Bergen County, Hackensack Rat Control Situation:
Hi David, I came across your site today. I am so glad I found you. I have a mouse problem...Well more like an invasion. There are so many of them...Constantly... Everything you said about mice and pest control companies is TRUE.. The pest control companies are not saying any of the things you are saying... In fact, when contacted they are laughing at the idea you mentioned of sealing entry ways.....I am at my wits end as it seems no one does what you mentioned on your site (sealing the areas etc). They want to stuff areas with brillo pads and put down the poison pellets. I have figured out some of the entry ways, that the mice are using to get into the house. The radiators are one way.. However I am sure there are several more. I want these mice gone for good.. Just can't live with them anymore! There are spaces near the radiator pipe and they squeeze through them. I am in Bergen County New Jersey, and I looked at your list of companies in my state. Do these companies do mice? Or do they just do wildlife like squirrels, bats etc? I was not sure when I read their descriptions if they did house mice. I also have an infestation of water bugs (yuck!) so I need someone for both. Do you think those companies you listed can help me? Which one do you think would be best for me to call? I wish you worked in New York. I really do...The pest control companies here just do not mention the things you mention, on your site...Talk to you soon. Regards, Anjene
Hi David, Live in Hackensack Nj and I have dealt with mice problems I'm my attic three times in previous years I have done it professionally which all he did was put down poised and told me to find the holes outside. This cost big bucks. Came back following year. Same thing. I've chalked and check foundation and im tired of spending hundreds of dollars. Any suggestions? Any pros who get rid of the problem and also check the foundation? Help. This freaks me out.
Hackensack Rat Control Tip of The Week
How Likely Is It That A Rat In The Attic Will Have A Nest Of Babies?
Rats are among the most common pest animal species that people may have to deal with around the home, and because they are quite small they can often be quite elusive little animals to deal with as well. They are quite good climbers when it comes to moving around a domestic property, so if you are worried about rats, they won?t necessarily be around ground level. Because the attic or roof space of most domestic properties is rarely used, it can often be the dark quiet place where rats can get a foothold and build a nest without being noticed by the people living beneath.
Do Rats Have A Mating Season?
Like most wild animals, rats in the wild do have a mating season, where they will normally copulate and impregnate female rats in the spring, and then the female will then give birth a few weeks later, and can then have a few litters over the summer. However, the reason for the mating season is that in rural areas there are limited food sources available during the winter months, so it is impractical for rats to mate during these months. However, over recent decades, a growing number of rats are actually giving birth throughout the year because food sources are also present throughout the year, so whatever time of the year you discover rats in the attic, you may find there are babies there too.
How Often Will Rats Give Birth?
Because of how quickly rats can go from mating to giving birth to a litter of baby rats, a female rat can often be back and ready to mate again within a few weeks from giving birth. This means that in some cases female rats can give birth to up to ten litters a year, so the population of rats from one breeding female can increase very quickly. It is also worth noting that a baby female will actually become sexually mature herself after around six weeks from birth, so the possibility for a rat population to expand very quickly where there is sufficient food is certainly there.
Dealing With Rats In The Attic
When it comes to dealing with a rat infestation, the first step is to identify where in the attic the rats are active, and while taking the appropriate precautions, look for areas where there is a buildup of rat droppings. You should then place several rat traps in these areas of the attic, along with a small amount of food as bait, and the next step is simply to watch and wait. You should remove any rat carcasses as they are caught in your traps, and then re-lay the trap with a new serving of bait, and you should then continue this process until you no longer see any signs of fresh rat activity, and when you are no longer catching any more rats. You will then need to carry out the appropriate repairs.
What To Do With A Nest Of Baby Rats
In some cases you may actually find a nest of baby rats in the attic, and if they are very young they will often be unable to look after themselves, and will ultimately die if they have to live without the support and feeding from their mother. Because of how common they are, baby rats are rarely suitable to be looked after by a wildlife rehabilitator, so in this case the most humane thing that you can do will be to kill those baby rats as humanely as possible.
