Dallas County, Dallas Rat Control Situation:
I have been dealing with a "critter" in my attic for a few months, I called a pest professional in and they told me it was a mouse. I set several traps with no success. I figured then it was a bird and eventually I did not hear any further noise. Just recently the weather finally warmed up, I was leaving for work yesterday when I heard running in my eves on my back patio. Wood was removed from the corner of my house and a rat was looking at me. I left for work thinking it would leave. I had my son in law come over and fix the missing area of wood, only to hear later that evening it never left. We removed the wood to allow thw rat to leave. So this si where I am at now. What do I do?????? Help , Nancy
Hi David, I want to thank you for your article about the squirrels in the attic. I just found out that I have them and have called a professional to try to trap them. Your article gave me a lot of information to go on when the pro gets here later today. I didn't notice the big holes in the soffit of my roof right away, but I did notice some chewed up insulation in my driveway and was wondering where the heck did that come from. Then the next morning I noticed the patter of little feet. So I am pretty sure it is rats that I am dealing with. I know one of my neighbors feed the little rascals peanuts as I have found the peanuts buried in various places in my yard. So now they have found a home which of course I am not happy about as it probably will cost a lot of time and money to get rid of the squirrels and to patch the hole in my soffitt. Anyway as I write this I noticed two small rats or mice scamper across my garage roof. Too bad the trap was not in place this morning. Thanks again for your article. Very informative. Marilyn
Dallas 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.