All posts in “rodents”

Do all rats scavenge for food, are they opportunistic?

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I have a friend that had a detached garage, he was doing some work and noticed that the dog food bag had a hole. He did some investigating and found that he had some rodents doing some hoarding. They were hoarding under cabinets and the stand for the hot water tank. They are crafty and will hide food for times of famine. What can you do?

  1. Store food in metal containers
  2. Check garage for entry points
  3. Check garage doors for tight seals

If you notice activity take measures immediately to limit their availability of food and shelter.

Another weird little animal from Texas

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“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.

Did you know that rodent teeth continue to grow?

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This story is from Grant County, Washington and just highlights the need to understand rodents. I have on occasion had people tell me “I don’t care if I have rodents or birds in my attic”. “I don’t care if they are under my crawlspace, they are not bothering me”. Well maybe not today but how about tomorrow? What happens when they leave, what parasites do they leave behind? What damage can be done to the structure? “911 outage in Grant County possible caused by rodents”

  1. Rodents incisor teeth continue to grow and they need to keep them in check.
  2. Fleas, ticks and other critters make their homes in the nest or on the bodies of wildlife.
  3. Animals/wildlife seek shelter within our homes but it is very important to keep them out. They produce feces, urine and other bodily secretions daily – you don’t want or need them in your home.
  4. Mice urinate almost continuously, if this becomes airborne you have the chance to breath it in. This is how Hanta Virus is spread.

Home-sealing is a key to keeping them out.

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I wonder who gets paid to do this type of research?

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“Big or small, mammals take 21 seconds to pee“

I guess my other question would be the picture of the dog and mention he probably thinking – why are they taking a picture of me peeing?

But once again, that is the one of reasons why I live – to find these incredible and one of a kind stories. I know you’re laying awake at night wondering about this kind of stuff? I guess my next real plan of action is to time myself, know we will find out who is really reading my home seal…

TX Health officials warn about HantaVirus

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“Health Precautions“

Even though this comes from Texas I thought the video was worth your read or watch.

Always use caution when cleaning, especially if you are in areas known to house the Deer Mouse

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Photo by NPMA

Twas the night before Christmas and not a creature was stirring

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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

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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?

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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

 

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