Rat-proofing a brownstone

Our building has a persistent problem with rats.  They generally seem to enter the building around the basement windows, which — not coincidentally — are in the same area as the building’s garbage cans.  We’ve done things like install poison bait stations in the garbage area and store full garbage bags in extra cans in the basement until trash pickup day, but what we really need is a good contractor to take a look at the whole facade and identify all the entry points.  Can anyone recommend a contractor of this kind?  We’ve already tried with our exterminator (MetroPest) and they were not helpful. One thing we’ve considered are those mesh metal grates to put over the windows.  Do they work?  Are they a fire hazard (our boiler is in the basement)? Thanks for any and all thoughts!

bergenstreetgirl

in Pest Control 13 years and 5 months ago

2

Please log in, in order to post replies!

2 replies

Newest Oldest

callalily | 13 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4933 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4910 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "56059"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "callalily"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "callalily"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(26) "moparbrownstoner@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(20) "/forums/users/mopar/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:38:12"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "callalily"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(56059)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Ed from Empire will ID the entry points and you can block up the holes yourself with mesh and concrete or his contractor Shamine will do it for you. As for rats coming in through windows, do you mean the windows are open?

bergenbabe | 13 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4932 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4931 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "2969"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "bergenbabe"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "olddutch"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "gwestenberg1@nyc.rr.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(25) "/forums/users/bergenbabe/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:42:09"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "olddutch"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(2969)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Call Ed from Empire Pest Control (718) 237-0989 he knows more about insects and rodents than you really care to know