Kings County, New York City Rat Control Situation:
Hi, I found your site very informative and helpful. I live in a ground floor duplex in New York City and we have had a rat problem in between our two floors since last August. The management company has sent an exterminator out several times-- to remove carcasses from the ceiling, place rodenticide in the ceiling, and fill any holes outside the apartment building. The problem is still going on almost a year later and we can't seem to figure out how they are getting in.
There is definitely less scratching and scurrying now compared to a few months ago, but the smell is consistently unbearable as something dies in the ceiling every few weeks to the point that I am ready to just move out. I have asked the management company to take a more proactive approach to the problem rather than reactive when I call and complain, perhaps gut the ceiling to expose the problem area, but they don't seem willing to do it. I can imagine there are a lot of droppings and urine in addition to at least 3-4 dead carcasses. Would the smell disappate if no more rats could get in (i.e. if we found and closed the access points), or is that something that will just continue to fester?
I am trying to make a case to the management that it is necessary for them to clean all the droppings and carcasses to restore the apartment to a sanitary environment. I noticed on your site you mentioned that rats can smell the droppings and urine of other rats, indicating the area is a safe habitat. I also think opening the ceiling might expose the access points. Apparently my unit is the only one of 47 in the building with a reported rat problem. Do you have any suggestions? Best regards, Alexandra
My response: Sounds like a very tough case. The entry holes into the building, or at least, the apartment, must be found and sealed! Check behind the oven, for example. The odor will disappear as soon as all rats are gone and any biomass dries up.
Thanks for the response! I got them to remove the entire ceiling and they said they removed some carcasses and closed a bunch of holes inside. I was on a business trip the past week and will see the result tonight. Fingers crossed the problem is resolved!
New York City Rat Control Tip of The Week
Why Don't High Pitch Sound Deterrent Machines And Strobing Lights Work Against Rats?
The first thing you need to understand about high pitch sound deterrent machines and strobing lights is that these machines have been officially announced as being fraudulent by the Federal Trade Commission. This is enough proof that the efficiency of these repelling devices is self-proclaimed and that they don't have anything to offer when it comes to repelling rats from your home.
Have you been wondering why these devices don't work against rats? Right here, we will be sharing all you need to know about them and why you should consider other means of getting rid of the rats in your home.
High pitch sound deterrent machines or strobing lights that are designed to repel rats using mechanical means. The former uses high pitch sounds that don't affect humans and is not audible to the human hearing to irritate the eardrums of small animals like rats and make them stay away from the areas the sound is coming from. While the latter is designed using a short wavelength of light rays to scare rats away in the night whenever they try to move around.
These devices might seem like a perfect way to repel rats, but the fact is that neither of these devices work. Rats are smart animals and can easily figure out if something poses a serious threat to them or not. Once they figure out that it doesn't, they will continue with their activities and withstand the effects caused by these devices.
Having shared this, you must consider other ways of getting rid of these rats in other to avoid wasting your hard-earned money. Neither of these devices will give you the results that you desire.
