Did a rat do this?
#1
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Did a rat do this?
My kitchen sink drain pipe. Bits of rubber scattered all over the place.
https://youtu.be/okzqQvrXdMY
https://youtu.be/okzqQvrXdMY
Last edited by PJmax; 07-15-16 at 10:57 PM. Reason: added pic from link
#3
Rats generally just sharpen their teeth on the hard rubber, and as Mark says, not only will the remnants of the rubber be on the bottom of the cabinet, there will also be droppings.
#4
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Could be a rat thought there should be droppings in the area and maybe a musty smell from the urine. Large squirrels could do this even quicker than a rat. Here in the northeast US grey squirrels typically do this too. Ground hogs would easily do this too if they had access to under sink. Whatever access this animal used should be easy to detect unlike a mouse hole.
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Initially on opening the cabinet door I saw the floor flooded with drainage water with black bits floating in the water. I first thought these bits were rat droppings but on seeing the rubber pipe realized that it was bits of rubber. So whatever ate through the pipe did not swallow the pieces of rubber but distributed them throughout the cabinet shelf.
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I have no more problems with rats in my kitchen cupboard but I have just seen a rat climbing through an air vent in the kitchen having eating at the plastic cover of my bread bin. The air vent has been eaten away to create an opening big enough to allow access to the kitchen from the cavity wall where they are obviously living. What a pain!!
#9
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You need to figure out how and where the re-infestation is coming from. Are there pet feeding dishes, dog houses, animal pens, etc in the neighborhood? Those are big culprits.
Have you considered purchasing exterior bait stations and keeping the baited with fresh rodenticide? Placed in the exterior perimeter of your house, inside sheds, etc.
Set multiple rat traps indoors in various locations. Basement, attic, ceilings, under sink, utility areas, etc.
I’m convinced that a larger rat problem exists near you and you are getting the over flow of population.
Have you considered purchasing exterior bait stations and keeping the baited with fresh rodenticide? Placed in the exterior perimeter of your house, inside sheds, etc.
Set multiple rat traps indoors in various locations. Basement, attic, ceilings, under sink, utility areas, etc.
I’m convinced that a larger rat problem exists near you and you are getting the over flow of population.
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It seems like I need to buy a number of outdoor traps. I do have two ducks that roam freely
around the yard. I am reluctant to place bait inside the cavity wall where decaying rats will
be the result.
around the yard. I am reluctant to place bait inside the cavity wall where decaying rats will
be the result.
#11
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As PA said, traps and more traps. From my undesirable experience they are very clever and very patient. They also are often nesting in pairs which will (may have already) result in little ones. Secure your traps with a heavy cord so they don't drag it off and find some outside places that are safe from the ducks. The food for the ducks may also be contributing to the problem.
Good luck.
Bud
Good luck.
Bud