Fulton County, Atlanta Rat Control Situation:
Hello, I ran across your article rats in the Attic online earlier today. I have some type of critter that moved in a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was a squirrel until I read your article that said squirrels are diurnal in nature. The thing in my attic is most active around 11pm, I can hear it move around a little bit and chewing on something-it sounds like a handsaw operating, and then again about 6am when it chews much more often and much louder. Is this symptomatic of a squirrel or could it be something else? You say rats live in the attic at night, but I don't even want to say the word rat. I live in Southeast Atlanta Georgia, so I'm not sure it's a flying squirrel, and it's definitely not big enough to be a raccoon or a opossum. Any help you could offer me would be very much appreciated. Thank you!
My response: Sounds like rat activity to me. Maybe you should have a wildlife expert come out and inspect your attic. You've got to find out how the rats are getting in, and seal those areas shut with steel.
Hi, I have a rat in my mini van and I can't get rid of it. I have tried traps - they didn't work. Poison - I think this rat thrives on it . I‘ve clean the van of any food and as it is a newish van there isn't anyway to get in. Help! Minnie
David, I live in Atlanta, not near you in Orlando, but I was looking over your photos of the rats. What are you using for bait on the snap traps or does it vary? Specifically dealing with roof rats and have you used traps outside? I'm fairly sure that I have most of the roof rats (sealed all points and it's been a while) but I feel like making sure by setting a few traps. Any hints would be greatly appreciated.
I bait the traps with a thin spread of peanut butter. But the location of the traps is 10x as important as the bait. Set the traps in areas of high rat activity.
Atlanta Rat Control Tip of The Week
Where Do Rats Live During The Summer?
Rodents have been able to colonize most of the earth's habitats. Different species of mice and rats are found from warm deserts to tropical mountains. Polar zones are considered the only place without rodents.
During summer, their survival instinct takes rats to shelter in place in which food is abundant and easy to get. The favorite places for rats are country houses and barns that provide them plenty of food. On the other hand, in the cities, most of the rats live in sewers where they feed on fruit, meat, and bread residues that are discarded in the garbage.
The Urban Plague
Rodents are big and repulsive. The two most known species are the gray rat or sewer rat, (Rattus Norvegicus), and the black rat or roof rat (Rattus Rattus). Although there are different species, they are both characterized by their lack of hygiene, as they live in filthy areas.
These creatures have the ability to acclimatize in urban environments because with the arrival of summer, they reproduce and start to invade people's homes to find food and shelter. Rats are among the animals that proliferate the most during summer since proper conditions for the pups' development are warm and dry conditions.
Inside Homes
Rodents will look for food and residues left on the floor. Also, places with plenty of holes and clutter. From a small crack in the wall to a space behind the fridge or the washing machine, these will be perfect places for a rodent to find refuge to save its food, live comfortably, and reproduce.
To prevent invasion problems, it is advisable to call a specialist in pest control. Proper rat extermination should be combined with actions such as tightly closing garbage cans, cleaning of the house, and other preventive measures.
