TLDR;
This video documents Twin Home Experts tackling two severe rat infestations. The first case involves a garage overrun with roof rats, which they address by sealing entry points, removing food sources, and deploying their specialized rat traps. The second case focuses on sewer rats entering a home through a broken sewer pipe, where they cap the pipe, conduct smoke tests to identify other breaches, and install a rat blocker. The video highlights the importance of professional intervention, proper sealing techniques, and effective trapping methods for successful rat extermination.
- Sealing entry points is crucial for effective rat control.
- Removing food sources is essential to prevent re-infestation.
- Professional-grade traps are more effective than over-the-counter solutions.
- Identifying and addressing sewer breaches is vital for preventing sewer rat infestations.
Garage Rat Infestation [0:00]
The Twin Home Experts are called to a home with a severe rat infestation in the garage and attic. The homeowners had been battling the rats unsuccessfully with glue boards and snap traps. The rats were observed running along the garage rafters and even nesting in the couch. The team identifies multiple entry points, including a small hole in the garage and openings in the roof.
Inspection and Sealing [2:18]
The team conducts a thorough inspection, finding rat droppings and identifying runways. They use a sewer smoke test to confirm that the rats are roof rats and not from the city sewer system. The team then begins sealing the entry points with stainless steel wire mesh and concrete, ensuring there are no gaps for the rats to re-enter.
Setting Up Traps [8:58]
The homeowners remove all food sources from the garage as instructed. The team sets up their ultimate multi-catch rat trap machine, the "rat back," baited with chunky peanut butter and twinzyme-infused water. They also place a twin trap to monitor rat activity and compare trapping methods. The placement of the rat back is strategic, located near the couch where the rats are known to run.
48-Hour Check and Results [13:28]
After 48 hours, the team returns to check the traps. The twin trap had caught multiple rats, but some cannibalization occurred. The rat back contained three rats. They reset the twin trap and rat back to target the remaining rat, leaving it up to viewers to guess which trap the rat will go for.
Final Rat Capture and New Infestation [15:30]
Twelve hours later, the team checks the traps again, finding that the twin trap snapped one rat and the rat back sucked in another. The team then moves on to a new case, a massive rat infestation referred by other pest control professionals. This new customer has been experiencing rat activity in her bathroom, with rats entering through a broken sewer pipe.
Sewer Rat Investigation [16:42]
The team learns that the homeowner has been experiencing rat activity for a few days, with rats scratching under the floor in the early morning. The rats are believed to be entering through a broken sewer pipe. The team plans to cap off the pipe, conduct a smoke test to identify any other breaches, and install a rat blocker to prevent future infestations.
Roof Inspection and Smoke Test [20:40]
The team inspects the roof and finds rusted-out rat caps, highlighting the importance of using durable, long-lasting materials for exclusion work. They inject smoke into the sewer system to identify any other entry points. The smoke test reveals that the wax seal may be the source of the leak.
Repair and Trap Selection [23:12]
The team repairs the broken pipe and prepares to install a rat blocker. They discover that the homeowner's plumbing is 3 inches in diameter, while their standard rat blocker is designed for 4-inch pipes. They decide to use the twin trap to catch any remaining rats under the crawl space. They ask the homeowner which trap she would prefer, and she chooses the twin trap for its substantial appearance.
Final Capture and Conclusion [27:28]
Twenty-four hours later, the team checks the twin trap and finds it has successfully caught the remaining rat with a head shot. The team celebrates another successful rat extermination, emphasizing the effectiveness of their traps and methods.
