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Rodent Reports: (more) Myths About Rodents
1 May, 2008 By: Dale E. Kaukeinen Pest Management ProfessionalIn my last column ("Myths about Rodents," March), I covered some common misconceptions about rodent behavior and activity, and what follows are some additional tall tales. Check with your staff to see if they know the truth behind these and other myths. They may hear these as statements or as questions from their customers. Sometimes, uninformed technicians may pass these on as fact or use them as sales claims.
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It's best to be truthful, and simply respond "I don't know of any basis in fact for that" when these gems are trotted out if a better answer isn't available.
MYTH: RATS ARE MORE SERIOUS PESTS THAN MICE.
FACT: Both rats and mice carry dangerous parasites and disease organisms. Mice have spread serious diseases in the past (such as typhus) and are still important carriers of rickettsialpox, LCM (lymphocytic choriomeningitis, a respiratory disease), and Salmonella food poisoning. Inner-city areas are frequently involved in outbreaks of rodent-borne diseases.
Mice have also been implicated as important sources of allergies in urban areas and present a difficult public health problem, for places like schools and public buildings. Mice may survive control efforts better than rats, since their habitats (such as in suspended ceilings) may be overlooked, and their smaller food requirements may protect them from finding rodenticide baits.
MYTH: RODENTS NEED TO CHEW ON THINGS CONSTANTLY TO KEEP THEIR TEETH WORN DOWN.
FACT: Nature has given rats and mice long, front incisor teeth and strong muscles so that they can chew through soft metals, wood and other materials. But the front teeth of these rodents are "self-sharpening" by virtue of the way they fit together. Most of the chewing damage that rats and mice may do is to enlarge openings so that they can get through or to obtain nesting material.
MYTH: THE MOST IMPORTANT DAMAGE THAT RATS AND MICE CAUSE INVOLVES THEIR CHEWING.
FACT: In terms of damage to food, rats and mice contaminate far more than they eat, with their droppings, urine and hair. Tolerances on rodent and insect contamination of foodstuffs are strictly regulated in interstate and international shipping, and countless tons of contaminated grain and food items may be discarded yearly.
The cost from rodent-borne diseases is immense. Items damaged by chewing can usually be repaired or replaced, but rodent-borne diseases may cause lasting effects to people and pets.
MYTH: THE MAJOR RAT-BORNE DISEASES OF THE PAST, LIKE PLAGUE, NO LONGER OCCUR IN THE UNITED STATES.
FACT: Plague was mainly carried in the Middle Ages by the roof rat (Rattus rattus). Plague exists today in the western United States, but is mainly in native rodent reservoirs such as ground squirrels.
A few people are infected with plague each year in the United States, usually from outdoor activities or contact with native rodents. However, the Norway rat (R. norvegicus) in the United States today has been implicated in transmitting many different diseases to people, including Salmonella, leptospirosis and trichinosis. Rats and mice can also carry many important diseases to livestock and poultry.
MYTH: CUSTOMERS WITH CATS OR DOGS WILL HAVE FEWER RODENT PROBLEMS.
FACT: Not all cats are good "mousers," and few cats will challenge a rat. Many dog breeds tolerate rats, although some terriers bred to fight rats may attack those they encounter. Most rats and mice can avoid pets in moving in and around structures. It's a safe bet that more rats and mice have been nourished by pet food than killed by pet cats or dogs.
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