All posts in “rats”

Another weird little animal from Texas

Carnivorous mice that howl likes wolves

The northern grasshopper mouse (Onychomys leucogaster) is rather squat and blocky, has a white tummy and a white tip to its short tail. They’re not fast runners but are very agile – able to twist and turn to subdue prey in their longer-and-stronger-than-average jaws.

Isn’t it great to hear and read about cool stuff like this, thank goodness they aren’t real big. But anyway that’s why I’m here, to pass along stories like these.

Twas the night before Christmas and not a creature was stirring

Oh yes they are, and we all need to be aware they are always out there and wanting into our cozy warm homes. What can you do to keep them out?

  1. Seal all holes coming into your home.
  2. Repair screens.
  3. Install door sweeps.
  4. Install garage door seals.
  5. Close flue dampers or at least check them.
  6. Pay attention to wiring around homes, rodents need to keep their teeth from growing to long.
  7. Seal weep holes and check attic often.
  8. When brining stuff down from attic, open boxes outside – prevents anything from getting loose within the house.
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Photo by Univar

 

 

Insects and other vermin consume food on the street

It turns out that millions of tiny bugs are consuming the equivalent of 60,000 hot dogs per year over a 150-block strip in Manhattan.

Just when you thought it was safe to go out into the streets of New York City – this amazing factoid “The bugs on a single NYC median can eat 14 pounds of food per year” Actually it is a good thing, if they didn’t eat all this stuff it might bring out more and possibly dangerous things like rodents.

My thoughts are just one rodent in the house is one to many. Wherever you live  there is probably a  Pest Management Professional

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Have you watched those shows where the dogs finds the Porcupine?

This story immediately reminded me of that nightmare both for the dog, the owners oh and I guess the Porcupine too. “This rodents eats with needles” So to start this debate are Woodrats related to Pack Rats and the answer is yes. Pack rats are often called woodrats, pack rats build nests or middens and can collect quite the trove of neat stuff.

 

I didn’t know this but the cactus with the spines have a  higher protein content.

Kohl and his colleagues believe that the rodent is choosing spines over an easier meal because the flesh of spiny cacti generally has a higher protein content and less fiber compared with naturally non-spiny cacti. In that sense, the woodrats are using the spines almost as a simple nutrition label.

Read more: http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/10779/20141128/rodent-eats-needles.htm#ixzz3KgU2ofxr

 

Hantavirus – caution needed…

A recent story in the news brings to light – the caution needed when doing work in crawlspaces or attic areas. If you live in the Southwest you need to be aware of hantavirus – “Adams County, CO man dies of hantavirus“.

 

Urine or feces which if dried, can be inhaled and brought into your lungs and then the symptoms  really begin – they include fever, chills, headache & severe muscle pain, especially in the lower back and legs.

 

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Photo by NPMA

Off Label – DANGEROUS

Off Label – dangerous and extremely improper method to eradicate rodents.

I now understand why the EPA wants to take away these products from consumers. Not all consumers are this reckless. I have even seen Pest Professionals do things that are not wise, spray for weeds in short pants with flip flops on. But I guess that is why they award the Darwin Awards each year for stupidity. That is also why items need warning labels such as “Don’t put your hands under mower when its running”. This is all dangerous, what if a child ran across this bait while on a walk. Bait must be securely installed within a rodent bait box, not accessible to children or pets. These packets are often throw into attic and I have seen rodents attempt to bring it out via the weep holes in the attic. I’ll also mention another pet peeve of mine, moth balls – they are not intended to be throw anywhere you want, they are poisonous to animals and children. Any pesticide can be dangerous, they all have Label directions of use and Safety Data Sheets and should be read each time you use them. Pests pose a significant risk to the public health and that is why I consider myself a Public Health Professional. Pesticides save lives everyday and should be used in accordance with the Label. Things change and pesticides are getting better at doing their intended purposes. The EPA has a very informative site for the safety of pesticides.

Please read the label, it is the law and must be followed for the safety of your community.

DANGEROUS is about all I can say! It isn’t just about yourself, it’s about the general public at large. Just think for moment before doing something. Thank you!

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Rodent Awareness Week – November 16-22, 2014

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I think all of us have seen the cartoons of “Tom & Jerry” and “Speedy Gonzales” and the cuteness of the mice etc but they should be feared if they get into your home. We should be aware that letting rodents, mammals and or birds take up residence within our homes can lead to other problems. If we fail to notice or just let them in we could have secondary pests like fleas or ticks, when we eventually get rid of them. I recently had someone call who had bats in a log home and after they excluded the bats they were left with some nasty batbugs similar to bedbugs.

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Interesting packrat nesting

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At this time of year due to the cooler nights some of the mammals will try to enter structures. They don’t know any different than this looks like a cave or tree hole.

So don’t make your home or business look like their home. Seal any holes or access points and stop them from getting in. They will x0ollect leaves, twigs and anything that will help to keep them warm.

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