Research Paper On Rats In The Cellar
Rats in the Cellar
The last thing any homeowner wants to discover is that they have rats in the cellar (basement), especially since the rodents are harbingers of disease. They also cause safety hazards due to their natural gnawing instinct and can chew through electrical wires, which can result in the house catching on fire. Norway rats’ habit of tunneling under foundations can potentially cause structural damage to the home, causing thousands of repair dollars. Fortunately, homeowners have options in identifying and controlling the problem, as well as preventing future rat infestations in cellars.
Home Sweet Home
Cellars make the perfect spot for rats to take up residence; they are dark, human activity is usually minimal, the area is generally …show more content…
One pair of rats can introduce up to 84 new additions to the rat population yearly, so imagine how many new rats can invade the cellar once the offspring start breeding, which happens around the age of eight weeks. If left unchecked, it’s possible for the rats in the cellar infestation to explode in no time at all.
Signs of Cellar Rats
Signs of rats in the cellar may be easy to identify especially if you hear the scurrying of tiny feet when you enter the cellar or you might even catch a glimpse of one as you turn on the light. Rats have been living side-by-side with humans for thousands of years, and though they have become accustom to our habits, they don’t prefer showing themselves unless the population is sick and food sources are low. You may have to do some detective work to identify they’ve taken up residence in the cellar. Indications of a rat infestation are:
• Signs of rat droppings that are approximately 3/4-inches in length.
• Musty smells and urine odor.
• Brownish, greasy rub marks from the rat’s fur on walls, boxes or other items, indicating a rat …show more content…
Regardless of the many rat-control products on the market that will exterminate the rodent problem, snap-traps are still the most effective. Poisoned baits have the potential for children or pets to make contact with them, thus becoming potential safety hazards. You also run the chance of the rat hiding somewhere to die and then you have to contend with the smell of decaying flesh while you search out the body. Since rats can be wary of new items introduced into the environment, placing unbaited traps in the area for several days before baiting allows the rat to become accustom to the trap.
1. Bait the snap-trap with a product such as peanut butter or bacon and then set the trap.
2. Place the trap in areas with noticeable rat activity such as against walls, boxes or near nest-sites.
3. Use multiple traps set approximately 10-feet apart, if the infestation is severe.
4. Check the traps for dead rats or removed bait daily. Reset triggered traps with bait and if a rat is trapped, use gloved hands to dispose of the rodent. Place the dead rat in the trash or bury it outdoors deep into the
The last thing any homeowner wants to discover is that they have rats in the cellar (basement), especially since the rodents are harbingers of disease. They also cause safety hazards due to their natural gnawing instinct and can chew through electrical wires, which can result in the house catching on fire. Norway rats’ habit of tunneling under foundations can potentially cause structural damage to the home, causing thousands of repair dollars. Fortunately, homeowners have options in identifying and controlling the problem, as well as preventing future rat infestations in cellars.
Home Sweet Home
Cellars make the perfect spot for rats to take up residence; they are dark, human activity is usually minimal, the area is generally …show more content…
One pair of rats can introduce up to 84 new additions to the rat population yearly, so imagine how many new rats can invade the cellar once the offspring start breeding, which happens around the age of eight weeks. If left unchecked, it’s possible for the rats in the cellar infestation to explode in no time at all.
Signs of Cellar Rats
Signs of rats in the cellar may be easy to identify especially if you hear the scurrying of tiny feet when you enter the cellar or you might even catch a glimpse of one as you turn on the light. Rats have been living side-by-side with humans for thousands of years, and though they have become accustom to our habits, they don’t prefer showing themselves unless the population is sick and food sources are low. You may have to do some detective work to identify they’ve taken up residence in the cellar. Indications of a rat infestation are:
• Signs of rat droppings that are approximately 3/4-inches in length.
• Musty smells and urine odor.
• Brownish, greasy rub marks from the rat’s fur on walls, boxes or other items, indicating a rat …show more content…
Regardless of the many rat-control products on the market that will exterminate the rodent problem, snap-traps are still the most effective. Poisoned baits have the potential for children or pets to make contact with them, thus becoming potential safety hazards. You also run the chance of the rat hiding somewhere to die and then you have to contend with the smell of decaying flesh while you search out the body. Since rats can be wary of new items introduced into the environment, placing unbaited traps in the area for several days before baiting allows the rat to become accustom to the trap.
1. Bait the snap-trap with a product such as peanut butter or bacon and then set the trap.
2. Place the trap in areas with noticeable rat activity such as against walls, boxes or near nest-sites.
3. Use multiple traps set approximately 10-feet apart, if the infestation is severe.
4. Check the traps for dead rats or removed bait daily. Reset triggered traps with bait and if a rat is trapped, use gloved hands to dispose of the rodent. Place the dead rat in the trash or bury it outdoors deep into the