RATS!!!!!! Please help

[drmcgahey]

Hi....Really hoping someone can help. :mad:

I don't have much technical knowledge but will do my best to provide details of my problem.

My home was built in 1977. Split level. The basement is finished but there is an area under the front of the house (under my front room) that isn't. Not sure if this is technically a crawl space, but it is under my front room. Access is under the stairs/front entry and the area is approx 15 x 15'.

Obviously, there is a foundation surrounding this area (concrete walls approx. 2-3', but the central part of this area simply has a dirt floor. The floor of the front room is about 5' up (5' ceiling for crawl).

I live in the Pacific NW and lately we have had rats burrowing up from under the foundation....and they surface in this crawl space and have a direct line into the walls in the garage and basement. They are driving me crazy and making for unsettling sleep. Not to mention the rats here are 6-8" long without the tail. :(

My solution is to have concrete pumped into this crawl space as a way to keep them from burrowing up. All the rat control in the world won't help until their access is cut off. Wondering if Basement Systems can help control big rats with bigger teeth? Is concrete a better solution?

Just wondering if I can do that....simply pour concrete in this area directly up to the foundation. Are there any special considerations? All of the plumbing runs along the back half of the house. House is on septic.

Thanks so much for your help!!!

Keith

[chumpchange]

From the sound of it, you would have to pour a massive amount of concrete into the space to seal it, and because it is difficult to access, you could not ensure that you filled all the corners.

I would call several pest control companies and get a handful of ideas, and execute the ones that sound best. You may end up installing cement board under your day room to keep the rats from gnawing through. Poison bait stations, periodically renewed, may also be necessary. Also, be sure that you don't leave dog food or bird seed, etc laying around in bags, as that is a huge draw for rats.

[Crawl Space MD]

Hi,
Rats in the crawl space. Well, we have many solutions for crawl space repair, including drainage, sump pumps and dehumidifiers, but rats, that is a problem for an exterminator. We do have many pest control operators that install our products, but you need to have one come out to your house quickly.
Crawl Space MD