Rat in the Trash

The following is one, in a series, of funny/unique events in my day as a pest control technician for LIND PEST CONTROL

This story is about a funny thing that happened on a rodent call. The homeowners had reported noises and had been seeing droppings in their basement. When I arrived, at the home, the homeowners gave me a brief rundown and I began my inspection. I found numerous openings that would allow rodent entry into their home. Some were high, towards the roof, and some were basement/ground level. I inspected the attic and the basement. My findings were that they had rat droppings in the attic and in the basement. I set up my equipment, in those areas, and proceeded to draw up a diagram showing these entry points, as well as indicating where my equipment was. Once my inspection and diagram were completed and my equipment had been installed, all we had to do now is wait.

Rats can be pretty smart sometimes……..but we always get our rat- because we are smarter than them. Upon my first follow up, to check my equipment, I found nothing had been touched. Sometimes it takes a while when something new has been introduced to their environment. That’s okay we (technicians) know that. That is why we have multiple follow ups. However, more often than not, we catch something on the first follow up.

Well, just as I was finished checking the last trap, I heard a noise in the corner of the basement. A rat came scurrying across the basement floor and jumped up on a ledge. It spotted me and panicked and slipped, and fell, into a garbage can directly below it. I ran over and grabbed the bag out of the can and promptly, and permanently, removed it from the house.

Not exactly how it works usually, but whatever works!! We are currently working, with the homeowners, to repair the areas of rodent intrusion, and are scheduled for more follow ups to check all of our equipment.