Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Rat Control Situation:
Hello David, Thanks for a comprehensive excellent web site. My cat passed away a while ago and the rats moved in ! Never had a Rodent problem in the 18 years previously. Always had cats though. I am from Western Pittsburgh and my house is a 1950's open eves with that blow in insulation that's about 25years old. I have done my best to wire up all holes but a few still exist . Aside from boarding up the whole eve all way round which then restricts airflow in our hot summer. I have laid 15 traps to start with, a few small and a few large. Baited with peanut butter and pressed the peanut butter onto the tab so it's not just resting on there. I got 1. Now whatever is up there is licking of the peanut butter of the large and small traps ! Damm varments. I have set all traps rights to the edge off the lever. On firm surfaces like the rafters. Maybe it's the quality of the trap ? I may have to order some of your victor traps from the U.S. So my recent rebaiting happened yesterday and I checked today, yep a couple with half the peanut butter licked off. It's the fancy organic smooth peanut butter too. Appreciate any suggestion's David, apart from getting another Cat.
David,Can you provide me with a telephone number of someone who actually can properly seal a home and clean an attic for rats in Pittsburgh PA? No one so far has sealed my home. They charge me to seal it but then the rats still come in. Thanks. I need your advise hoe to get rid of the small rat in my flat. ..just saw few days ago. everyone at home are afraid of it. We are must get rid of it...pls advice..
I'm writing to get some insight on how to get rid of mice in my wall. They may be coming in through the weeping holes outside of my house. We have put fiber glass wire in the holes after we though they were gone, but I still smell their poop after they have finished.
Pittsburgh Rat Control Tip of The Week
How Far And High Can A Rat Jump?
Jumping is a major part of many animals' survival instincts including rats. But in the case of these small rodents, they have a special way of using this particular survival instinct to their best advantage. One of the most common rats around, which is the brown rat, is known to be able to jump over four feet horizontally or in a downward slope and leap vertically to about 77 centimeters without hurting itself. This clearly shows how high rats can jump and how well they can suspend themselves in the air.
The jumping performance of rats depends mainly on their species because some rats are big while others have lighter bodies which tend to support agile movements. For instance, black rats with lean bodies are known to be able to leap over five feet. While brown rats with large body frames find it quite difficult to leap but do well at jumping downwards.
Another reason why some rats jump better than others is mainly because of their better survival instincts and hunting abilities. Rats in the wild are better at jumping than those in the suburban and urban areas. Therefore, you shouldn't expect the rats in your home to jump or leap that high.
Rats are naturally silent animals and will prefer to move around unnoticed. But in some cases, they make use of their jumping skills. One of the special cases in which they use their jumping skills is when they see a possible threat or a predator. They often use this to propel their speed and get away as soon as they can. Their speed and swift body movements are one of the ways they can stay alive and avoid been eaten by a predator.
