Question from Mary Marston
The woman who cooks for me told me today that she has trapped two mice and one rat in her apartment. She has complained to the owner but nothing has been done. She has a two-year old daughter and is concerned that a rat could bite her.
The manager of my apartment complex here told her to call the city (San Diego.) Obviously, one option is to move, but that would take time and money, and would involve breaking a lease. In terms of expecting the owner to do something, I am wondering what the owner could do, and is there anything non-toxic that could be done. We discussed checking for holes where the rat could have entered. Trapping may get rid of any rats that get in but would not prevent them from entering the apartment in the first place.
The subject of fumigation came up. I advised her of the danger of that, and I don’t see how that would keep the rats out anyway, at least not for long. Can you or your readers shed any light on this?
Debra’s Answer
Readers, any suggestions?
