Wildlife and Animal Questions

Answers to basic, need-to-know Animal Control Questions.

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1. What does sanitation have to do with rat control?

   Proper sanitation will do a great deal to control rodent pests. All animals have three requirements for life: food, water and shelter. Removal of any one will force an animal to leave.

   * Remove debris such as piles of waste, lumber or trash, used feed sacks, abandoned large appliances, etc.
   * Trim the dead fronds from palm trees to substantially reduce the harborages for rodent pests. Stacked firewood stored for long periods also provides good harborage for all three commensal rodents.
   * Compost piles should be properly managed to ensure rapid decomposition of potential rat foods.
   * Do not scatter food for wildlife such as birds or squirrels. Use rodent-proof bird feeders.
   * Store pet food and seeds, such as bird seed, in rodent-proof containers of glass or metal.
   * Collect and remove fallen fruit and nuts from backyard trees and orchards. Prune seed pods from lilac and other shrubs.
   * Keep lids on trash cans and close dumpsters at night. The drainage holes in dumpsters should be covered with hardware cloth to keep rodents out.
   * Trim tree branches at least 6 feet from the roof.

   
   

   Rating: +96

   

2. How can I eliminate shelters for rats at my home?

   Exclusion is also called rodent-proofing. This involves making your home a fortress that rodents can not breach. Rodents can squeeze through any opening that their head can fit through. That is a ¼-inch opening for mice and a ½-inch opening for young rats. Young rats and mice are the dispersing individuals, so these are the ones most likely to invade new areas, like your home. Any opening that a pencil can fit through will admit a mouse.

   Eliminate possible shelters by:

   * Repairing any cracks or small holes in the foundation
   * Fixing broken windows and doors, and mending screens
   * Repairing broken sewers
   * Sealing any holes where pipes or wires enter the house
   * Covering foundation vents with rodent-proof screen material
   * Elevating compost, lumber and wood piles at least 12 inches above the ground
   * Removing unmanaged brush near the home
   * Pruning ornamental shrubs away from the ground and avoid planting ground covers that afford shelter, like ivy.

   Below is a list of recommended materials for excluding rats and mice around the house:

   * Galvanized, stainless or other non-rusting metal
   * Sheet metal, 24-gauge or heavier
   * Expanded metal, 28-gauge or heavier
   * Perforated metal, 24-gauge or heavier
   * Hardware cloth, 19-gauge or heavier, ¼-inch or smaller mesh
   * Cement mortar (1 part cement, 3 part sand mix or richer)
   * Concrete (1 part cement, 2 part gravel, 4 part sand mix or richer).
   * Broken glass added to mortar or concrete will deter rodents from tunneling through a patched hole before the material hardens.
   * Brick, concrete block, tile or glass will exclude rodents if in good repair.
   * Wood will exclude rodents if no gnawing edges are present.

   
   

   Rating: +93

   

3. Are Norway rats common to Florida?

   The Norway rat is uncommon in Florida, but can occur anywhere in the state. Rats occurring in sewers are generally Norway rats. These rats are strong burrowers, but can also climb well. They are excellent swimmers and can swim under water for up to 30 seconds and can enter houses by coming up toilet pipes. These rats usually dig burrows along building foundations and under debris piles. They have a strong preference for meat and fish, but will do well on any type of human or pet food. Raw or cooked meat and fish, especially sardines, are excellent baits, but peanut butter also works well. Like the roof rat, the Norway rat is cautious of new objects and has a very large home range, over 50 yards in radius. The Norway rat is very aggressive and will drive roof rats out of an area. However, both species of rats can be found in the same building, with roof rats in the attic and Norway rats in the basement.

   
   

   Rating: +92

   

4. Is there a non-chemical rat control?

   In most cases of rodent infestation, the pest animals can be controlled without having to resort to the use of poisons. The practices of good sanitation and exclusion will prevent most problems. If rodents do find their way indoors, small populations can be easily eliminated with various non-toxic methods. Rodenticides (rodent poisons) need only be used in cases of large or inaccessible infestations. The trapping of rodent pests is often preferable to the use of poisons. Traps prevent rodents from dying in inaccessible places and causing an odor problem. There is no chance of an accidental poisoning or secondary poisoning of non-target wildlife, pets or children with the use of traps. Traps can be used in situations where poisons are not allowed or recommended, such as in food-handling establishments.

   
   

   Rating: +92

   

5. How common are roof rats?

   The roof rat or black rat is the most common rat encountered in Florida. These rats are excellent climbers and often nest in attics, wall voids, hollow trees and in palm thatch. They prefer to travel off the ground and enter houses from nearby trees or along power lines. Roof rats prefer fruit (they are sometimes called citrus rats), but will eat any type of human, pet or livestock food. Peanut butter, pieces of fruit or nut meats are the best baits.

   Rats are usually fearful of new items in their environment and avoid them for several days. This means that traps should be left in place for at least one week before they are moved to a new location. The presence of roof rats can be determined by gnawing damage, the presence of droppings, sightings, sounds of scratching, squeaking or gnawing in walls or ceilings, and characteristic dark, greasy rub marks along frequented paths along walls and on rafters. Rats have large home ranges and may travel over 50 yards to reach food or water. Concentrating traps along rat runways or favorite routes of travel is most effective.

   
   

   Rating: +90

   

6. How common are roof rats?

   The roof rat or black rat is the most common rat encountered in Florida. These rats are excellent climbers and often nest in attics, wall voids, hollow trees and in palm thatch. They prefer to travel off the ground and enter houses from nearby trees or along power lines. Roof rats prefer fruit (they are sometimes called citrus rats), but will eat any type of human, pet or livestock food. Peanut butter, pieces of fruit or nut meats are the best baits.

   Rats are usually fearful of new items in their environment and avoid them for several days. This means that traps should be left in place for at least one week before they are moved to a new location. The presence of roof rats can be determined by gnawing damage, the presence of droppings, sightings, sounds of scratching, squeaking or gnawing in walls or ceilings, and characteristic dark, greasy rub marks along frequented paths along walls and on rafters. Rats have large home ranges and may travel over 50 yards to reach food or water. Concentrating traps along rat runways or favorite routes of travel is most effective.

   
   

   Rating: +90

   

7. Can my home be infested by House Mice/Mouse?

   The house mouse is the most common commensal rodent invading houses in Florida. It is primarily nocturnal and secretive. The presence of mice is usually indicated by sightings, damage from gnawing into food containers, or presence of droppings. In the wild, house mice feed primarily on seeds. In the home, they prefer grain products, bird seed and dry pet food. Good choices on food that will attract a house mouse to a trap include peanut butter or gum drops stuck to the trigger, and rolled oats or bird seed sprinkled on the trap. When food is abundant, nesting material, such as a cotton ball, attached to the trigger can act as an effective lure.

   House mice are inquisitive and actively explore anything new. They tend to nibble on many small meals a night. House mice are good climbers. They have a small home range and usually stay within 10 to 30 feet of their nest. Therefore traps for mice should be set 6 to 10 feet apart. Nests are usually in structural voids, in undisturbed stored products or debris, or in burrows outdoors. Mice and rats are very nervous about moving in the open. The more cover they have, the more comfortable they are. They would prefer running behind an object or along the baseboard of a wall than to run across an open space.

   
   

   Rating: +89

   

8. Rats? Mice? What's the difference?

   Rats and mice often enter homes, farm buildings and warehouses in search of food and shelter. The most common rodent pests in Florida are the rats and mice. These are Old World rodents that have adapted to live with man. They include the Roof Rat, Norway Rat, and House Mouse. These commensal rodents have been carried by man to every corner of the Earth. Rats and mice consume or contaminate large quantities of food and damage structures, stored clothing and documents. They also serve as reservoirs or vectors of numerous diseases, such as Rat-bite fever, Leptospirosis (Weil's Disease), Murine Typhus, Rickettsial pox, Plague, Trichinosis, Typhoid, Dysentery, Salmonellosis, Hymenolepis tapeworms, Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, and Hanta virus.

   
   

   Rating: +84

   

9. Do all wild animals carry rabies?

   While any mammal can carry rabies, in Florida Raccoons and Bats are the most common vectors.

   Most cases of rabies transmission to humans in North America are actually caused by bats, but even this is a rare thing.

   If you suspect you or a loved one or someone you know has contracted rabies, medical attention should be sought immediately.

   
   

   Rating: +75

   

10. How many rats are in my home?

    Well, it depends. How long has the rats been in the building and how many invaded.

    Typically, a rodent infestation is caught early on and no more than a half dozen can be found.

    If your home is properly maintained and rodent-proofed, then the amount of rodents found in your home can be counted on one hand and can be solved rather quickly. If rodents are allowed to get out of control, rats can breed into the hundreds and even thousands quickly.

    We have treated homes successfully and rodent proofed them on a number of times and solved infestations for industrial warehouses and complexes.

    
    

    Rating: +75

    

11. How much noise can a rat or mouse make?

    In addition to running about directly over your head while you want to sleep, they make a lot of noise eating, clawing, reproducing, talking, and what not.

    
    

    Rating: +75

    

12. What types of traps do you use?

    We used only state certified rodent and rat traps.

    Inside of your home, we use live catch-all's that capture the rodents alive and/or glue boards.

    In attics and drop ceilings we use glue traps and snap traps.

    on the outside we use tamper-proof and child safe bait boxes.

    
    

    Rating: +75

    

13. What kind of damage can rats do?

    In addition to leaving rat feces all over the place with foul urine stains (they urinate constantly), rodents chew.

    They'll chew your wires, plastic pipes, AC ducts, wall, drywall, wood trip, plastic bins, food boxes and containers, and just about anything else that will provide them with what they need.

    Rats chewing on electrical wires can cause shorts, fires, and accidental electrocutions.

    Rats can also die inside of wall voids and your attic or crawlspaces. As a result, they will bring in insect pests, flies, and generally stink as they decompose.

    On occasion they will also attack pets and people.

    
    

    Rating: +74

    

14. I found a lost dog, can you take it?

    Unfortunately, no.

    You may want to contact an animal shelter or rescue in your area.

    
    

    Rating: +73

    

15. What animals will you not handle or capture?

    Any federally endangered or threatened species is off limits for us. Bears as well.

    many birds species are protected under the federal migratory bird protection act and as a result, we can only use exclusion techniques to keep them out of/off of your home.

    We currently do not trap and relocate alligators, but we work with several state recognized groups and specialists.

    Please contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 352-732-1225 for animal control help with wild boars, alligators, and bears.

    
    

    Rating: +68

    

16. What is the most rats you have pulled out of a building?

    For an average sized home, 19. In that case the residents and owner ignored the rat problem until it was out of control and didn't exercise any sanitary policies.

    The most we have ever pulled out of a building was 117 from a large commercial building. A majority was extracted in the first week.

    
    

    Rating: +68

    

17. What do you do with the rats when you catch them?

    That depends on the state of the rat when we catch it.

    Typically we recover the rat after it's died in a trap or from a poison, in that case we dispose of it in a means that it won't come into contact with another animal that might eat it.

    If that is recovered alive, such as on a glue board or in a catch-all trap, then humane euthanization is employed.

    
    

    Rating: +67

    

18. Do you pick up dead animals?

    Yes, for a nominal fee.

    
    

    Rating: +65

    

19. What health risks do wild animals pose?

    Wildlife often carry several diseases that humans can contract, either through direct contact or contact of droppings, such as rabies, histoplasmosis, roundworm, Rat Bite Fever, Murine Typhus, Salmonellosis (bacterial food poisoning), Leptospirosis (Weils Disease), Trichinosis, Rickettsial Disease, Melioidosid, Pasteurellosis, and Brucellosis, possibly among others.

    We advise all to exercise caution and sanitary methods when coming into contact with wildlife.

    
    

    Rating: +65

    

20. Will you help out with dog or cat issues?

    The county animal services will assist with some dog or cat issues for free, unless they are put at personal risk, in a situation such as a mother cat with a litter in an attic.

    Contact your county's animal services division:

    Orange County Animal Services: 407-954-9140
    Seminole County Animal Services: 407-665-5201
    Osceola County Animal Services: 407-343-7101
    Orlando Humane Society: 407-351-7722

    We can help with feral cat issues.

    
    

    Rating: +65

    

21. Do you ever get bitten by animals/snakes?

    Thankfully, no one on our staff has been bitten by a wild animal or snake.

    
    

    Rating: +64

    

22. What's the strangest animal you've ever caught?

    There's always something new around the corner, but often most animals we catch are common ones like rodents, raccoons, etc.

    Strangest one thus far was a lost Chinchilla that was left behind by vacating tenants in an apartment complex.

    
    

    Rating: +63

    

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