Harris County, Houston Rat Control Situation:
Dear Pest Control Agency, My name is Juan and I am working on my doctoral dissertation in Biology at Rice University, Houston, Texas. I have an undergraduate researcher who helps me with my research, and we both work in the laboratory of Prof. Michael. We have studied rats and mice in Europe, and we use the information to study a number of questions, including how rodent populations are connected between continents or within countries. One part of our work deals with the question of whether rats and mice in the US have developed resistance to rodent poisons, about which little is known. Our hope is that during pest control you will be able to obtain the tail tips (about 1 inch) of rats and mice that can be found at rodent infested sites. These could be collected from dead animals, and of course, we would send you everything you would need (scissors, tubes, gloves, prepaid shipping, etc.). If you decide to help us in our research, we would like to offer you a Domino's giftcard as a thank you for your efforts! We have received a large amount of support from a few pest control agencies so far. It would be wonderful if you would also consider helping us! Attached is a simple spreadsheet where a few details on the sampling are described. We do not need any specific information regarding locations where sampling was done, and no names of owners or of employees, etc. are needed. However, if you would like we would be more than happy to promote your company name in our research paper! Please feel free to contact us by email or phone if you have any other questions or concerns. Thank you so much for your consideration, and I hope to hear from you soon! Sincerely, Juan
Houston Rat Control Tip of The Week
What Are Some Rat Diseases That Can Affect Humans?
One of the biggest concerns of countries and cities suffering from plagues of rats is the many diseases they cause. Many lethal diseases have been caused by these pesky rodents and more and more places are being exposed to rat diseases.
Rats are carriers of numerous pathogenic microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other types of infectious agents, which can be transmitted through different parts and secretions of the rat; its tissue, saliva, urine, and feces.
How Can Rats Infect Humans?
Rats can transmit diseases through their skin; contagious infections that could be fatal in the skin of the affected person.
Through their saliva, rats can transmit a great number of viruses, bacteria, and infections, both internally and externally. That is why it is essential to go to a doctor if a rat bites you.
Rat urine and feces are among the most dangerous carriers of infection. They carry the most viruses and diseases which, if not treated in time, could have serious consequences for the health of the infected person.
The importance of being alert to the first sign of rats on your property is critical to your family's health. Not only your children and family but also your pet, as they could be exposed to even more infections and diseases that are deadly if not treated in time.
Some of the symptoms that could appear after a rat bite are:- Chills
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Muscular ache
- Breathing difficulty
Some of these symptoms are just a preview of a serious illness caused by constant exposure to rats. Some of these diseases include meningitis, gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, bubonic plague, toxoplasmosis, salmonellosis, internal parasites, among others.
Keeping your family out of harm's way should be a priority. When you first see a rat, you should do something about it; either hire a pest exterminator or set traps throughout the house yourself.
