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1. thriftwaygirl
   Member Profile

   Does anyone know who I can call that can contact the owner of the abandoned home behind me to inform them of their rat infestation? Is there any kind of public City of Seattle Agency that resides over land owners? Not sure if anything like this exists because I rent.

   I noticed the first little guy climbing in neighboring trees several weeks back and didn\'t think much of it because I had never seen one around my place before. Now, as creatures do...that one little guy has multiplied and I don\'t feel safe letting my cat out on our balcony.

   Any ideas would be appreciated!!Thanks

   Posted 3 years ago #         

2. MikeDady
   Member Profile

   The place to call is King County Public Health - Phone: 206-296-4600

   http://www.metrokc.gov/health/env_hlth/Rats.htm

   If the vacant home is not locked up, including all the windows closed and secured, you should also contact the City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development and file a complaint to obtain compliance from the owner: http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Compliance/Filing_a_Complaint/default.asp

   Posted 3 years ago #         

3. celeste17
   Member Profile

   

   Where is this place so I know to stay away!!! Rats Yuck!

   Posted 3 years ago #         

4. thriftwaygirl
   Member Profile

   No the house is not locked up. The door to the bottom floor on the back side of the house is wide open.

   I even learned recently there were \"Squatters\" living there for about 2 months - who were the quietest squatters ever, because I had no idea they were even there until after they had gone and my neighbor told me about them...

   Thank you, thank you, thank you for the info Mike, I appreciate it!!

   Posted 3 years ago #         

5. guidosmom
   Member Profile

   

   I have a Jack Russell terrier that would pay good money for the address... I think he\'s typing this now. :)

   Posted 3 years ago #         

6. thriftwaygirl
   Member Profile

   Awesome - I would much rather have natural selection be instituted than any kind of toxin or trap!

   Posted 3 years ago #         

7. JoB
   Member Profile

   good luck with traps...

   we rent above a large wooded area.. and it is no surprise that rats moved into the sheds...

   they stay out of the backyard because shibas think they are rat terriers..

   but they call the shed by the driveway home..

   they can eat the peanut butter out of a rat trap without springing it..

   Posted 3 years ago #         

8. thriftwaygirl
   Member Profile

   I have filed a complaint with the city about the abandoned building being wide open.

   AND I think I am going to try something a little more creative about the rats. I found owl pellets on a walk the other in my \"surrogate backyard\" ie - Linclon Park.

   I have downloaded the call of a Western Screech Owl and have begun to play it at dusk. Hopefully I can attract an owl to get those lil buggers.

   Posted 3 years ago #         

9. JoB
   Member Profile

   now that\'s creative!

   Posted 3 years ago #         

10. Jiggers
    Member Profile

    

    ROTFLMFAO thriftwaygirl..

    Posted 3 years ago #         

11. thriftwaygirl
    Member Profile

    What\'s so funny? Its worth a try!!!

    ;)

    Posted 3 years ago #         

12. hammerhead
    Member Profile

    

    owls are not real common out here in the west seattle area. does anyone have cats in the general area. knowing how the city works it could take a long time to get something done. as crazy as it sounds consider getting some backyard feral cats. they do a great job of killing rats and it is a natural selection things not using poisons. if interested let me know. It does work.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

13. thriftwaygirl
    Member Profile

    You have feral cats to let loose out there?

    Posted 3 years ago #         

14. angelescrest
    Member Profile

    

    They come in pairs I was told today at the Furry Friends\' plant sale.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

15. hammerhead
    Member Profile

    

    yes they are better in pairs. it is a bit of process. they need to \"pinned\" up for about 30 days. yes you will need to change a litter box during then. then whent the time is up hopefully they will work. you will still need to feed and water them. maybe back in \"day\" they could survive on rats alone.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

16. thriftwaygirl
    Member Profile

    Update!!

    After two weeks of looking like a crazy person on my back deck playing owl calls at dusk...I think I may have some success!

    Last night I was out back and heard one of the same calls I had been playing (and no, it was not in my head).

    Rat population has decreased too! I\'m thinking my crazy scheme just may have worked - \"bwahahaha\" (that\'s my evil laugh)!!!

    Posted 3 years ago #         

17. JoB
    Member Profile

    i love it. but i think you are going to have one very disappointed owl:)

    Posted 3 years ago #         

18. thriftwaygirl
    Member Profile

    Yeah...I know, at least he\'s got something to eat!!

    Posted 3 years ago #         

19. Brent
    Member Profile

    I\'m always looking for fixer uppers. Sounds pretty bad, but I would love to take a look at it after contacting the owner. Feel free to visit my website at http://www.IBuySeattleHomes.com and send me an email with the address.
    Thank you.
    Best Wishes,
    Brent

    Posted 3 years ago #         

20. JoB
    Member Profile

    thriftwaygirl.. i would turn him on to this one.. then he can deal with the rats:)

    Posted 3 years ago #         

21. thriftwaygirl
    Member Profile

    The rat population has actually decreased quite a bit since the owl moved in - which is fabulous!

    I\'m weary about anyone trying to flip, or fix the property - the trees there are absolutely wonderful (probably close to 100 years old) and would be really sad if anything happened to them. SO although the property is an isor, its a welcome isor.

    Posted 3 years ago #         

22. changingtimes
    Member Profile

    

    ewwwwwww! talking about rats my thoughtful dog left a chewed up one on my porch this morning!!! i almost had a heart attack!!!! They are digging that new church very near by and i swear ever since they broke ground all of a sudden there has been mice and rat spotted in this once clean neighborhood!!! my home is protected by the mousenator 5000 29.99 at homedepot and i havent had an acutally sighting of anything small and furry in the house so far.....

    Posted 3 years ago #         

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