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Roof Rats...any Experience Getting Rid Of Them?


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#1 sunnyCA

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Posted 20 November 2015 - 09:16 AM

We heard scratching last week, called our pest control service (Terminix) and sure enough, we have rats in our attic. The pest control service recommended exclusion (basically finding and sealing every possible hole that they could get in), bait/traps to remove the rats that are in the attic, and then sanitizing the attic, removing the insulation, and blowing in new insulation.  The total estimate is almost $8000!  

 

We are going to get some other estimates but I thought I would see if anyone have experience in dealing with this or recommendations for companies to remove/deal with the rats?  



#2 Steve Heard

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Posted 20 November 2015 - 10:31 AM

We heard scratching last week, called our pest control service (Terminix) and sure enough, we have rats in our attic. The pest control service recommended exclusion (basically finding and sealing every possible hole that they could get in), bait/traps to remove the rats that are in the attic, and then sanitizing the attic, removing the insulation, and blowing in new insulation.  The total estimate is almost $8000!  

 

We are going to get some other estimates but I thought I would see if anyone have experience in dealing with this or recommendations for companies to remove/deal with the rats?  

 

I'd definitely get a second estimate.

 

Rats are very common around here, and I'd guess probably 1/4 of the home inspections I've seen over the years have reported rat poo in the attic. Sealing their entry points is important, as is limiting their access to the roof itself. Trees close to the roof make it easy for them to hop on. 


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#3 Sandman

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Posted 20 November 2015 - 11:22 AM

Any branches touching roof are like a highway for rats.  Make sure they are cleared and your problems will likely go away 

 

That pest control guy is simply looking to take you to the cleaners.  $8k and I would have shown him the front door in a hurry and gave him a piece of my mind.  Do us all a favor and post the company name and rep.  Rat turds in the attic wont hurt anyone....  Just sayin...  Traps/Decon costs a few bucks



#4 2 Aces

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Posted 20 November 2015 - 11:46 AM

We heard scratching last week, called our pest control service (Terminix)....The total estimate is almost $8000!


You should *FIRE* Terminix for attempting to insult your intelligence with that ridiculous quote.

Man, so many crooks out there !!

#5 Chris

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Posted 20 November 2015 - 06:07 PM

Find the nests in your attic and bag them up...  Wear a mask....   Get them all....   Then survey the outside of your house for small holes and cracks in the eves and tile.  Plug them up with bondo, stucco patch, or plain old latex caulk.   Mix chicken wire or mesh into the mix so they can't chew through the patch.   Then place poison, baits,  and sticky traps around your perimeter.  Sticky traps in the attic with peanut butter in the middle and monitor them every day or two...  Tie them down with string to a nail in the wood somewhere so they don't travel off or get help to move once sticked...!    Problem solved for a lot less than $8K and in probably a week or two.   Remember, rats can climb stucco with no problem.   They can also climb drain pipes.  Make it difficult for them and they go to the next house.   I am sure you can do this for less money and more work on  your part.  Maybe $150 or less.....  Regards


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#6 Walnut

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Posted 21 November 2015 - 09:03 AM

Find the nests in your attic and bag them up...  Wear a mask....   Get them all....   Then survey the outside of your house for small holes and cracks in the eves and tile.  Plug them up with bondo, stucco patch, or plain old latex caulk.   Mix chicken wire or mesh into the mix so they can't chew through the patch.   Then place poison, baits,  and sticky traps around your perimeter.  Sticky traps in the attic with peanut butter in the middle and monitor them every day or two...  Tie them down with string to a nail in the wood somewhere so they don't travel off or get help to move once sticked...!    Problem solved for a lot less than $8K and in probably a week or two.   Remember, rats can climb stucco with no problem.   They can also climb drain pipes.  Make it difficult for them and they go to the next house.   I am sure you can do this for less money and more work on  your part.  Maybe $150 or less.....  Regards

 

Well said.  Some extra stuff based on my experience...

 

I found it impossible to find every entry point, so also added the tactic of killing them when they were outside. (They have to leave the warmth and security of the attic to get food and water.).   Extra outdoor traps. 

 

I also found a guy who does attic clean up, including sanitizing.  Cost me $250 to find a dead rat (stinky) and replace some insulation. PM me for the name and number.

 

While dealing with my rat problem I learned this is common in Folsom.  

 

$8K is absurd and insulting. 



#7 sunnyCA

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Posted 21 November 2015 - 08:48 PM

Thanks to all who commented. I knew $8k for the "exclusion" and "restoration" sounded ridiculous.  And they are clearly interested in making the deal...the guy has called 2x since leaving us the estimate.  I wonder if he gets commission if we agree to pony  up $8K.

 

Walnut, I will PM you...

 

Thanks again.



#8 folsom500

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Posted 22 November 2015 - 07:06 AM

I like Chris' comment to tie a string to the sticky mat. I have lost quite a few and never found them- likely with one or more legs or a nose attached to them as they run away...

Another great  day in the adventure of exploration and sight.

 

 

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#9 kcrides99

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Posted 22 November 2015 - 11:20 AM

Any tips on what to use as bait? Tried peanut butter but no traps have been tripped...

#10 ducky

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Posted 22 November 2015 - 06:24 PM

I don't know if this helps, but my sister had the same problem.  She used steel wool to fill in the small spaces created where cable wires went into the attic or anyplace she suspected they could travel through.  They won't chew it out.



#11 Tyto Alba

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Posted 24 November 2015 - 01:15 AM

My home always has rat problems in the Autumn (fruit trees and dropping temps).   Make sure you get the large rat traps and anchor the traps down on a large flat cardboard piece for easy handling.   Use meat for bait.    Place the traps above the garage in the attic access.   The rats will travel.    If you have more than one.....keep trapping them until there all gone.    For cleaning the attic I have taken a smaller vacuum in the attic and eliminated the droppings.    You also can get rid of the dust and cob webs.    I would spray the main areas with a solution of 50/50 bleach and water.    Good Luck.



#12 Anthony2173

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Posted 24 November 2015 - 03:29 PM

They are everywhere in Folsom but few people want to acknowledge it. I told my neighbor we had a rat in the attic and was told it's a squirrel because there are no rats in Natoma Station. Well, squirrels aren’t nocturnal. I left a trap out and sure enough it was a rat. Not just one, we had several.

 

The poisons work but sometimes those little boogers go home to die and leave you with an awful smell which lasts for a week minimum. Just knowing that a dead rat is putrefying in the attic is enough to make this the least desirable option for me.

 

The best course of action is to use the big wood snap traps. I like using a nice piece of Prosciutto di Parma and a small chunk of Asiago as bait. It’s their last meal so it’s nice to put out a decent spread. You know, class it up a bit.

 

You really need to seal up gaps in the roof and anywhere along the base of your house. I used green smoke bombs in the attic to see where there was access to the outside and sealed holes with steel wool. Kidding with the smoke bombs but it would be super cool.

 

I did check the roof and packed steel wool in the holes since rats have a hard time chewing through it. I also posted up a snap trap right next to where the opening was for good measure. You would be shocked at how many open entry points there are in our roofs. Rats can stuff their entire bubonic flea carrying bodies through an opening the size of a quarter. It’s like watching David Blain when they pull that stunt.

 

I followed the same process along the base of the house using a mirror to look under the lip of the stucco. It’s been several years without a rat. Outside the occasional spot check I haven’t done any additional work.

 

*PLUG ALERT*

 

If you aren’t ambitious or just don’t want to be bothered we do have a Folsom based company that does all of the above and no, it’s not me. Thomas Wildlife Control did basically everything I listed above to my neighbor’s house but used screens vs. steel wool after I proved there are rats in Natoma Station. In hindsight I should have done the same because I’m fat, old and don’t belong on a roof.

 

http://www.folsomwildlifecontrol.com/



#13 kcrides99

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Posted 24 November 2015 - 04:50 PM

Any idea what your neighbor paid?

#14 The Average Joe

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Posted 24 November 2015 - 05:35 PM


 

 I like using a nice piece of Prosciutto di Parma and a small chunk of Asiago as bait.

 

All you need to add is a nice glass of wine, and you'd be needing Average Joe sized traps...


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#15 Chris

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Posted 24 November 2015 - 07:59 PM

 

 

The best course of action is to use the big wood snap traps. I like using a nice piece of Prosciutto di Parma and a small chunk of Asiago as bait. It’s their last meal so it’s nice to put out a decent spread. You know, class it up a bit.

 

 

Best fed rats in your neighborhood for sure....!  Maybe a thimble of a nice Merlot or Pinot too on the side...?   I like the compassion, before the kill of course....!   Chris


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