you can recommend a pro in the central NJ area? I'm in Los Gatos CA. Thanks! John
hi david, i read your article online and agree with you about exterminators. however what can i do about the mice in my attic. i went to turn on the central ac in my home and mice poop came out of the ceiling registers. i have heard some movement during the middle of the night up in my attic and within my walls. i have trapped some mice in the garage at times and than all is well i thought. my home is a manufactured high ranch. i live in mahopac ny. i also have a cat so i figured that would keep the mice population down because we never see any signs in the living areas or cabinets. what do you recommend i do moving forward. thank you for your help in this matter. if you like i can be reach on my cell phone. ken w
San Jose Rat Control Tip of The Week
Why Does Homeowners Insurance Not Usually Pay For Damage Caused By Rats?
Unlike harm caused by other pests (for example termites), home damage caused by rats and mice are commonly not covered under the arrangements of a standard homeowner's insurance policy. This is because it is a preventable misfortune that could have been avoided, using appropriate pest maintenance.
That being the situation, it's ideal to stop the issue from really developing once you recognize any indications of rodent infestations:- A single rat sighting (generally implies there are more)
- Rat droppings
- Hearing scurrying through the dividers
- Chewed through food boxes
- Chewed up wires
- Rodent homes
- Dirty or oily rat tracks on the floor or dividers
Harm to your home or different structures from insects, rodents (for instance, rats, mice, squirrels, and chipmunks) or flying creatures, is normally not covered by a standard homeowner's policy (albeit a window broken by a fledgling might be an exception). Animal invasions and harm from animal waste or secretions are generally excluded from a homeowner's policy. Should an opossum (or some other animal) enter your home, homeowner's insurance policies won't pay for expulsion, cleanup, or fixes to any harm it causes or leaves behind.
Remember that the homeowner's insurance policy does not provide coverage for harm done to your property, brought about by pets or other domestic animals, such as a pig, cow, or chicken. If your dog bites his way through a door, your insurance agency, no doubt, won't cover the cost of replacement.
Not only is a rodent infestation an indisputable hazard to your health - the spread of disease, aggravation of allergy symptoms, etc. - but mice or rats can chew up your electrical wiring and cause house fires. While a home fire may, by chance, be one thing you are covered for as regards to a rodent invasion, you will need to get to the root of the issue before such a dangerous event occurs!
