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
Different Rat Traps That Are Humane
A rat infestation is a big problem for almost every household. If you are having the same issues, you need to understand the fact that you are not alone in this problem. Although, you need to take quick removal actions because the rats won't leave unless you make them.
To help you achieve this, we will be sharing different rat traps that are humane that you can use to remove rats from your home. With the following traps, you won't have to bother about rats causing a nuisance in your home anymore.
Glue Boards
Glue traps are perfect for rats nesting in an enclosed area. These traps are designed with plastic and a semi-solid liquid that is believed to glue rats to its surface when they try to walk on it. To use a glue board, all you need to do is place it along the routes of the rat. The trap will intercept the rat's path and it will be trapped in the process.
The only issue with the use of this trap is that you will have to keep inspecting it from time to time in order to dispatch the rat from the board when it finally is trapped.
Fenn Traps
Fenn traps are designed for use in tunnels. The design of this trap makes it possible for it to trap rats only and prevent interaction with other non-target species. It's a special mechanism that makes it possible to kill the rat humanely by constricting and suffocating it.
Snap Traps
Snap traps are one of the most commonly used rat traps and are most suitable if you want to trap rats in your attic and other places in your home with limited access. It also kills rats instantly and is very effective in removing rats.