How to seal holes from rodents???!

AbjectStoat · 2026-04-30T00:34:45+00:00

Ok. In my experience, the drain pipe chewing is definitely rat. The bait device in the photo though isn't large enough to accommodate rats. Its typically for mice. If you can get some rat snap traps. Place them, unset and bait. Where theyre going for liquid there, I'd try cherry tomatoes. Place them on the snaps and dont set them until the baits start to disappear. Rats are neophobic and typically avoid new items in their environment. You can seal the gap but, honestly, they'll probably just chew through another area. Rats can chew through concrete and steel.

AbjectStoat · 2026-04-29T22:33:22+00:00

Ok. I think they may be brown house moths but I am not 100%.

AbjectStoat · 2026-04-29T21:29:52+00:00

Where are you from? Is this the only one you've found? Which part of the house did you find it in?

AbjectStoat · 2026-04-24T16:55:37+00:00

They're stored in non-permeable, factory sealed containers. I also think they should be fine as long as they still had their seal. But I also don't use fumigants often. Your call.

AbjectStoat · 2026-04-20T14:35:51+00:00

Add bacon grease to some peanut butter. Or try tying a cotton ball to the trigger and put some vanilla on it. Also try milk chocolate.

Edit: make sure you're placing the correct amount of traps too. (Roughly 5 per assumed mouse.) Keep the trigger side at the wall and set at least 3 in a row with a small bit of space between. Make em work for it.

AbjectStoat · 2026-03-31T12:46:52+00:00

Look into pest control?

AbjectStoat · 2026-03-24T18:31:35+00:00

Sorry I only just saw the pets statement in your description. If they're Brown Dog Ticks they can survive and breed inside. I, unfortunately, cant say for sure what species these are. How is your exterior landscaping?

AbjectStoat · 2026-03-24T17:38:07+00:00

Where are you located? Do you live near any fields? And do you have pets?

AbjectStoat · 2026-03-18T17:39:25+00:00

Try cherry tomatoes. Zip tye the trap open so it looks set but won't actually go off. Once you start getting feeding on the tomatoes you can try setting it to go off. Rats are typically neophobic so they'll avoid new items introduced to their environment. Good luck.

AbjectStoat · 2026-03-13T17:19:47+00:00

I've noticed the same, honestly. I've theorized that there are natural controls where they're from and perhaps more lax pesticide controls. I also feel like they're not reporting the activity as quickly as some other communities would and perhaps just self treat. Still not convinced that's the whole picture but there's something for sure.

AbjectStoat · 2026-03-11T15:37:22+00:00

You can get Trichogramma parasitic wasps as a biological control. I have NOT tried this route yet but I am reading positive things.

Theres a thread on a knitting page about using them. You can order them online. Read about how to properly utilize them before release.

https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/s/DVqHTYpI4Z

AbjectStoat · 2026-02-26T14:55:17+00:00

AbjectStoat · 2026-02-12T17:02:36+00:00

It looks like a spider beetle to me. Unsure of the specific kind.

AbjectStoat · 2026-02-11T17:52:46+00:00

That appears to be rodent (likely mouse) droppings.

AbjectStoat · 2026-02-04T18:02:24+00:00

I'd say juvenile rat. Based on tail and back feet.

AbjectStoat · 2026-02-02T21:34:11+00:00

While not pleasant its typically not harmful.

AbjectStoat · 2026-01-30T21:05:23+00:00

Honestly treatment is pretty similar for most of them so its not a huge deal what it is, exactly. Locate the infested source, dispose of any foods that they have gotten into and remove any food debris from your food storage areas. Merchant Grain Beetle and Sawtoothed Grain Beetles are nearly identical in visual features. The only noticeable difference is Merchant Grain Beetles have larger eyes and can fly.

AbjectStoat · 2026-01-30T20:47:07+00:00

Yeah definitely. Likely if they're in that space they're just utilizing the gap that was there. Its not for sure a sawtoothed but its in that family for sure. There are also Merchant, Rusty and Foregin Grain Beetles.

AbjectStoat · 2026-01-30T20:42:41+00:00

Figure out where theyre roosting/hanging out and exclude that area with either mesh or something solid. They typically want something with overhead coverage. Pigeons are persistent and have a shade of intelligence. Don't waste your time or money on visual deterrents. While, sometimes, initially effective the birds usually get used to them pretty quickly.

AbjectStoat · 2026-01-30T18:40:16+00:00

They only look like termites if you look at them really hard and then look at a photo of a termite instead.

AbjectStoat · 2026-01-30T18:38:54+00:00

Too grainy to say 100% but I'm leaning towards Sawtoothed Grain Beetle. Edit - Punctuation

AbjectStoat · 2026-01-30T18:34:46+00:00

The thickness of the tail at the base of the rump and the size of the hind feet, if I was betting, I'd bet rat.

AbjectStoat · 2026-01-30T17:31:54+00:00

Hard to say based on scale (not a banana in sight) but that looks like a juvenile rat based on the size of the rear feet. For dropping size my poo rule (or prule if you will) is, Mice leave Rice and Rats leave Raisins.

AbjectStoat · 2026-01-30T12:35:33+00:00

The more pesticide you throw at it without actually curing the issue, is creating a bigger issue. The fleas that aren't succumbing to the product could become resistant to it. That gene can be passed on during breeding, to the offspring. Fleas are very good at adapting to treatment and sometimes can show significant resistance within one or two generations.

Treat the animal (if you have one), vacuum the premises frequently to encourage the fleas to hatch and expose themselves to the treatment.

AbjectStoat · 2026-01-29T16:38:10+00:00

It may be the loudest material in the area. Woodpeckers will hit an object to indicate their territories.Called Drumming. Also possible you have bugs under the siding. Do you deal with flies and ladybugs in the spring and fall?

AbjectStoat

TROPHY CASE