Rats keep climbing up my drain pipes and evidently eat their way through the drywall to get in to the attic and/or
by
Jan
+12
basement. I live in a woodsy area, but keep the landscape clean and sparse around the house, to no avail. Any suggestions?
15 answers
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Hi Jan, What sort of drain pipes do you have? Apparently they are not smooth enough that the rats are able to grab on and climb up? If that is the case, you might try to wrap the bottom few feet of them in something very smooth so they can't get a grip or install some sort of cone (wide point down) that will stop them from being able to climb up.
Dan's of Central Florida, Inc.
on Aug 27, 2011
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Thanks, Dan. They are just standard gutters (I should not have called them drain pipes.)
Jan
on Aug 27, 2011
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I have two cats that keep things cleared out around here. If you have space and patience for a new family member maybe you could get one from the local shelter. Other than that you'll be trapping them until you get them all and that may take some time depending on the population density and rate of reproduction.
Paul M
on Aug 27, 2011
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Rats or squirrels? Either are rodents. Might talk to an exterminator. If you put out Dcon they will probably die in your walls or attic, then you have to smell them for a month. I set traps and wire them to a floor joist or they will get caught and drag the trap away with them and die.Regardless get rid of them and patch up the holes where they are getting in. Very destructive as you say
Harold M
on Aug 28, 2011
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In my experience, rat problems are usually related to bird feeders close to the house. If you have feeders, put the at least 20 feet from the house....then hire an exterminator.
Walter Reeves
on Aug 28, 2011
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Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas. I do have several bird feeders, but it's nearly impossible to move them further, and I don't want to abandon my birds!
Jan
on Aug 28, 2011
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Then you need to get a trap. There is a trap available these days that uses batteries to electrocute the mice/rats when the get to the bait in the trap. We are currently using them where I work and they have done a stellar job so far.
Paul M
on Aug 28, 2011
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Build an Owl-house, get a cat or two, put out traps, clear any debris or bird feeders from around the areas they have been seen, and put out D-con bait stations, etc. If all else fails get a pellet gun, a lawn chair and a night vision scope!
Cliff D
on Aug 29, 2011
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Rats can be a real problem to remove, because of the different species of them they all have different habits which sometimes makes them difficult to remove. Rats are moving into your home because their past environment has changed for one reason or another. Using bird food is also inviting them towards your home as well. Chemical treatments are really short term and you risk killing other animals that could come into contact with them. Understanding the movement of rats also makes it easier to control them. They move normally in low light conditions. They leave grease marks along walls, corners and openings as their method of marking their movements. As rats have poor eyesight they rely on these markings to move about. If you look carefully where they are entering and exiting you will see these stains. This is why you often see them running along walls and not across floors. They need the walls to guide them around. I would suggest the following. Make an effort to move the feeders farther away from home. Even stop feeding for a few months until you get this under control. Knowing how they move around makes it easy to catch them. Place snap traps with what ever food source you think they have been supplied with. In your case bird food combined with some peanut butter to hold it into place should do the trick. Place the traps under leaning boards next to house. This makes a small cover that makes the rat feel safe and will keep them there long enough to get them to eat the bait. Using cardboard box such as a milk carton cut out on both ends and placed next to house as a tunnel also works. Just be sure there is room for the trap to snap closed. Do this in several areas. Next to where you suspect them to be climbing. If you do a bit of investigative work. You will find these trails that they use on a regular basis. Knowing this will help you trap them faster. Keep kids and domestic animals away as well. They oftentimes can disrupt the movements of the rats making it more difficult to trap them. Besides no one wants fluffy to be running around with a trap on their nose. Once trapped simply use a shovel if you feel uncomfortable using a gloved hand and place them into garbage bag for disposal. Do not re-use the traps. If you find the traps tripped with no critter, try try again. Just be sure to place enough sticky peanut butter under the trip arm so they have to work a bit to get to the last drop.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Aug 30, 2011
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Thank you, everyone, for the advice. I've learned quite a bit from all the replies, especially from Woodbridge Environmental. And Walter Reeves, I appreciate your time; always try to listen to you or read your articles.
Jan
on Aug 30, 2011
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if you stuff steel wool into the openings they are getting in thru and put tin or some other sheet type metal on the inside of where they are getting in in should stop them, as they do not like steel wool in their teeth.
M. Cary And Daughters Plumbing Contractors Inc
on Sep 01, 2011
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Place exterior rodent stations around the home then keep them baited year round it will dramatically reduce yuor problem. rats will travel as much as 100 feet. Inspect the property to determine nest sites,food and water sources and correct what you can. Dont pile things up aroound house, remove rock and brush piles. keep weeds mowed. then seal all entrances around home.
Keller Pest Control
on Jan 19, 2012
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Ihave had my home sealed by a professional pest remover and is still having a problem. I have used three exterminators and they made the problem worst. No one can determine the entrance point for what ever is getting into the walls of my home. I would appreciate any input that could help me resolve the problem. There was evidence of a flying squirrel in my attic which according to the wilflife remover is fixed. I was told that there might be a mice problem. Traps were set in my attic but nothing went anywhere near them. There is not evidence of mice inside the house. Off and on during the day and at night there is movement in the walls. Any advice would help
Leitha Mangum
on Jan 26, 2013
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I cant answer that unfortunately without inspecting your house. I do have some questions about the house. Is it loud scratching or squeeking noise/ Where exactly do you hear the noises and what time of day. .IE (first floor second floor Kitchen Bath Bedroom Basement. What type of construction Brick or Wood. Do you have an attached garage..Are the door sweeps good or can you see light under them . What made the inspectors say you had a mouse problem. What exactly did they see. You could have more than one problem I just finished a house where they called about a squirrel in the soffit. After live trapping it they still heard noises and the apples were taken from my traps.I placed snap traps and later caught 2 large mice and still may have more. One way to tell if you have a rodent problem is use a blacklight to find the urine stains left behind. Also look for droppings in all closets, basement ,garage kItchen cabinets, drop ceilings , crawl spaces .. Mice go 30 to 50 as many as 100 times a day and so you will find a problem with thorough inspection. In the attic they bore small holes in the insulation look for that. I am sorry I cant give you more help. Forward me the service tickets so ZI can read them if you want and I will see what they say on them., Call and ask questions of the pest control provider. Or call me at 816-765-6000 if you need more info.
Keller Pest Control
on Jan 29, 2013
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Leitha, contact me. I can come by and do a look see for you. Phone number is on profile or send me an email. Bob
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Jan 29, 2013
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