Yes, Rats!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No, I'm not talking about the two legged ones that might be loose here in the Village!!!
No, this is not just an exclamation of frustration.
I'm talking about the fuzzy, furry rodents with the long tail. Sometimes also know within the Village as attic rats.
Yes, they are here and apparently prevalent.
In the area where I live I have personal knowledge of at least five associations that have been inspected and four of them found evidence of or actual rats in residence.
They seem to especially like units that are empty and have been for a long period of time. In one unit that had been empty for about two years with no inspection process in place the rodents had made themselves and their extended family a home in the mattress and box spring.
What a mess. In this case the toilets had not been sealed and the water was turned off. The fixtures were all dried out and provided perfect passage from the sewer to the apartment.
In another unit holes had been gnawed to get into the unit from the walls. In both cases droppings were prevalent and rodents were caught in the traps that were set.
I'd like to suggest that Associations contact an exterminating company and get a price for an inspection. Hopefully you will get an all clear but if not it is better to attack the problem early rather than later.
When getting an estimate be sure to read and understand the process that is to be used if the creatures are found.
In my opinion, the rodents should be trapped and removed . Some estimates have suggested just putting out poison and killing the population. Don't forget--a dead rat stinks very, very badly. You will not be happy!
Also, rats have fleas and fleas do not remain with a dead rodent. You do not want to deal with an attic infested with fleas!
My suggestion is to investigate and inspect, get estimates if needed and do it sooner rather than later.
Any questions just call me at 683-4663 (home) or at UCO 683-9189.
Monday, March 16, 2009
RATS
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3 comments:
1. How do you seal a waterless toilet against rats? Some kind of metal lid?
2. Who do you call for the health dept to look at a neglected empty unit? Water and electric off.
TIA
I believe that a unit at Coventry A was empty for a period of 3 yrs without over sight.
Perhaps filling the toilet drain with alcohol or anti-freeze would be enough of a deterent.
In our association one person has a key at their disposal. We enter a unit if it is vacant over a period time for inspection with two board members.
You may have to put the right to enter and obtain a key in your association by-laws.
We used CRITTER CONTROL...they sealed all exposed entry pipes that lead into the building and then into the roof. They capped off all sewer vents on the roof, they replaced the soffet screening that vent the roof, they put traps in all attics and carefully monitored them for 2-weeks. I liked the job they did so much that I had them replace all the soffets completely around the 3-buidings, and as a final measure, had bait boxes put around the perimeter of the buildings to be replaced for 1-year. I did this because I was fearful that other condo associations would not go the distance to ensure that they fixed the problem...and we don't want them back. They would not guarantee the job unless we signed the contract to do what was necessary...which we did. I took the job further to ensure that I covered all our exposure. The 30 additional soffits and bait boxes were extra, but I'm confident I did the correct thing to halt further invasions. Additionally, we posted a notice that someone would assist the unit owners to determine if any holes in their walls were filled to corect entrance way. So far...so good. We remain guarded in order to stay completely on top of this serious problem.
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