Alameda County, Oakland Rat Control Situation:
I read your website on safe removal of rats and sealing up the entry. Could you answer some more questions on this topic? Several weeks ago, I discovered that I had a rat problem in the backyard. I thought the fancy tricks would work. They did not. Still have the rats. They are eating the dogs food and drinking their water. Thankfully, the dogs are vaccinated. I called the exterminator who had to put out poison in a secure area. Its been a few days over a week and I do not see or hear rats outside. Thought we were good! But, now I hear scratching, or chewing in the kitchen wall. Yes. IN the wall. I am freaked out! I did buy a cat (which I am allergic too, but in desperate times we take desperate measures.) I thought she could take care of anything that might happen ( I know these damn rats can eat through anything!) They ate through the dogs plastic bucket where their food was held. I have two small children. I am concerned for their safety. Who do I call to look for entries into the house? How will they seal the entries? I think it is under the siding. Years ago, I had the bottom siding replaced. I think they did not do a good job, so things are getting in..under and up. How will an exterminator get these rats out of the wall??? I am scared...for my kids...for me...for my house getting ruined. I just got laid off (at the end of the school year because of budget cuts ... I am a special education teacher). Can you offer advise on this. I am not sure what to do. Thanks.
My response: Rats in the wall isn't a big deal. They won't get you sick or anything. But as I've said on my website, you have to inspect the house and find out how the rodents are getting inside. Seal up every single last entry/exit hole and gap with steel. Trap, properly trap on rat runways, ALL the rats, and remove them from the house. If they are STUCK down a wall, you will have to cut a hole in the wall to remove them. But it's rare that they get stuck. As far as finding those entry holes, it's not always easy. Where do you live?
Wow! Rats in the wall not a big deal is NOT what I thought you would say. Sort of happy about that, really. I live in Oakland CA. I did look on your website for wildlife removers and did find a company you listed that handles these matters. I called them first thing this morning and left a message requesting their suppport. My questions are: 1. How will they get them out of the WALL???? I can hear them chewing and scratching. It is right next to two outlets (on either side of the wall). I worry that they will eat the electrical wire and cause a fire. I also worry that they will eat through the dry wall and come into the house (hence the cat...she knows her job). 2. Who do I call to fix the entry way problem that is allowing these pests to get in? 3. Am I in for a huge mess...and expense? 4. Is there a way to make the rats gone forever? I can deal with snakes, spiders, scorpions and mice, but rats are a whole different issue. Thanks for your reply. I sure do appreciate the support. In service, Judy
My response: I don't know what else to say. It's not a hard job. Very standard. Your wildlife company has to find out how they are getting in, and seal those ares shut with steel. Unless the rats are stuck in the wall, it's a normal job. If they are stuck, your wildlife company cuts a hole and fixes it afterward. The rats are gone forever once the entry holes are all sealed.
Oakland Rat Control Tip of The Week
New York City's Rat Problem
The Norway Rat:
The majority of rats in New York City are Norway rats, otherwise known as brown rats. Brown rats typically weigh 1 pound and they can grow up to 16 inches long. A brown rat needs just 1 ounce of food and water every day to survive.
Agile Creatures:
Brown rats are known for their ability to climb through pipes and get through small spaces. Even though some of the largest brown rats can be up to 20 inches long and weigh more than 2 pounds, it's easy for them to fit through a hole that's the size of a quarter. Rats have some serious superpowers and are capable of falling up to five stories without any injury and leaping up to 4 feet for climbing.
Going Through Any Material:
Rats also have extremely strong jaw muscles and quality teeth. There are rats in New York that are capable of chewing through cinderblocks and sewer pipes.
Where Rats Live:
Most rats will rarely travel more than 600 feet away from the area that they were born. Most rats like to nest and burrow in soft ground as well as below ground to live in colonies. A rat colony is usually between 30 to 50 rats and the number of rats in a burrow or family is usually between 8 to 12. Rats stay close to their food source and they can often be found just a few hundred feet from where they go every day to be fed. Public garbage areas, alleyways, and more can be a hotbed for rats and NYC produces its own information portal on areas where rats are heavily concentrated.
Massive Population:
It's estimated that there are roughly 2,000,000 rats in New York City and this means that the rat population in New York City sits around 25% of the total number of humans.
