Pierce County, Tacoma Rat Control Situation:
Hi. I've recently moved into a tiny cottage in the country. Spent all I have renovating it and it has a tiny crawl space attic which I have filled with insulation. I heard noises for the past two three days and on inspection I saw prices of pipe covering shredded in two or three areas. Little or no money David (I live in Tacoma WA) and can't afford outside agency. What do you suggest? Old rat traps? I think local DIY store sell them. I couldn't find entry point as the space is so tiny and I've put lots of insulation down.
Hey thanks for your web page, can you tell me what sort of fogger your use? will any fogger work with Bac-Azap?, I have a big basement area that was infected with many rats, I have removed as much of the insulation and debris as possible but it still smells so i guess i have to fog with this product. Do you use the product full strength in the fogger?
First off, great website; lots of helpful info. Secondly, I've spotted (and caught) at least one rat in my garage. I've watch them before going through holes in the wall and climbing up to the attic. If I seal up these holes in the garage, do I still need to set traps in the attic or can I just set traps in the garage to catch any that remain? Thanks for your help. Was also wondering about vacuuming out insulation when you have found animals in attic? Whats your take on that?
I really love your informative site. I have had rats in my attic for years and finally had all the entry points sealed (per your sites suggestion). Four rats were left stuck in my attic. After 48 hours they got hungry and I live trapped 3 of them within a 12 hour period. Unfortunately the fourth rat became trap shy. After 7 days (i put down water in a bowl) I gave up with the live trap and moved to snap trap. Those damn traps just wounded the poor thing and I had to listen to it suffer for 12 hours before it finally died in the wall. I just wanted to say that I dont think the live trap rats will die outside immediately. My yard has many rats living outside. We have a fountain in the back to drink from. My wife puts down bird seed every night. They have to leave my house at night to eat anyway. I have no doubt they live just fine outside with the other rats. So, I don't think live trapping is quite so bad for them.
Tacoma Rat Control Tip of The Week
Will Rats Hide From People?
The survival instinct of rats leads them to be cautious animals. The fear of being eaten by other predators makes them live in dark places and avoid being seen in broad daylight. People who come in contact with a rat may have several reactions, but the most common one is panic trying to shoo it away or kill it with whatever they have on hand. This situation causes fear in rodents who will look for hiding places and avoid being seen again.
The Mystery Of Smell
Rats use their powerful sense of smell as an effective survival technique. Through odors, a rat can perceive a predator, including species that are still unknown to the animal. Surprisingly, rats flee from cats not only because they know they may be eaten, but also because cat saliva contains chemicals that cause fear when rodents detect them.
Rats Are Pests To Humans
Farmers usually farm in warm places with relative humidity. Likewise, city dwellers tend to have a busy lifestyle, so their environment can quickly lead to clutter and disorder. Both scenarios are perfect for rodents who need the shelter and food provided by a barn, a dump, a messy house, or a sewer.
Rats are quite practical and, if necessary, can adapt to living anywhere, even in a somewhat messy house. The conditions for living comfortably and reproducing are emphasized in people's homes.
Human beings can unknowingly provide rodents with everything they need to survive, turning them into a pest. Rats, being able to take advantage of everything, from rigorously stored food to napkins thrown away, are able to grow as a population. The main consequence of a growing rodent population is the damage to people's health.
