Hey everyone!
After catching a rat dragging a slice of pizza across my kitchen floor, I declared war. My failed tactics in a California rental:
- Glue traps: Caught 2 rats but stuck to my cat’s paw ($300 vet bill)
- Mint oil spray: Rats treated it like salad dressing
- "Pet-safe" bait stations: Ignored by rats but attracted raccoons
Finally, a motion-activated zapper (220)and steel−reinforced cabinet seals (450) worked, but my landlord is suing for “unauthorized modifications.” Was it worth it?
Kitchen rats = highest health risk! Never use glue traps near food. Electric traps kill instantly but need GFCI outlets.
Rat ate my toddler’s cereal! Used bucket traps with ramps but babies drowned. Now CPS is investigating ‘unsafe conditions.’ @LegalEagle Can I sue the landlord instead?
California law: Landlords must fix infestations within 5 days. I withheld rent, got $2k back! Use certified mail demands + timestamped photos.
Silicone sealant failed in 48hrs. Mixed crushed glass + epoxy resin for chew-proof seals. Wear Kevlar gloves, this ain’t TikTok DIY!
Peppermint-soaked sponges in cabinets worked! Rats hate the tingle. But my kombucha scoby absorbed the smell. Now my brew tastes like toothpaste.
Bucket traps violate Animal Welfare Act if left unsupervised. Use locked electronic traps ($150) instead. Landlord’s liability, call code enforcement now.
Withholding rent risks eviction! File a repair-and-deduct claim first. Max $1k in CA. Document everything, even rat selfies count as evidence.
Bought a AI-powered laser grid that zaps rats mid-sprint. $600 but FDA-approved for kitchens! Works 24/7. Neighbors think I’m testing alien tech.
Tried your mint trick, rats built a nest with the sponges! Now my silverware drawer smells like a mojito. At least the babies are minty fresh?