Question: What happens when a rat dies in the walls or under the house.
Does it smell? Would it better to catch the stupid thing and kill it?
ANSWER Yes, it will smell--for a long time.
The best control for rats indoors is to use snap traps, but use a lot of them-the theory of one rat one trap rarely works! Lots of traps will ensure that you get them, and quickly. Rats do not trust new things, so either be prepared to be patient or make the traps irresistible. Bait the traps with small amount of food and tie it on securely. Rat traps are very strong, so be careful when you set them.
Put the traps in runways where the rats have been active. Be sure they are out of the reach of children and pets. It may be necessary to re-set or re-position the traps several times until all the rats are caught.
Baits may be effective, but oftentimes the rat dies behind the wall and there is a lingering odor for several weeks.
The best control program for rats is prevention; preventing their access to buildings is less expensive and easier than try to get rid of them once they have arrived. Rats can follow utility lines or tree branches to get onto the roof, and they can climb up downspouts. Once on the roof they can enter the attic through vents. They can move from room to room and apartment to apartment in the attic by following pipes. All potential access points for rats should be inspected and sealed. They can get through a hole as small as a quarter (25 cents), so look at every opening.
