Hartford County, Hartford Rat Control Situation:
Hi David, We are very impressed with your website! Sadly, we found it after spending hundreds of dollars with a local exterminator/pest control company. Naturally, we still have a rat problem... We would like to attempt to eradicate and/or handle our "little problem" ourselves (we are pretty handy...) and in this economy we need to conserve where we can (especially after we spent money on the worthless "experts"!) My first question for you is... how do you make a one-way door for rats? We roof rats in our attic. The openings to outside have all been closed up, but we would like to be able to leave the animals a way out... just not a way IN. We liked the photographs on your website of the mesh funnel and the tower-looking one-way door, but we can't figure out how to make them. Do you have specifications or design plans for those two items? We would really appreciate it! My second question is... the product that you use to fog/disinfect after clean-up... does it have to be a fog or can it be a spray? If we fog the attic, how long do the people and the house pets have to be out of the house? My third question is... is an N-95 mask sufficient protection when working in the attic? Thank you, David! Sincerely, Carrie
My response: To make a one-way door, roll steel mesh into a funnel a foot long, with an opening the size of a quarter on the exit end. I wear a Tyvek suit, latex cloves, a HEPA respirator mask, and I remove the feces by hand, plus the soiled insulation, and bag it in plastic bags. I then fog the attic with a special cleaner called Bac-Azap, which helps decontaminate. You can try this yourself at your own risk, or hire a local company in your area off of my professionals directory.
Hartford Rat Control Tip of The Week
How Deep Do Rats Dig Holes Or Burrow Under Houses?
Asides from being a very smart animal with a high sense of adaptability, rats are keen diggers. With their dexterous paws and strong teeth, they can chew through plastic, wood, and even aluminum. This clearly shows how much of a good digger these rodents are. Also, if you have holes around your house, these rodents might be responsible for creating them.
Maybe you have rats digging holes or burrows under your house and you have always wanted to know how deep these holes are. The fact is these excellent diggers can dig holes as long as 3 feet and as deep as 18 inches. This digging skill allows them to create deep burrows and holes under your home
Due to their smart nature, rats don't just dig burrows and holes blindly. They dig with plans and prepare for the worst-case scenario by creating one or two exit points apart from the entry hole, in case they are attacked by a predator. Therefore, if you see a rat hole or burrow around your house, you must look around to find its exit hole. Unlike the entry hole which is usually clean and free from dirt, rats usually use thatches of grass to conceal their exit holes. This simply means you have to look around carefully to find it.
While examining these holes and burrows, you need to be very careful and avoid moving too close to it. Snakes or any other harmful animal could also be inhibiting the hole. If you have to dig in the hole or make close contact, make sure you are well protected.