I have noticed in the past that Active Rain members seem to have a strong interest in vermin -- more so rats than mice. Whenever I post any information about rats, it seems to get more clicks than my average blog post about less "sexy" topics. An example of that would be this post from earlier in the week. I think that this phenomenon might be like watching horror movies and hearing about serial killers. The topics are fascinating but there is a creepiness factor too. The truth about rats, at least around here in Bellingham and Whatcom County, is that I see signs of them on AT LEAST 50% of the inspections that I perform. I often find them in expensive waterfront homes -- properties priced at over $1 million. Rats are equal opportunity rodents. Some of the common places to find rat droppings would be in the crawl space, basements, under sinks or on top of the water heater. These are places people do not look, so the signs of rats are as likely to be missed in that $1 million dollar crawl space as in that low-end crawl space. Other than their droppings, rodents leave other signs -- seeds in the crawl space, torn insulation, insulation pulled down, plastic on flex heat ducts shredded. All those items are clues of rodent activity. People ask if we inspectors are not afraid of the rats that are onsite. Even though I have heard mice in walls while I was working, I have yet to run into a live rat. When we find them, and it does happen, they usually look like this one. So, the bottom line is this: It is not great to find rats onsite but rats are not usually intimidating in anyway....just gross. And, it is my suggestion that nobody, no matter where you live, should look down on another person if rats are found on his or her property. It is not necessarily a sign of low class to have rats, they might be lounging in your snazzy house too -- you just do not know about it YET! Obviously leaving food, garbage and bird seed laying around attracts them, but not everybody living with rats is a slob. Please remember that! Steven L. Smith Bellingham WA Home Inspections 
Rats Are Equal Opportunity Rodents
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27 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • June 28 2009 12:05PMComments
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Lovely picture. We had a rat for about 3 months off and on as my wife and daughter would not let me kill the fella. When the rat snake showed up on our back porch, their attitude changed very quickly.....
Rats, I thought I would be able to trash another rodent on this post.
Nutsy, I think you better check out the motives of your boss. He keeps posting pics of dead rodents. Don't say I didn't warn you.
I just returned from meeting two of my granddaughters at the park where we saw two teeny tiny desert ground squirrels. I asked them if they've heard of you but they only hung their heads in shame and pretended not to know you.
Judging you a rodent, Kate
Mrs Kate,
I have many cousins. I know know that your sister is Cruella Deville. The boss and I figured that out tracking your family tree online.
Nutsy W, slayer of rats
Quick Boys! Push him over the edge into the water. Come to think of it, he already IS over the edge. Kate
Rats are a real problem with homes. Almost everything that will eliminate them is not sold anymore.
Thank you so much for your open mind and your support. I tip my hat to your willingness to accept me even though I am a squirrel.
Nutsy
Is he babbling to himself now? Whose open mind? Whose support? Who is accepting him? I told you he was over the edge. CG Kate
Mrs Kate,
I think I know the source of your attitude toward me. Someone told me you are related to Cruella Deville? Is that true?
Nutsy
Nutsy, I'm off to the gym. I go every day. Maybe you should try it. It might improve your attitude. Kate
Nutsy, Looking good man! That is quite the zoot suit.
So---
Slobs live with rats.
Rats are everywhere.
We are all slobs.
Logically, love, Aristotle
Jay,
I think you got it about right.
Mrs Kate,
Who is this Jim you are off with? Is he as good looking as me?
Nutsy
Ms Barbara, Will you please sit him down or step on top of him, it does not matter, but either way teach him to read and spell.
Nutsy, as I asked you yesterday, does "a bear of very little brain" set off any bells in your head, assuming grey matter resides between your ears eyes? (hint: AA Milne) Kate
Rats are opportunists. They find something they like about your house, they're moving in. Kind of like the in-laws showing up announced and staying, and staying, and.......
Mr James,
You are so correct on that. I am in charge of making them unwelcome. I just boot them out.
Nutsy
Mrs Kate,
I thought that we already established that I smell just fine. As for which Jim you are romantically involved with, seems to me that are being very coy on that.
Nutsy
"Mr James, You are so correct on that. I am in charge of making them unwelcome. I just boot them out. Nutsy"
And yet YOU are still here... Kate
Mrs Kate,
You do not understand. I boot out the rodents.
Nutsy
Getting back to the point of the post...
Steve, you are so right, rats and other vermin are not bias. They will invade anyone's home. Yuck!!
Hi Nutsy!
Nutsy, But it is you who is without understanding. YOU ARE the rodent. Have a nice Monday anyway. Kate
Kate, you are fighting a losing battle trying to convince Nutsy that he is nothing more than a bushy tailed rat.
Mr Charles is wise.
It is one thing to attempt to convince the unlearned. Quite another to merely set the record straight. Kate