1. Rats have poor eyesight, but they make up for this with keen senses of smell, touch, hearing, and even taste. For this reason, when we set traps they are best placed next to a wall - preferably a wall the target rodent is familiar with. Sometimes the traps are not sprung for a few days, as rats are naturally cautious of any new and unfamiliar object or odor. So the answer is (d) - all of the above.
2. Rats can squeeze through an opening as small as (b) 1/2 inch. Keep this in mind as you look for ways to rat-proof your home. An opening the size of a half dollar can be a thoroughfare for rats. And if rats can fit through a 1/2-inch opening, mice can access a much smaller breech. Check the weather stripping on all your doors!
3. According the the San Diego County web page on rat control, a typical rat will travel up to(c) 300 feet to find food. Think football field. They may live in your neighbor's shrubs and eat at your house. For this reason alone it is a good idea to keep pet food indoors.
4. The best protection against rodent infestation is (c) exclusion. The more proactive homeowners are in sealing and screening vents, doors, and other openings that may invite rodents, the less likely they are to have to do any trapping or baiting.
5. Plague is not a historical disease. And it is not the only disease rats may carry into your home. Among other diseases rats may transmit to humans or pets are, leptospirosis, trichinosis, salmonellosis and ratbite fever. According to PCT online magazine, there are (b) 10-15 cases of plague per year in the United State directly related to rodent exposure.
6. The tendency of rats to avoid anything new in their environment is called (a) neophobia. Answer (d), "zenophobia" is a misspelling of "xenophobia," a related human fear of strangers. The other answers are ringers. Neophobia is peculiar to rats. Mice are much more inquisitive.
7. (D) Rodents are always seeking nesting material. Placing a piece of dental floss or string on the treadle of a snap trap has been found to enhance the likelihood of successful trapping.
8. As noted in the answer to #6 above, mice are naturally more inquisitive than rats (d). Although both are rodents, it is helpful to know some of the basic differences as we try to protect our homes against rodent invaders. As is so often true in pest management, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Tomorrow's blog will give more suggestions for rodent-proofing your house, along with information on free county services.
No comments:
Post a Comment