Rat Proofing 101

It is not uncommon in San Diego for homeowners, as they are enjoying a balmy twilight on their patio, to see the shadows of furry creatures skittering along fence lines. Trouble in paradise! Rodents are out there, living perhaps in your neighbor's bougainvillea or in the canyon behind your house. With colder nights coming soon, now is the time to secure your house against these critters. 

Roof Rats are the most common home invader in San Diego. They are excellent climbers, often living above ground in trees or in dense ground cover, like ivy. If you see rat droppings around pet dishes or hear noises in the attic at night, chances are good these are evidence of roof rats. The first element of successful rat management is sanitation. Check to be sure lids fit tightly on garbage cans, and if you feed your pet outdoors leave only as much food as the pet will eat at a feeding. Better yet, feed them indoors. To rodent proof your home, check all vents - attic, sub floor, clothes dryer, and rooftop plumbing vents, to be sure they are properly and securely screened. Seal any openings around pipes or cables that go into the house. Cover the chimney with a spark arrester. Repair or replace weather stripping on exterior doors, including garage doors. Check window screens to assure they are in good condition. Trim tree branches and vines away from the house. Since rats are such agile climbers, they often enter attics by climbing trees next to the house. If you have fruit trees, pick the fruit as it ripens - do not let it fall to the ground, where it becomes an attractive nuisance. 

The Vector Control Program here in San Diego County will do a free inspection of the outside of your home upon request. If you have seen evidence of rats on the property, call them at 858-694-2888 or send an email request to vector@sdcounty.ca.gov. They also offer a "Rat Control Starter Kit," which contains a bait station, some rat traps, sample hardware cloth, a DVD and a brochure. Visit their site here  to find out more. Vector Control is quick to point out they are not a pest control service - so if you need professional help beyond what they can give you, call us here at Centurion.

Although many of the exclusion methods outlined here apply equally to mice, these smaller rodents can squeeze through even tinier openings, often fitting through a hole the size of the diameter of a pencil! So even more care is required in mouse proofing your environment. We'll discuss control of the very common house mouse in tomorrow's blog.