Rodent Removal and Control in Morganville home

Challenge

Although pest control technicians at Cowleys more commonly encounter mouse infestations, we do on occasion deal with a rodent that most of us find to be even more disturbing — rats! This homeowner in contacted Cowleys to help her with a troublesome rat infestation. 

Never underestimate rats! They are known for being one of the most intelligent problem-solving rodents. They are cautious in their surroundings and are wary of traps and anything new in their surroundings. They have astonishing physical capabilities. They are able to access openings as small as a half-inch diameter, run along horizontal wires (while roof rats can climb vertical wires), jump one yard from a flat surface, and can swim for great distances, allowing them to enter homes through waste pipes and toilets!

With any rodent infestation, I start with a thorough inspection of the property. The inspection provides me with the information I need to assess the severity of the problem, look for sanitation deficiencies that may be contributing to the rodent problem, identify potential access points into the home, and formulate my treatment plan of where it is necessary to bait and trap. 

Solution

During my inspection of the home’s exterior perimeter, In the backyard, I observed rats that appeared to be going under the siding and removing the insulation in order to gain access into the home in the wall behind the kitchen sink. There was a second access hole in the closet. The homeowners attempted to block this access by stuffing the hole with steel wool (Brillo pads). It did not deter the rats. They simply chewed right underneath.

I am also looking for potential sanitization issues and rodent attractants. Doing my inspection, I observed rats feeding on the bird seeds. The homeowners had a bird feeder in their backyard, and there were seeds on the floor in the same area of their access point into the home. According to the homeowner, at one time, she had kept birdseed underneath the kitchen sink and then moved the birdseed into the closet. Based on the two access points, it seems like this was no coincidence. The rats were following the seeds!

I installed a bait station outside the home near the rat’s exit hole, and also carefully applied tracking powder in the kitchen sink and in the closet. This tracking powder, for use only by certified applicators, contains a toxicant that adheres to the rat’s fur and paws. The powder is ingested when the rodent grooms. It is important to apply this powder cautiously, especially if there are pets in the home. it should not be used in drafty locations where it could become airborne or where it could contaminate food or surfaces used for food preparation.

I returned for a follow-up a few weeks later in order to re-inspect and determine the effectiveness of the first treatment. This was also when I would close up the rats’ access holes. Good news! There was no evidence of any further rat activity. I sealed up the wall voids being used by the rats to gain entry for a proper exclusion. 

I’m confident that this rat infestation has been successfully resolved, and, before leaving,  I talked to the homeowners about the importance of properly storing birdseed and other foods in chew-proof containers. Also, storing foods or other rodent attractants at ground level is asking for trouble. The homeowners were clearly relieved that their rat problem was over, and I told them to contact me if they saw any more rats or evidence of rat activity in or around their home.

Case study follow up

I did a three week follow up visit. There was no activity in any of the bait stations. So I started filling up the voids in the walls that were created by the rats for a proper exclusion.