Anyone ever had rodent exclusion service done ?

[Quagmire 2147]

Heard some rats in my attic , set traps and killed 6 so far . For the last few weeks they stopped hitting the traps . I can still occasionally hear some activity .

 

Called a rodent company out , they quoted me 4400 for exclusion work , trapping , sanitation .

 

I have a 2 story 3300 sq foot home , they put metal flashing in all the possible entry points and seal any gaps in the exterior . Majority of the cost is that work.

 

Thought the price was high so got another quote , they came in at 8100 bucks for doing the same thing.

 

 

Anyone ever had this done before ?

[Gil Bang 25907]

3 hours ago, Quagmire said:

 

Heard some rats in my attic , set traps and killed 6 so far . For the last few weeks they stopped hitting the traps . I can still occasionally hear some activity .

 

Called a rodent company out , they quoted me 4400 for exclusion work , trapping , sanitation .

 

I have a 2 story 3300 sq foot home , they put metal flashing in all the possible entry points and seal any gaps in the exterior . Majority of the cost is that work.

 

Thought the price was high so got another quote , they came in at 8100 bucks for doing the same thing.

 

 

Anyone ever had this done before ?

 

I find the bolded part surprising.  I would expect insulation replacement and cleanup to be the biggest chunk.  Sealing gaps is easy. 

[Hook1997 5351]

I just ordered some Tomcat and Just one Bite bait.  I live in hundred year old house, it’s been redone of course but it’s still old.  Walked in the kitchen a couple night ago to get water and a rat the size of a small dog was starting back at me and ran off..  Moving has crossed my mind also.  

[HOOKEM4 5036]

I have a cat that is yelling at me to feed him for the 17th time today if you want me to drop him off. He kills every thing that moves outside and leaves it at my back door.  You can keep him.

[ROFL BOX 6647]

Not at all knowing what your house is like, the square footage means Ø for the work that needs to be done. 
 
We don't do attic trapping (you can visit Harbor Frieght for various traps & they often have some on sale, even collapsible) however flashing for soffits & cornice returns are common for us.

We have also seen issues & repaired chimneys, especially older wooden siding where there is no cricket (see pic of a cricket installation we did, flashing & masonry cut-in + completed with shingle overlay).
Another possibility is an aged or chewed through "3-in-1" pipe boot (pic #3) where the rubber gasket is compromised.
3-in-1 = fits a 1½", 2" or 3" soil stack (PVC pipe that vents your bath / sink / toilet / washer drain).  Remove the ring as needed to increase the size to fit the pipe in use.  I prefer a Lead Jack (final pic) over the 3-in-1 & use those on all of my re-roofs.
 
In conclusion, I would need to see a full estimate + know more about the house to suggest if this quote is on point or ridic.

[immamac 42832]

You need a cat. 

[randomhorn 1717]

 

burn it to the ground

[Quagmire 2147]

You need a cat. 

That thought has crossed my mind

[Quagmire 2147]

I find the bolded part surprising.  I would expect insulation replacement and cleanup to be the biggest chunk.  Sealing gaps is easy. 

Oh it would be but they don’t think mine is that bad , from what I’ve read insulation replacement is a upsell tactic and not necessary

[Deej 76748]

12 hours ago, immamac said:

You need a cat. 

Undefeated.

[Da Fino 2772]

On 10/27/2024 at 9:55 AM, Quagmire said:

 

Heard some rats in my attic , set traps and killed 6 so far . For the last few weeks they stopped hitting the traps . I can still occasionally hear some activity .

 

Called a rodent company out , they quoted me 4400 for exclusion work , trapping , sanitation .

 

I have a 2 story 3300 sq foot home , they put metal flashing in all the possible entry points and seal any gaps in the exterior . Majority of the cost is that work.

 

Thought the price was high so got another quote , they came in at 8100 bucks for doing the same thing.

 

 

Anyone ever had this done before ?

 

I had the same issue. Like you, the majority of the cost was in the metal flashing and sealing. I ended up trapping them myself and @deadshank 's guys did the metal and sealing for a fraction of the cost that the rodent company wanted. 

[Nice Guy Eddie 13506]

I've put a few Home Depot poison contraptions outside and as far as I can tell my rat problem is gone. Black box with a small opening, poison is inside. I didn't want to kill the squirrels and they didn't seem to be able to get into the traps. I also have not encountered any dead rats or dead rat smells outside.

[Classic Rock 272]

 

[Quagmire 2147]

I had the same issue. Like you, the majority of the cost was in the metal flashing and sealing. I ended up trapping them myself and [mention=680]deadshank[/mention] 's guys did the metal and sealing for a fraction of the cost that the rodent company wanted. 

Right don’t mind doing the trapping part, I would do the flashing part if I didn’t have a 2 story with a good pitch on it

[Gil Bang 25907]

the poison thing is shitty, because a hawk or owl grabs Mr. Rat, and now the bird has been poisoned. 

I only use the electric traps these days.  They're humane, and clean.  Mr. Rat goes in for a bite of peanut butter, gets tazed, and that's that. 

[Bevo 13557]

10 hours ago, Gil Bang said:

I only use the electric traps these days.  They're humane, and clean.  Mr. Rat goes in for a bite of peanut butter, gets tazed, and that's that. 

 

They are pretty fun with kids too.

[4th&Five 41506]

On 10/27/2024 at 9:55 AM, Quagmire said:

 

Heard some rats in my attic , set traps and killed 6 so far . For the last few weeks they stopped hitting the traps . I can still occasionally hear some activity .

 

Called a rodent company out , they quoted me 4400 for exclusion work , trapping , sanitation .

 

I have a 2 story 3300 sq foot home , they put metal flashing in all the possible entry points and seal any gaps in the exterior . Majority of the cost is that work.

 

Thought the price was high so got another quote , they came in at 8100 bucks for doing the same thing.

 

 

Anyone ever had this done before ?

 

Crazy how expensive this type of thing has gotten. ABC did our house 10 years ago for like $800 and that included coming every other day to empty the traps (rodents are my irrational phobia). The guy told me a story about a lady in Westlake waking up with a rat on her chest and I didn’t sleep well for a week. 

[VirginiaLonghorn 4767]

4 hours ago, Bevo said:

 

They are pretty fun with kids too.

Perfect for Trick-or-Treaters!

[Okie State 3804]

Those quotes seem insane to me. I've had rat issues at both of my houses and it sucks. Trapping them is a must to keep it from getting out of control, but you have to find where they are getting in and close it off or it's impossible. Last year I found a hole in the soffit. The fuckers literally run up the side of the house to get to it. Closed that off and the activity stopped. I'm sure they'll find a new way in this winter like always, but I'd find a roofer to do flashing before I'd pay 8 fucking grand.

Edited October 29 by Okie State

[Quagmire 2147]

Those quotes seem insane to me. I've had rat issues at both of my houses and it sucks. Trapping them is a must to keep it from getting out of control, but you have to find where they are getting in and close it off or it's impossible. Last year I found a hole in the soffit. The fuckers literally run up the side of the house to get to it. Closed that off and the activity stopped. I'm sure they'll find a new way in this winter like always, but I'd find a roofer to do flashing before I'd pay 8 fucking grand.

What did u use to close it off ? I have some expanding foam but they could chew thru that

And yes it’s nuts , 2600 of it is putting up metal flashing , I could easily do it if it wasn’t for a 2 story with steep pitch . Don’t really want to be dead

[Okie State 3804]

12 minutes ago, Quagmire said:

What did u use to close it off ? I have some expanding foam but they could chew thru that

And yes it’s nuts , 2600 of it is putting up metal flashing , I could easily do it if it wasn’t for a 2 story with steep pitch . Don’t really want to be dead

Steel wool. I've seen some people use steel wool and foam.

[Deej 76748]

On 10/28/2024 at 11:14 PM, Gil Bang said:

Mr. Rat goes in for a bite of peanut butter, gets tazed, and that's that.

That's what happened to KarenKeyLargo's dog, Norman. 

[gofuckyourself 8195]

Where you at?

I've worked with a local Austin company that would come in WAY under those estimates. They do good work.

I'm not "impartial" in that regard, but I also don't make shit if we sell more, so there's that. Our guys are very experienced/competent with the lead rodent guy with 20+ years experience. He'd done probably 500+ rodent jobs/exclusions. Customers seem happy, particularly for the savings offered.

I'll send that over if you'd like.

 

[Updawg 2266]

Is it this guy?

[gsoda3 3245]

We had to do it for our rental house in Dallas, it was $7100.  Included a one year warranty where they'll come out and fix anything that was there before but won't do work on any new cracks or holes that show up.  Highway robbery.

[gofuckyourself 8195]

59 minutes ago, Updawg said:

Is it this guy?

 

No, but in my experience most "rat guys" look eerily similar.

[Quagmire 2147]

Where you at?
I've worked with a local Austin company that would come in WAY under those estimates. They do good work.
I'm not "impartial" in that regard, but I also don't make shit if we sell more, so there's that. Our guys are very experienced/competent with the lead rodent guy with 20+ years experience. He'd done probably 500+ rodent jobs/exclusions. Customers seem happy, particularly for the savings offered.
I'll send that over if you'd like.
 

DFW area

[ROFL BOX 6647]

 I could easily do it if it wasn’t for a 2 story with steep pitch . Don’t really want to be dead

I have people up there. & @gsoda3 , you should have asked me.

[gofuckyourself 8195]

2 hours ago, Quagmire said:

DFW area

Gotcha. The crew I know is just here in Austin.

[Bevo&Pevo 5120]

If you wanna go DIY I'd recommend PB&J with some battery acid mixed in.  PB on a trap door device over a 5 gallon bucket of water.  Last a couple of cats.  Prepare yourself for rodents dying between walls and subsequent smell, after which there will be probably some smell and sheetrock repair.  Did I mention, the smell?

[Redneck Mutha 7952]

We had squirrels in our attic a year or two after we moved in (2008ish?). Called ABC and I think the initial setting of traps and sealing off was like $500, then they charged $100/yr warranty to come back and check everything. Over the years, that annual warranty fee went up to either $200 or $300 but at least we're still locked in at that. 

Can't imagine paying some of the prices you guys have been quoted. Oof.

[cabowabo 4484]

On 10/28/2024 at 11:14 PM, Gil Bang said:

They're humane, and clean.  Mr. Rat goes in for a bite of peanut butter, gets tazed, and that's that. 

Well that's a relief.  We certainly would not want to be inhumane to rats and mice.  Lulz.

[Rimbo 25908]

she's 13 and still gives us little dead squeakers

had her since she was 7

also very good at snugglin' if you're into purrs

a bit more expensive over time and less humane

Less humane for the rodents that is

recommended

Edited November 8 by Rimbo

[Rimbo 25908]

On 11/6/2024 at 3:10 PM, Bevo&Pevo said:

If you wanna go DIY I'd recommend PB&J with some battery acid mixed in.  PB on a trap door device over a 5 gallon bucket of water.  Last a couple of cats.  Prepare yourself for rodents dying between walls and subsequent smell, after which there will be probably some smell and sheetrock repair.  Did I mention, the smell?

you really just need the PB and none of the J

[Rimbo 25908]

oh we also recently acquired a newer model

[ROFL BOX 6647]

5 hours ago, Rimbo said:

oh we also recently acquired a newer model

Your X-mas ornaments are fucked.

[Rimbo 25908]

32 minutes ago, ROFL BOX said:

Your X-mas ornaments are fucked.

100%