Mecklenburg County, Charlotte Rat Control Situation:
Hi David, great website and thanks for all the tips. I got a couple questions related to a rat trapped in my garage for the past 6 weeks. He got in because the garage door was left open and can't get out. I've place 4 snap traps baited with peanut butter in areas that he frequents as well as along walls. I've also placed glue traps in similar areas. This rat has avoided all these traps so far but he did trigger a bunch of smaller snap mouse traps that I placed weeks ago when I thought he was a mouse, and not a rat. Questions: 1.) how long do I wait for him to trigger a snap trap? I think he's pretty hungry since I took out any potential for food for him out of the garage. 2.) should I move my cars out of the garage for fear of him gnawing at the hoses/wires? 3.) do you think I can "flush" him out...remove all cars, boxes, stuff, places for him to hide and chase him out of the garage? 4.) can they gnaw through metal pipes? I still don't know where he is getting his water source? 5.) any other ideas/suggestions? Borrow my neighbors cat? Thanks for your help.
My response: That's very strange. If a rat wants to get out, it can get out. Why not leave the garage door open for a few minutes? How do you know it's still there?
Don't know if he wants to get out now that he has a warm place to live. I still see his poop and pee that he leaves every night. I actually saw him face to face as I was surveying the damage he is doing to stuff inside my garage. I am contemplating on trying to "flush" him out by moving all my boxes out so he has nowhere to hide. What do think about that option? Or should I just buy more snap traps? Or borrow a cat?
I guess you could try to borrow a cat, but that doesn't always work. Sounds like your current snap traps aren't working. Maybe a live cage trap?
Charlotte Rat Control Tip of The Week
Black Rat Biology
The black rat (Rates Rattus) has likewise been known as a ship rat, rooftop rat, and old English rat, among other names. It is a long-tailed rodent that is native to Asia. However, it is found in practically all parts of the world today. Black rats prefer hotter zones, however, are profoundly versatile, and will look for cover in natural (woods) and unnatural (homes and structures) areas. It is bigger and more aggressive than its brown-colored cousin, but is more vulnerable to cold and has a more constrained diet. Black rats are generally omnivores. They are a genuine threat to ranchers since they will eat a wide scope of farming harvests, seeds, and feed. A large population of black rats can decimate a field of crops, or contaminate a barn full of feed and hay.
A common black rat is 5.02-7.19 in long, including its tail, and weights 4.12 oz. when fully grown. Notwithstanding its name, the black rat is normally not black. Its coat is typically extremely dark brown. In the wild, black rats want to settle in burrows made using the ground litter (leaves, twigs, etc.) found on timberland floors. In urban settings, they like attics and upper floors of structures, making homes from discovered litter, destroyed paper, and insulation.
They are also tasty meals for coyotes, wild dogs, and other predator winged animals. These obtrusive pests are difficult to dispose of once they move in. Talk with your neighborhood experts on approaches to shield your home from being overrun. Keeping your yard free of clutter, yard debris, standing water, and trash will deter them. You should keep all garbage in fixed holders, and pick up outside pet food and feed. Routinely check your home and building for cracks and openings that would give black rats a path to your home. Black rats are keener on living in their normal habitat than in your home; however, they will consistently exploit food, water, and safe shelter.
