Brevard County, Melbourne Rat Control Situation:
David, I have trapped 3 roof rats in the attic and have heard more this morning chewing and romping about. I have sealed all entries I to the house with exception to drain stacks on roof. I can see feces in gutters but cannot see anywhere where they could be getting into the attic. I have been working with an exterminator for two months and he's out of ideas so I was wondering what advise you may put forward. Sure would like to get rid of them for good prior to breeding season. I am in Dallas Tx area. Last December our dog caught o e in yard, this summer I caught one in shed, and I caught one in attic and pro has caught two ... But like I said there appears to be more. We have a two story stucco house in Melbourne FL. Over the past 3 years I have caught at least 30 mice in our attic, all the while searching diligently and unsuccessfully for the entry point(s). I found a few possible places and have closed them off but still catch one or two a week. I am completely stumped on this. They are only in the attic as far as I know. We do have a dryer flap-vent in a below grade window well but that leads to the basement and we don't see them there. Is there any new "scientific" way to identify entry points? Advice appreciated pls -- Matt
Melbourne Rat Control Tip of The Week
Norway Rat Biology
The Norway rat is typically nocturnal. It is a good swimmer; however, unlike the related black rat, it is a poor climber. Norway rats burrow well, and regularly uncover broad tunnel systems.
Rats are equipped for creating ultrasonic vocalizations, both as grown-ups and babies. They may likewise transmit short, high frequency, socially-prompted vocalization during interaction with different rats or animals. This call most takes after a trilling sound but is undetectable to human ears. Rats can discernibly be heard through calls sounding like squeaks when they are in trouble.
These rats are omnivores. This implies they can eat both plants and animals. As predators, rats are opportunistic.
The Norway rat can breed consistently if the conditions are reasonable, and a female can deliver up to twelve litters in a year. The gestation period is just 21 days, and litters can number up to fourteen, albeit smaller litters are common. In this way, the rat population can increase rapidly. Rats have a lifespan of around three years, yet regularly live less than one year.
Norway rats live in enormous hierarchical groups, either in tunnels or subsurface places, such as sewers and basements. When food is hard to come by, the rats lower in the social order are the first to die. If a large portion of a rat populace is eliminated from a zone, the rest will expand their reproductive rate, and rapidly reestablish the old populace level. This makes it imperative to have a plan to get rid of the entire rat population on your property if an infestation occurs.