Bernalillo County, Albuquerque Rat Control Situation:
Hi, My name is Anna and I am a graduate student at American University in the Interactive Journalism master's program. For my investigative reporting course, I am working on an in-depth story about DC's rodent problem, in particular how the Wildlife Protection Act of 2010 may or may not affect how the District's rat population is managed in the future. The story will be turned in to my professor and presented to my classmates. I understand that you provide catch and removal services in the Albuquerque NM metro area. I'd like to learn more about the brown rat, particularly habits/adaptations to the District's urban environment. Also, I'm curious about the science behind the Wildlife Protection Act. Even though it is highly unlikely that rats will be protected, how would relocation vs trapping and killing change how the rat population is managed? One of the main issues presented by Mister Herman of the National Wildlife Control Operators Association is that the language in the law is too subjective in that it doesn't distinguish what types of rodents are protected, if any. Some suggest that the rice rat along with the deer mouse could be harmed by the law. Dr. Hadidian of the Humane Society was quoted in a WTOP article saying that he hasn't heard of rice rats in the area in his 30 years at the organization. People have had a strong reaction to this legislation and I'm trying to understand the controversy from all angles. I would like to speak over the phone sometime in the next week or we can discuss via email. Please let me know if this is something you are willing and able to do or if you have any questions. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Anna
Albuquerque Rat Control Tip of The Week
City Subways And The Presence Of Rats
Rats, like pigeons, badgers, and foxes thrive in urban environments, even moving to these places. Cities are full of garbage dumps, abandoned lands, and sewers that can provide a cozy burrow for rats to live in and raise their families. Human beings have provided the perfect conditions for the well-being of this species.
Sewers And Rats
Sewers can provide everything needed for an exponential multiplication of rodents. The problem is that the more rats there are, the more they need food, so to get it they will be severely aggressive towards each other. This aggressiveness and the search for new food sources can cause serious damage to the city.
Rats Are The Real Infection
These rodents are known for carrying bacteria that cause infectious diseases leading humans to death. Something similar occurs with rats when they spread through sewers, subways, garbage dumps, and train tracks.
Rats survive thanks to the mountains of garbage in the city and play a vital role in reducing this waste. However, wiring or holes and infrastructure problems can be just some of the catastrophic consequences for the city's subway system.
Super-rats
Humans love junk food and in big cities, high-calorie garbage has given the rats that eat it the energy they need to grow exorbitantly even creating resistance to some rat poisons.
The well-being of citizens begins with professional pest control combined with a mind-set of not throwing garbage into the environment. Briefly, if there is neither food nor garbage, there are no rats. The fewer rats there are in places like the subway, the fewer rats will be able to reach homes. The more we take care of the city, the fewer health problems or economic damage there will be.