Montgomery County, Clarksville Rat Control Situation:
Thought I had a red squirrel in my 6 inch cottage attic space as I caught one before in a live trap on the roof. Never heard noise after that for a while. Now the noise is back. However I just read that red squirrels aren't nocturnal, is that true? It stirs in the night and sets my dog to barking.... but usually around 4:00 am though. Tonight about 2:00am I heard something in the kitchen and now there are feces on my kitchen counter and on the toaster over. They are black and look just like mouse droppings only very large. Do you think it may be a red squirrel or a rat? There are lots of red squirrels and mice in this remote area but I have never seen a rat.
I've been reading your site and really appreciate the info. If I don't have the stomach to handle this, or I don't trust my husband to do a thorough job, what should I expect to pay an exterminator? I live in Clarksville TN. The vermin are in a place in think is probably very difficult for humans to access.
I was reading your very informative article, and I'm having a problem locating the access panel for my new double wide mobile home. Which is really a pre-fab home with regular 6 inch walls. Is it possible that the crawl,space is accessible through the roof? I have looked very closely in both rooms, and closets. No luck. I've had a professional trapper come to my condo last week to set traps in the ceilings of my kitchen and 2nd floor bathroom. He sealed up any entry points outside. So far I've only caught one rat but I think I still hear scratchings at night. I haven't caught any for a whole week now. what should I do?
We recently started noting rat dropping in our house.. we live in a townhouse and most of the droppings were on stairs leading to first floor.. we immediately called pet control and they kept bait in the kitchen , 1st floor and attic..however rat is still coming in.. we are unable to locate the entry point and since sealed 2 places.. sides of dish washer and kitchen exhaust(lamp cover is open) ... we still see it coming.. place we live in is newly built townhouse.. 4 yrs old.. i cannot find a place in the ground floor as point of entry.
Clarksville Rat Control Tip of The Week
What Are The Mating Habits Of The Black Rat And Norway Rat?
Black Rat
The ship rats have a polygamous mating framework, where a single male mates with various females. As a rule, the prevailing male is a successful breeder. These rats mate from March to November. The development or conception period goes on for 21 - 29 days, yielding 3 - 5 litters of 1 - 16 young (with a normal or average of 7) every year. Children of this species are brought into the world altricial. Their eyes open just at 15 days old, while hairs show up before the end of the nursing period. The young ones are weaned, and become independent at 3 - 4 months of age.
Norway Rat
Norway rats generally build homes in below-ground burrows or at ground level. Homes might be fixed with shredded paper, fabric, or different stringy materials. Litters of 6 to 12 young ones are brought into the world 21 to 23 days after conception. Baby rats are stripped, and their eyes are shut; however, they develop quickly. They can eat solid food at 2 1/2 to 3 weeks. They become independent at around 3 weeks to about a month and arrive at reproductive maturity at 3 months old, sometimes as early as 8 weeks. Female Norway Rats may come into heat every 4 or 5 days, and they may even mate a day after a litter is conceived. The average female rat has 4 to 6 litters per year and may effectively wean at least 20 offspring every year.