King County, Seattle Rat Control Situation:
I have been living in my apartment for a year now, and while it is a consistent day to day problem, rats running around the attic and climbing through the walls has been a problem throughout this year. I have asked my landlord for help, and unfortunately received nothing. So my question to you is, how can I, an average college student, find affordble resources to keep the raccoons out of my home? Thanks, Chris
IMaybe call the department of health citing the risks of rat disease or inform your landlord that the rats are likely to severely damage his property and maybe he'll get off his cheap ass and do something about it.
Thank you for the tips, I've already talked to my landlord about the possible (at and this point likely) damage, but I will definitely look into the department of health. Huge Thanks Chris
have been dealing with a rodent in my attic, wall, floor, ceiling for two years. I've paid over $600.00 to eliminate em pest control and they can't find out how the rodent is getting in. I'm at the point of giving up my house because I don't know what it is. It move periodically in the day time and a couple of other times thought out the day. Help I'm desperate. have one rat in attic that enters through vent,and sits on shelf area behind vent.have heard it in this area,and have sprayed what i had on hand some wasp killing spray which reaches the are from the ground. set a trap at base of house where this varmit climbs up to get to the vent. for the last few days i have not heard the rat or seen it? could it be that it left,or is it quiet because of babies.this is not the time of the year for babies which is around july or aug and in the winter right?
Hi David: I think you have a great site and have found it very helpful. I have rats coming into my house and had someone come out to look at it today and they pointed out several areas where rats are coming into the house. There is access through the AC vent, a few weepholes and possibly the mushroom vent on top of the house. They quoted $1,200 -1,400 to do that work to seal off the house and do the trapping. Does that sound reasonable? Do you have any companies in Seattle that you recommend. I have no doubt that the exclusion work sealing off the house is the way to go for a permanent solution, but that price sounds a bit high to me.
Seattle Rat Control Tip of The Week
What Are Possible Diseases Rats Can Carry?
Apart from causing severe damage to the structure of houses, rats are major carriers of life-threatening diseases. This simply shows how important it is for you to remove them from your home and make sure they don't find their way back.
Disease transmission from rats to humans can occur through several routes. These include;- Human exposure to wastes of rats such as feces, saliva, nesting materials, and urine while handling or removing them from homes.
- Bites from rats that are infected.
- Unsafe handling of rats (touching of rats without wearing gloves) and eating food that is contaminated with rat feces, urine, or saliva.
Diseases can be transmitted from rats through any of the above means. This clearly shows that if you have rats running around your home, you are at a high risk of getting infected. The following are some of the possible diseases rats can carry.
1. Hantavirus
This particular disease is one of the most life-threatening diseases that rats carry. Currently, Hantavirus is yet to have a known cure, vaccine, or treatment. Some of the symptoms of this particular disease include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea.
2. Salmonella
This particular disease is a bacterial infection carried in the digestive tracts of rats. When they pass feces, it usually contains a large proportion of this bacteria. If by mistake you consume any food substances that are contaminated with this bacteria, you might contract Salmonella. Some of the symptoms of this disease include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills, nausea, and abdominal cramps.
3. Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus
This disease is another life-threatening disease that rats transmit to humans when there is contact. LCMV is capable of causing encephalitis and meningitis if not quickly managed at its early phase.
4. Rat-bite Fever
Unlike other types of diseases, rat-bite fever is only transmitted when a rat bites you. The bacteria of this disease is found in the saliva of rats. The symptoms of this infection include high fever, muscle pain, headaches, and skin rash.
