Do Norway Rats And House Mice Rely Solely On Humans In Order To Survive?

For many people, the term “rodent” may trigger a mild feeling of disgust accompanied by a mental picture of a filthy-looking critter with an unpleasantly grey-colored fur coat rummaging through garbage bins or stored foods in kitchens. It is likely that a large number of people would be hard-pressed to describe a single rodent that […]

How Rats Are Able To Chew Through Materials That Are Meant To Keep Them From Invading Homes

Did you know that rats have bulging eyes because of their jaw muscles? You may have heard of the term “eye-boggling” rat before, but it refers to the way a rat’s eyes seem to bulge out of their sockets, and can actually vibrate in and out when a rat is grinding its teeth. These bulging […]

Why White-Footed Mice Are Largely Responsible For Lyme Disease Outbreaks

Ticks are the most medically significant arthropod pests in the United States where they transmit diseases to thousands of Americans every year. According to officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 300,000 new cases of lyme disease are documented annually in the country, and a majority of these cases occur in […]

Urban Rats Carry Several Diseases That Have Yet To Be Described By Researchers

Norway rats are globally distributed and they are the primary rat pests in urban areas of the United States. While much has been learned about Norway rats, many researchers state that studying their behavior in urban areas is quite difficult due to their small size, their ability to hide in inaccessible locations and their favored […]

Why Do Rodents Persistently Gnaw On Non-Food Materials Within Homes?

Rodents, such as mice, rats, squirrels and chipmunks, are unique for possessing one pair of ultra-sharp incisors on their upper and lower jaws. Rabbits, for example, are not categorized as rodents because they possess two pairs of incisors on their upper jaw. Rodents use their sharp incisors for a variety of purposes, including defense, aggression, […]

How Did Non-Native Rats Become Abundant In Upstate New York? And Why Are They Unusually Aggressive Pests?

While the Big Apple is well known for its thriving rat population, little attention is paid to the alarmingly high rate of rat infestations in upstate New York. Perhaps it is not surprising to non-residents to learn that rat infestations are by no means uncommon in cities like Rochester, Buffalo and Albany. But what may […]

How Do Hurricanes In New York Affect The State’s Rat Population?

When hurricanes hit land they devastate all living creatures unfortunate enough to be in the path of the storm. Houses and entire cities are destroyed; many of the people waiting out these storms at home when they hit are often killed if not severely injured. So, this must mean that the wildlife pests that inhabit […]

Do All Rat Species In New York Pose A Potential Public Health Issue?

While many people cannot help but to find some rodents adorable, such as guinea pigs, most rodents are considered less than desirable to have within a home. No rodent is more detested than the rat, and for good reason, as these critters facilitate the spread of disease, and are uniquely filthy. Most of the common […]

Rochester Is One Of The Most Rat-Infested Cities In America

Populations of humans and rats overlap in all towns and cities in the world, but some locations see worse rat related issues than others. When it comes to rat-infested cities, most people think of New York City, and this is understandable considering the city’s dense population. But the city of Rochester, New York may have […]

Rodent Infestations And Wild Animal Incidents Are Common In America’s Sports Stadiums

Sports stadiums are well known for their unhealthy food options, crowded restrooms and intoxicated guests, but it is not often that we hear about wild animal infestations or incidents as occurring within sports stadiums. However, a recent report issued by ESPN Concerning food safety in sports stadiums repeatedly made mention of issues involving wild animals. […]