Rodents

TELLTAIL SIGNS OF RATS 

Rats constantly leave droppings in areas that they frequent. Fresh droppings are dark in color and soft in texture. After 3 days, they harden and lose their dark color.

Rats urinate in areas that they frequent. Since urine gives off a fluorescent glow under ultraviolet light, a blacklight can be a useful tool for locating areas of rat contamination.

Rats always travel the same runways and leave smudge marks- a buildup of dirt and oil from their fur-along walls, pipes, gnawed openings and particularly and rafters for roof rats.

Rats keep indoor runways, or well-used paths, free of cobwebs, debris, and dust. Norway rats’ runways are usually well-defined paths at floor level next to walls and other vertical surfaces. Roof rats’ runways are above on rafters, pipes, etc.

Outside, roof and Norway rats’ runways appear as narrow paths through vegetation.

Rats are noisy and you can hear them when climbing, gnawing, clawing, moving and chattering to each other.

Footprints and tail drags can be seen in dusty locations.

Gnaw marks are a sure sign of rats. Their teeth grow continuously and they must gnaw on everything in order to survive.

Rats produce a distinctive musky odor.

Norway rats usually burrow, but nests under concrete slabs, in rag piles or in lumber piles are not unusual.

Roof rats’ nests are usually up high and are often difficult to find. Sometimes nests are similar to tree squirrels’ nests, consisting of leaves, twigs and vines. 

Light Infestation (less than 20)

A few fresh droppings found in out of the way areas. Fewer than 30 droppings can be found in any one place, and the number of droppings is less than 6. 

Medium Infestation (20 to 50)

Fresh droppings seen in 20 to 30 locations. Old droppings and fresh gnawing found. One or more rats seen at night; usually no rats observed during the day. 

Heavy Infestation (more than 50)

Fresh droppings seen in numerous locations along with old droppings of various sizes, indicating an increasing population. Fresh track, gnawing, smudge marks and 3 or more rats noticed at night or rats seen during the day. 

Rats are dangerous! They can ruin your food, destroy things in your home and start electrical fires. Rats and their fleas can carry disease.

Where do rats live outside?

• Under wood piles or lumber that is not being used often
• Under bushes, vines and in tall grasses that are not trimmed or cut back
• Under rocks in the garden
• In cars, appliances and furniture that has been put outside and is no longer being used
• In and around trash and garbage that has been left on the ground
• In holes under buildings

Where do rats live inside the home?

• In the insulation of walls or ceilings
• Inside the crawl spaces
• Behind or under cupboards, counters, bathtubs and shower stalls
• Near hot water heaters and furnaces
• In basements, attics and wherever things are stored in boxes, paper or cloth

What foods brings rats into my yard and neighborhood?

• Garbage that rats can get into, like garbage cans with loose lids, plastic or paper bags, and litter.
• Food for pets and birds that has not been eaten. Birdseed on the ground, pet food in pet dishes, bread crumbs, etc.
• Fruits and berries that have fallen to the ground.
• Compost pile or worm bin that isn't taken care of the right way (do not put meat, fish, poultry, or dairy in the compost)
• Dog droppings

What do rats eat when they get inside the house?

• THE SAME FOODS WE DO!
• Foods, fats, oils that have been spilled and left on counters, floors, appliances and tables
• Grains, like cereal, oats, rice and vegetables like potatoes and carrots that are in cardboard boxes and plastic bags
• Pet food in boxes or bags
• Any garbage that is not in a can with a tight lid

Keep rats away from your home!

Do not give food and shelter to these most unwanted guests!

• The time to act is before the signs (droppings) of a rat or mouse.
• Stack fire wood 18 inches off the ground and away from all buildings.
• Birdhouses and seed should be on poles and in trays rats can't get.
• Keep garbage can lids closed tightly.
• Plant bushes so they will stay at least 3 feet from your house.
• Keep yards and alleys clean. Take junk to the dump!
• If you feed them, they will stay. Pick up fruit and vegetables in your yard.
• Do not compost any animal products (fish, meat, chicken, cheese, butter). Keep lids tight.
• Use only rodent resistant composters.
• In basements keep any food in closed containers that rats can't chew through.
• Cover all openings to your house. Rats can get into very small places.
• Do not leave your pet food outside. If your pet doesn't eat it, the rats will.
• Roof rats get into your house from tree branches that hang over the roof. Keep trees cut back and cover any openings in the eves.

Keep rats out of your sewer pipes!

Rats live in sewers and can follow the food in pipes up to your toilet.

• Keep your kitchen sink rinsed clean and use garbage disposals as little as possible.
  • Rinse out your kitchen sink once or twice a month.
  • Use 1 cup of bleach (an alternative to using bleach, 1 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar) and rinse with boiling water.
• Never throw grease down the drain.
• Keep your toilet lid down when not in use.
• If you find a rat in your toilet, flush it! (hint: squirt a little dishwashing liquid under the lid into the bowl, wait a couple of minutes then flush)

To kill a rat, use a rat trap!

The best trap is the large, simple, cheap wooden " snap trap." They are sold in hardware stores.

To use the trap:

• BAIT IT with pieces of apple, potato, raw bacon or with peanut butter spread on a cotton ball.
• ATTACH IT firmly to the ground or solid place to keep the rat from dragging the trap away.
• PLACE THE TRAP near where you have found the droppings. Make sure the trap is safe from people, children, pets or animals who could get hurt from it.

POISONS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED unless inside a tamper proof bait station, for rat control, because children or other animals may eat it by mistake. Also, poisoned rats can die in hard to reach places causing a very bad smell.

DEAD RATS must first be wrapped in newspaper, or placed in a plastic bag before putting it in a tightly covered garbage can. Injured or sick rats must be killed, then wrapped and put in the garbage can. Try not to touch the dead rat. Use gloves if possible.

WASH YOUR HANDS WITH HOT WATER AND SOAP AFTER GETTING RID OF DEAD RATS! (even if you used gloves).

How do I clean an area where rats/mice have already been?

If you are cleaning out a building that has been closed up, such as a cabin, shed, or garage, or areas where rodent nesting material have been found, follow these steps.

1.	Air out the building for at least 30 minutes by opening windows and doors. Leave the building while it is airing out.
2.	Wear latex or rubber gloves and a dust mask while cleaning.
3.	Avoid raising dust that may spread the virus through the air: Do not vacuum, sweep or dust. Carefully wet down areas with disinfectant before cleaning.
4.	Use rags, sponges and mops that have been soaked in the disinfectant solution to wipe down counter tops, cabinets and drawers, mop floors and baseboards.
5.	Mix a solution of 1 cup bleach to 10 cups water or use a household disinfectant.
6.	Steam clean carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture.
7.	Thoroughly spray or soak any dead mice, droppings, or nesting areas with disinfectant or bleach solution.
8.	Wash clothes and bedding in hot water and detergent. Set the dryer on high.
9.	To dispose of contaminated items, including dead mice, put them in a plastic bag. Seal the bag and put it in another plastic bag. Seal the outer bag and put it in your outdoor garbage can.
10.	When you are done, disinfect or throw away the gloves you used. Wash your hands or shower with soap and hot water.

Hantavirus    

 

• Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome [HAN-tuh-vi-rus PUL-mun-air-ee SIN-drome] (HPS) is a rare but serious, and often deadly, lung infection.
• HPS is caused by a type of virus called a hantavirus. The hantavirus that causes HPS is carried by rodents found throughout North America.
• People get HPS when they breathe in dust that is contaminated with saliva, urine, or droppings from infected rodents.
• No anti-virus drug is effective against HPS, and there is no vaccine.
• To prevent HPS, avoid contact with rodents, and avoid inhaling dust that might be contaminated with rodent urine, saliva, or droppings.

 

What is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare but serious, and often deadly, lung infection.

 

What is the infectious agent that causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is caused by the Sin Nombre virus. This virus is a type of hantavirus. Most hantaviruses attack the kidneys, but the Sin Nombre virus attacks the lungs. It infects the walls of the capillaries (tiny blood vessels in the lungs), making them leak and flooding the lungs with fluid.

 

Where is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome found?

Hantaviruses are found in rodents in different parts of the world. Each hantavirus has a preferred rodent host. The Sin Nombre virus is carried by the deer mouse, the cotton rat, and perhaps other rodents common throughout North America. These rodents live in semi-rural and rural areas and infest camps, old buildings, barns, and homes.

 

How do people get hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

Wild rodents spread HPS to people. The Sin Nombre virus is passed in the saliva, urine, and droppings of infected rodents. The virus can live for a few days in contaminated dirt and dust. People are infected when they breathe in tiny particles of these materials in dust from places where rodents are living and active. People can also be infected by handling contaminated materials and then touching the mouth or nose.

HPS is not spread from person to person. Cats and dogs do not spread the illness either, although they can bring infected rodents into contact with humans.

 

What are the signs and symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

The first symptoms are general and flu-like: fever (101^oF-104^oF), headache, stomach pain, pain in the joints and lower back, coughing, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. The main symptom is difficulty breathing as the lungs fill with fluid. This can quickly lead to an inability to breathe and, in severe cases, death from suffocation.

 

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

Symptoms can appear from 3 days to 6 weeks after infection, but usually within 2 weeks.

 

How is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome diagnosed?

Because the early symptoms are not specific and vary from person to person, HPS is hard to identify in its early stages. It is usually detected only when it affects the lungs and causes breathing problems.

 

Who is at risk for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

Unlike many illnesses that mainly strike people with weakened immune systems, HPS has hit mostly strong, healthy persons. Those who work, play, or live in closed spaces with active rodent infestation are at risk, although the chances of infection are low. The risk to campers, hikers, and tourists is very small.

People who should take special precautions against HPS are: 1) people who often handle or are exposed to rodents, such as wildlife biologists and exterminators, 2) people who clean or work in attics or crawl spaces where rodents might be living and active, and 3) people who clean or renovate buildings that might be actively infested with rodents.

 

What complications can result from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

Infected persons can develop untreatable respiratory failure. HPS is fatal to more than half of those who become infected.

 

What is the treatment for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

No virus-killing drug is effective against HPS. Although there has been some experimental use of the anti-virus drug, ribavirin, mechanical ventilation (use of a respirator) is the main treatment. Most patients need to be hospitalized in intensive care. The sooner an infected person gets medical treatment, the better the chance of recovery.

 

How common is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

HPS is a rare disease. It was first recognized in 1993 after the investigation of an outbreak of sudden fatal respiratory illness in the southwestern United States. Since then, no more than 100 cases of HPS have been identified in 20 states, mostly in the western part of the country.

 

Is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome a new or emerging infectious disease?

Yes. The Sin Nombre virus is a newly recognized virus, and HPS is a newly recognized disease. Scientists are working to learn more about it and to develop diagnostic tests and treatments.

 

How can hantavirus pulmonary syndrome be prevented?

• The best way to prevent HPS is to avoid contact with rodents and to avoid inhaling dust that might be contaminated with rodent saliva, urine, or droppings.
• Control mice inside. Keep the kitchen clean, and store food and trash in containers with tight lids. Carefully dispose of dead rodents trapped indoors or brought inside by pets. Rodent-proof the house by sealing cracks and clearing brush from around foundations.
• Control mice outside. Eliminate possible nesting sites. Elevate hay, woodpiles, and garbage cans, and place them away from the house. Store animal food in closed containers.
• Use safety precautions when cleaning indoor or outdoor areas that might be contaminated with rodent saliva, urine, or droppings. Do not stir up and breathe dust. Before cleaning, wet down potentially contaminated areas with a household disinfectant (such as bleach or alcohol). While cleaning, wear rubber gloves, and disinfect them after use. Dust masks that cover the nose and mouth can also help.
• When participating in outside activities, stay clear of rodents and their burrows and nests. Keep campsites clean and food tightly sealed. Open up and air out outbuildings and rural or wilderness cabins before entering or cleaning. Remove garbage and trash before leaving.

 

Where can I find more information about hantavirus pulmonary syndrome?

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hantvrus.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hanta/hps/index.htm

To have rodents  removed and the damage repaired