New Castle County County, Wilmington Rat Control Situation:
Hi David, I rent an apartment in Wilmington DE and have consistent mouse problems. It started with a mouse in the beginning of the year- I set all types of traps (snapping, glue, poison) and it would only eat the peanut butter and not get caught. Finally it was caught, but again I have a mouse and all the different traps that are out are only feeding it. I know the only real way to stop them is to close off all points of access, but living in an old apartment building and having landlords who've stopped caring about all the mice problems makes it harder. My neighbors also have mice problems and I think they're traveling between apartments. I obviously cant secure every hole, but I can at least try with my place. Would stuffing the holes with mesh wire then covering it with caulking work? I'm not sure how to finish off the holes. Also if you have any insight on how to deal with these renter vs. landlord situations, I'm all ears. Thanks for listening, Dianna
Hello, Attached are 2 photos of what I think are from a wood rat. My family owns a large cabin in the middle of 260 wooded acres. The ground around the cabin has been cleared for years. In the past we only had mice to control, but now we have critters that we cannot control. We place rat/mice poison in 3 areas. They eat it all within 2 weeks. There is lots of poop right around the poison trays. Now the critter is eating part of the sofa and has knocked a lamp over. We have had flying squirrels and wood rats in the past. But they ate the poison and died. Not the case now. What do you suggest? We put moth balls under the cabin and the attic appears not to be an issue. We cannot find where they are coming in. VERY frustrating. Can you help?? Thank you. I have to forward the pictures from my computer.
Wilmington Rat Control Tip of The Week
What Materials Can Rats Chew Through?
A rat problem in the home can be a genuine headache for individuals to manage. Rats can pollute food supplies when they get into kitchens, and they can spread sicknesses to people through bites if they feel threatened. They can destroy furniture and chew through most materials in the house. Rats can bite through nearly anything, and they reproduce quickly within short time frames. This implies one pregnant rat can easily lead to numerous rats. This isn't acceptable because all of the potential health hazards associated with rats, and the harm they can cause to property and belongings can cost you a lot of time and cash.
One of the most striking facts about a rat's teeth is the way their incisors grow constantly! Imagine having a couple of front teeth that keep growing long and strong all through your lifetime. Rats need to chew through a wide range of materials to wear their teeth out. Otherwise, their teeth will grow too long, making it impossible for them to eat or close their mouths, ultimately killing them. So, what exactly do they like to chew through?
Rats' Favorite Things To Chew
Rats chew constantly. This can be a frustrating discovery for a homeowner, particularly one who has exhausted all endeavors attempting to keep rats out. We've listed some of the most common and frequent items that rats like to chew on:- Wood
- Cement
- Plastic
- Brick
- Aluminum
- Lead
- Cinder Blocks
- Asbestos
Although rats can bite through some quite strong materials, there are still ways to block the rats from coming inside.
