Exterminators in the N.O. area - large rodents in the attic (1 Viewer)

[Doug B]

Anyone here ever dealt with large rodents in their attic? Haven't ever seen them, but judging by the noises they make ... they're bigger than mice. Rats, squirrels, maybe possums. Hear a lot of scratching through our ceiling as they move about. Might just be an animal or two ... hard to be sure, but we're not hearing them in every room all the time.

Anyway ... just asking to see if anyone here has dealt with this issue and how it turned out. Interested in any New Orleans-area recommendations for exterminators, as well. My wife wants me to call these guys:

Rodent Removal & Control – Mice & Rat Extermination - BugPro

BugPro offers Rodent Removal, Rodent Removal, Mice Trappings, Rodent Exlusions, pest control, bedbug inspection and bedbug treatment services in New Orleans, and more.

nolapest.net

They start at $99, which would be alright, but: I don't know if this is the kind of job that starts out cheap but then spirals out of control with a bunch of add-ons and pushy sales. Just get the animal(s) out of the attic, put some wire over the gable vent, and call it a day.

 

[Doug B]

I've seen these bright strobe light set-ups that are supposed to make squirrels leave your attic. Anyone try these out? Any idea if they'd work for rats and possums, too?

Really, any DIY solutions people have tried are of interest, as well. Kind of thinking that this is ultimately a job for a pro ... but I really don't know. Hence this thread.

EDIT: Last thing -- there have been no signs of wiring damage or anything like that. This morning, we had two mini-power outages that each lasted a second or two. Just enough to make the clocks reset. My wife made the jump to the rodents in the attic, thinking the outages were a symptom of rodent damage to wires in the ceiling. I don't know.

 

[SWJJ]

I had mice in the attic once and I would have sworn it was elephants. Only way I got them was with glue traps (I know how inhumane they are)

Good luck!

 

[superchuck500]

 

[Doug B]

I had mice in the attic once and I would have sworn it was elephants.

Yeah ... if they really are regular ol' mice, I'd be surprised at the noise they've been making. Squirrels and rats could fit in through the gable vent (slats too far apart, though no damage or missing piece visible). Possums would seem to be too big, but who knows?

 

[superchuck500]

They start at $99, which would be alright, but: I don't know if this is the kind of job that starts out cheap but then spirals out of control with a bunch of add-ons and pushy sales. Just get the animal(s) out of the attic, put some wire over the gable vent, and call it a day.

Get a cat

 

[Doug B]

Get a cat

Got three -- but they never go in the attic.

 

[efil4stnias]

Got three -- but they never go in the attic.

ummmm....they can. You just gotta put em in there.

 

[Paul]

Doug, have you laid eyes on these alleged rodents? You want to make sure they’re the ones with four legs and not two.

 

[Paul]

Doug, have you laid eyes on these alleged rodents? You want to make sure they’re the ones with four legs and not two.

I should have elaborated. I’ve heard things about homeless individuals “squatting” in people’s homes, particularly lesser used areas like attics and unfinished basements.

 

[Doug B]

Doug, have you laid eyes on these alleged rodents? You want to make sure they’re the ones with four legs and not two.

I don't think I'm smart enough to follow you here

But, no, I haven't seen them.

...

An update:

BugPro talked to me about this for a few minutes, asking for a lot of details. In the end, they said that if we're hearing activity during the day (and yes, much more active during daylight hours), they pretty positive it's specifically squirrels in our attic. Not rats or mice or raccoons, but squirrels.

So OK. BugPro refused the job because they don't do wildlife -- just rats and mice. Turns out most name exterminators are the same way. Have to find a company that specialized in wildlife removal. Called three - one was too busy, the second would call back to make an appointment, and the third is coming by in the morning.

Anyone have any idea of what this could cost? I'm 99% sure this is not going to be clearing a dozen squirrels out of the attic. If it's more than two, I'll be surprised. We don't hear them in multiple rooms at once. But then ... what the eff do I know?

 

[Doug B]

I should have elaborated. I’ve heard things about homeless individuals “squatting” in people’s homes, particularly lesser used areas like attics and unfinished basements.

Gotcha. No worries along those lines.

 

[efil4stnias]

I don't think I'm smart enough to follow you here

But, no, I haven't seen them.

...

An update:

BugPro talked to me about this for a few minutes, asking for a lot of details. In the end, they said that if we're hearing activity during the day (and yes, much more active during daylight hours), they pretty positive it's specifically squirrels in our attic. Not rats or mice or raccoons, but squirrels.

So OK. BugPro refused the job because they don't do wildlife -- just rats and mice. Turns out most name exterminators are the same way. Have to find a company that specialized in wildlife removal. Called three - one was too busy, the second would call back to make an appointment, and the third is coming by in the morning.

Anyone have any idea of what this could cost? I'm 99% sure this is not going to be clearing a dozen squirrels out of the attic. If it's more than two, I'll be surprised. We don't hear them in multiple rooms at once. But then ... what the eff do I know?

I would think it would be fairly easy to evict them. Im sure once they sense your presence in attic, they will leave, and at that point, if you know the entry, just shore it up? Unless its an inaccessible nook, its usually under an eave where soffit/facia is missing, allowing them entry.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

hoping its nutria

 

[whodatbe]

Have you gone in the attic to actually see what it could possibly be?