Rats, Mice, Roaches, etc. (Pre-Emptive Strategy)

Looking for advice on how to mitigate what I can only assume will be a biblical-style plague of creepy-crawlies. The building next to ours (50×100) will be taken down later this summer to make way for fancy condos. I know that any construction will unearth some critters, but this may be extra-rough as the ground floor/basement has been a deli for the last 30 years… Any ideas for major and/or minor steps we can take before the demolition to make our place uninviting for pests would be greatly appreciated. With enough pre-planning my hope is that all varmints will take the path of least resistance and choose to infest some of the new kids on the block! FYI we’ve been lucky – since 1963 – with only some infrequent waterbugs down in our basement and mice every few years that were easily done-in with peanut butter traps. I’ve got a bad feeling about this summer and look forward to hearing some solutions from the creative and knowledgable Brownstoner community. Thanks!

gooberfish

in Pest Control 11 years ago

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christinerudolph | 10 years and 8 months ago

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Pests are the [major problem faced by homeowners](http://www.bcpestcontrol.com/major-problems-faced-by-homeowners-in-2013.php “Major Problems Faced by Homeowners”). There are few measures you can take to prevent them. Like, check all the fixes, keep your place clean but if this problem increases then you have to hire a pest control service to exterminate them.

Townie | 11 years ago

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Extermination is part of the demolition check list that must be performed. They will set up poison bate stations prior to demo. Still the rats got to go somewhere. When they demoed the bakery next door we got rats in our garden. Between poison and neighborhood cats they didn’t stick around for long.

dorkofwindsor | 11 years ago

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i’d: 1 ask new owner / demolisher to bomb the crap out of the place with foggers, or whatever you can get your hands on. Maybe even hire a pro to bomb every floor + basement and whatever treatment they think is appropriate. 2\. Diatomaceous earth perimeter on every floor of your house that abuts the building to be demolished, backyard, etc. Go completely nuts.

Arkady | 11 years ago

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Some easy prevention: Plug all pipe holes w/ steel wool, sprinkle boric acid & used coffee grounds around the foundation walls in the basement. Put screens on any windows you leave open. Clear plant life near any walls in front area & garden. Don’t leave even small puddles of standing water.