What the heck is in my roof?

[Hans Tucker]

Anyone that has had Possums and Rats in their roof space could tell me if the noises they make are distinct. On Wednesday I called in a Pest Controller to inspect the roof cavity after a few nights hearing scratching above the ceiling. His assessment was that there was indication of rodent activity so he placed baits throughout the roof and said that after 3 days the scratching should stop. Well last night was the 3 day mark and it seems what ever is up there is not stopping.

Should I just be patient or is there something more sinister lurking around. How long do baits really take to work.

[mithrandir]

Hans, it can depend on which baits they use and how they distribute them. Which baits they can use varies from state to state so NSW suggestions might not be appropriate for Vic.

The last time the exterminators were here, as well as baits in the roof we had them put more behind the bushes around the property boundaries. These go in pet proof holders so the dog can't get into them. Rats use the fences as cover when they are scuttling around. A couple of days later we found one dead rat outside.

We also found the hole where the possum was getting in and blocked it during the day while it was outside.

No creature noises in the roof for months.

[Barrykgerdes]

100 years + ago the expression for someone of suspect mentality was to infer that they had "Rats in their garret" or "Bats in the Belfry" or "Fish bones in their socks". I hope these don't apply.:lol:

Barry

[wasyoungonce]

Hans...it's Rats. A bit of a RAT population explosion in Melb ATM. Must be rain, more feed available or....an act of a vengeful god!

We baited rats in the roof...they took this and went off to die but lately they won't take baits....appears they know the end result.

So I rubbed the bait in some fat from the BBQ...yum yum...they took this...and promptly died in the roof!:mad2:

After about 1 week the stench was ...rich. Had to pull roof tiles to retrieve the carcass. Obviously we didn't find one as a few days later we had a plague of young flies in out house...and I mean a plague of biblical proportions.:sadeyes:

That was a few weeks ago...now I see there is a new family of Rats on the fence line.....anyone got a spare cat!:lol:

[Chif]

If it was possums you'd probably know about it. They are verrry loud. As well as hearing their claws you'd probably be hearing some growling, hissing and other noises that you wouldn't think a possum would make haha.

Good luck with whatever it is!

[Baddad]

Hi Hans,

I made a living out of removing rats, birds and possums from roof cavities for 17 years.

There are many half informed pest controllers in the industry. Many a time it has happened that a pest control tech has identified rats present in the roof cavity. But failed to recognise that a possum was also present.

Possums sleep in the roof during daylight. They exit during the 1-2 hours after sunset. They generally are quiet on exit and do not re-enter until 1-2 hours before sunrise.
On re-entry they are quite noisy stomping on the ceiling.
I assume the above behaviour is attributable to them suspecting there is something outside waiting to eat them and therefore are quietly cautious. However on return, they know its safe and throw caution to the wind.

When a possum is inadvertantly baited it will die in the roof cavity. It smells for many months. I have removed many and it is not pleasant but customers are happy to pay big fees.

Possums are rarely noisy in the roof between aprox 9 PM and 3 AM. Except when an intruder possum enters. Then there is much deep guteral growling and screeching, the fur flies and its quite scary to the uninitiated.

Rats on the other hand are very different. The levels and frequency of noises rely heavily on how many are present.

little fast pitter patters, sometimes a squeek or two. It may start as early as 4 PM but usually 7 or 8 PM. It goes on throughout the night.

Rats have a pecking order. Tail end Charlie brings in a tasty morsel. King rat may chase it and take it. Thus the pitter patter and squeeks.

To get rid of rats alone is very easy. Talon pellets, two packets that contain four sub-packets. Total cost at Coles $15. After opening the sub-packet just enough to get a knife in, wipe a smear of peanut paste on the inside of each sub-packet. Its only for the smell, you're not feeding them. Throw the sub-packets into the ceiling void.

Wait 7 days and they will be gone.
3 days is not long enough. Your pest controller may be a newbie. Rats (rattus rattus or Roof Rat, Black Rat etc) are very timid and suspicious. In fact neophobic. scared of new things. It may take a few days for rats to become familiar enough with the baits before they eat. 3-4 days after that and they are for the big high jump. Again it is dependant on the rat population size and competition for food. If competition is fierce, they will dine soon after the baits are placed. Otherwise after a few days.

Rats are also a communal animal. A sick rat usually leaves the ceiling. To die away from the colony's home. There are exceptions and before you have a treatment done you must establish the pest controller's policy on, "Do they return to remove any smelly dead rats if it happens." (Which is seldom anyway)
Most say NO.

Hope this helps
Cheers

[Hans Tucker]

Thanks all, there is some very helpful information here to help me understand my pest problem, which I am sure is now only rat/s. I will give the baits a few more days, as I am wrting this ratty has thumped around on the ceiling above me..doesn't sound like his/her usual little fast pitter patter and frequent scratching...more of a dull thump this time....could ratty be sick?

[gbeal]

While not having quite the same proportions, I have always held the belief that rat baits need to be "anchored". If the bait is able to be carried off, they will do so, to store it for winter. Most baits we have here have a hole through the middle, to allow it to be "secured". The rats then chew at it, and die as a result. We have bait stations outside, and normally they get hit as the weather cools off prior to winter.
Oz could be quite different though.
Gary

[Baddad]

They can't go carrying pellets away Gary. The pellets make their mouths salivate and it breaks down the pellet into pasty mush.

Wax blocks need to be anchored and I found from experience are not nearly as effective as the cheapest product, Talon pellets. Talon is available quite readily to the public.

I have done comparisons often, to find the best products. Occasionally I would place three or four bait piles or blocks or liquid in the ceiling. Results speak for themselves when all of one bait is gone and others have been only sampled.
Anything with peanut paste was first to go. Wax blocks worked but not all rats fed on them. They do melt in hot ceilings and are actually designed for wet areas. As Gary mentions they do need to be anchored or have a large wire loop through them.

Cheers

[Baddad]

Hi Hans,

Once you have had a rat infestation there is good reason it will happen again.
The main reason that rats appear is for a food source.
Do not leave dog food out at night. Nut trees in your yard or neighbour's is a rat magnet. Neighbour leaving dog food out will cause you to have rats as well.
The worst is a chook coop.

To prevent a repeat infestation, baits need to be placed in the yard. At Bunnings they sell plastic bait safety stations. Only one is needed.
Place only a small amount of bait in it. When it eventually disappears, panic. Oops, no. Add more bait. A little each time. It will stop being consumed as dead rats don't eat.

Make sure that a dog or possum can not upset the station. It can be secured by screwing it to a large timber plank or similar. Out of the rain.
This works very well I have installed hundreds in my time.
The reason for only a small amount of bait is twofold. Safety and less wastage. Bait goes off after a few months in the open. Safety: A dog has a good chance of surviving if it has consumed only a small amount.

1% by body weight is highly dangerous to a dog. 20gms consumed by a 5 Kg dog will make it sick, but stands a good chance of survival.

That now takes care of the safety aspects and of preventative measures of reinfestation. Except fussy rats. Change baits for them and add very small amounts of peanut paste or crushed nuts.

Cheers

[wasyoungonce]

Thanks Marty...our neighbours have a chook coop...I see the rats at night along the fence line. Time to defend the Bastion with heavy fortifications!

[Baddad]

Hi Brendan,

You are quite welcome. You'll find its not easy with a chook coop. But it can be done.

Cheers