Dane County, Madison Rat Control Situation:
Hi my name is Sabrina. I own a beautiful home in Madison WI. I have an area in my garage where the drywall was removed near my water heater. I was sound asleep tonight and woke up to this really loud scratching noise above my bed. I'm a total scaredy cat and I have no idea what to do. Last week I was asleep and the doorbell kept going off but no one there then the actual doorbell box Above the closest started buzzing so loud And I climbed on the chair and it smelt like it was burning I called the fire dept and thank god they disconnected it. It was burning. Do you think this may be a big critter it sounds so big and I'm so scared. Please help me.
Hello, I own a two flat brick building. I live on the first floor. I have set traps and attempted to close up all holes in my home. However I heard some scratching in my ceiling and in the walls. What can I do that is not so expensive.
We just recently got a rat or mouse in the house and we assumed it upstairs since we heard scratching and walking. We set traps and we seemed to be waiting long for it to finally work. However, we realized it wasn't upstairs but between the downstairs ceiling and upstairs floor. It's hard to put a trap between the floor. We are confused on what to do. Some advice on how to solve the problem would be great.
I have been searching the internet for clues on my husband memory and confusion issues. I came across your article. Almost two yeas ago he cleaned out a shed that had been invaded by rats and squirrels, he did wear a mask for some of the time but once he got used to the smell he did not use it any more. Now he shows sign of dementia or allzimers. I have trouble with that as I can't get out of my mind the feeling that it is related to that filthy building. The smell was over powering even from standing outside of the door. Could there be a link? Thanks
Madison Rat Control Tip of The Week
What Are Possible Diseases Rats Can Carry?
Apart from causing severe damage to the structure of houses, rats are major carriers of life-threatening diseases. This simply shows how important it is for you to remove them from your home and make sure they don't find their way back.
Disease transmission from rats to humans can occur through several routes. These include;- Human exposure to wastes of rats such as feces, saliva, nesting materials, and urine while handling or removing them from homes.
- Bites from rats that are infected.
- Unsafe handling of rats (touching of rats without wearing gloves) and eating food that is contaminated with rat feces, urine, or saliva.
Diseases can be transmitted from rats through any of the above means. This clearly shows that if you have rats running around your home, you are at a high risk of getting infected. The following are some of the possible diseases rats can carry.
1. Hantavirus
This particular disease is one of the most life-threatening diseases that rats carry. Currently, Hantavirus is yet to have a known cure, vaccine, or treatment. Some of the symptoms of this particular disease include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea.
2. Salmonella
This particular disease is a bacterial infection carried in the digestive tracts of rats. When they pass feces, it usually contains a large proportion of this bacteria. If by mistake you consume any food substances that are contaminated with this bacteria, you might contract Salmonella. Some of the symptoms of this disease include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills, nausea, and abdominal cramps.
3. Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus
This disease is another life-threatening disease that rats transmit to humans when there is contact. LCMV is capable of causing encephalitis and meningitis if not quickly managed at its early phase.
4. Rat-bite Fever
Unlike other types of diseases, rat-bite fever is only transmitted when a rat bites you. The bacteria of this disease is found in the saliva of rats. The symptoms of this infection include high fever, muscle pain, headaches, and skin rash.
