Hi everyone!
I live in coastal Florida, where humidity is 90% year-round, and rats are thriving in my crawl space and under the house! They’re chewing through wiring and leaving droppings everywhere. Traps get moldy fast here—what’s the best way to handle this?
Background:
Use stainless steel wool + marine-grade silicone for sealing, it won’t rust! Set plastic snap traps (they resist mold) baited with peanut butter. Check daily, humidity attracts rats to food faster!
Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place near entry points. Humidity amplifies the scent! Refresh weekly.
Dehumidify your crawl space! Rats avoid dry areas. Rent a commercial dehumidifier for a week, then maintain with silica gel packets. Fix leaks ASAP, they’re rat magnets!
Bucket traps with antifreeze (non-toxic propylene glycol)! Rats fall in and can’t climb out. Place under cover to avoid rain dilution. Works in damp garages!
@CoastalExterminator Where do I buy marine-grade silicone? Regular caulk peeled off in weeks!
Sprinkle cayenne + crushed bay leaves near nests! Rats hate spicy/herbal smells. Mix with diatomaceous earth to dry out their paws. Reapply after storms!
Boat supply stores. Apply during dry spells for better adhesion. Tackle gaps around pipes and AC units first!
Install owl boxes! Barn owls thrive in humid climates and hunt rats nightly. Avoid glue traps, they harm lizards and frogs common in wet areas!
Humidity speeds up breeding, females have 10+ litters/year here! Remove palm fronds and standing water. Use predator urine to scare them off!
Sealed crawl space with marine silicone + peppermint oil. Trapped 3 rats! Dehumidifier arriving tomorrow. Thanks, y’all!