Riverside County, Riverside Rat Control Situation:
David, Read your entire website with interest as we recently purchased a home in the Palm Springs area and the inspection of it passed but did not mention any rats/mice. However within the first week of moving in we heard the distinct scratching of feet in our attic. I have since been up there and we do have droppings and signs that they have been there for a while. Our plan is to seal the entry points, lay traps and then have the attic insulation removed, attic sanitized and new insulation put in. See questions below if you would be so kind as to assist. To this point, we have no droppings in the living area, no outside obvious entry points (we walked the premises with a professional extermination company that handles rodents) and now moving to the roof to get a roofing company to come in and close all entry points, seal caps etc. Garbage is in the garage in sealed containers, we have no trees close to the house and no citrus at all on the property. Reason for this email is that the only company you show in this area is in Riverside and I wonder if you have any recommendations for a firm in the Coachella Valley. If so, could you please send me the contact name and phone number as we will be following your recommendations to the letter. QUESTIONS: Assuming we get all the entry points closed and sealed properly, should we use the extermination company as you show to do the re-insulation of the attic? We have been quoted on the service that they will trap and remove, then using HEPA vacuums and in proper gear will remove all insulation in bags for safe destruction and then they use a bleach/water combination to sanitize. Obvious next step is to re-insulate the attic. Your thoughts on the process and the bleach/water solution? Recognizing that we have no contacts within this industry, what questions should we be asking the firms we are talking to so as to avoid getting ripped off or worse...not eliminating the issues and problems? Last question: roof is most likely the entry points. Am I going down the right path to get a roofing company to seal these points from the outside and ask that they use steel within the closure? Really appreciate the reply as Canadians that just bought the home, we don't have quite the issue back where we are from. Thanks, Tim
Riverside Rat Control Tip of The Week
Is It Common For Rats To Die During The Winter?
Nature gave rodents characteristics to survive different times of the year. A very useful feature in rats when winter is coming is being more aggressive to make sure they obtain greater amounts of food.
These animals will eat a portion of their food but will save the other part in their burrows. Among the most common provisions are pet food, dead animals, paper, plastic, fabric, and seeds.
If Rodents Do Not Find Shelter And Food, They Will Not Survive Winter
Rats have the capacity to generate extra energy through different activities that help them to keep their core temperature. However, eventually, this mechanism is harmful since it can cause inflammation in their muscles and stress for generating that amount of heat.
During summer, these rodents at 4 months old have already had their first litter of pups. Throughout their lives, they can reproduce at least 10 times. When a population is exterminated, this can regenerate in a short period. However, during winter, their reproductive capacities slow down, so if a population is exterminated, it may not be regenerated.
Be Watchful
It is important to remember that these rodents easily adapt to any warm place in your home. They can invade the majority of places that surround you and move in the dark. Although you do not see it, your house might be infested with dozens of rodents.
Each rodent has an extra store of energy during the winter that will increase their need to feed. They will also shelter and organize in colonies with a very specific hierarchy.
With winter arrival, you must be watchful. One of the best options is to find a specialist to guide you with the most effective ways to avoid unwanted guests.
