The Hispid Cotton Rats

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Cotton rats are mainly agricultural pests living in grassy areas and feed on plants. They nest on the ground or in shallow burrows making trails in the grass where they travel. Although cotton rats are not considered structural pests, they can infest homes, garages, barns and storage sheds. The cotton rat is on our radar because it can host so many illnesses, including Hantavirus, the Black Creek Canal virus, the plague and murine typhus. These viruses can become airborne when rat droppings are disturbed and people who inhale the airborne virus can become infected. The first step in controlling these pests is preventing infestation. To discourage cotton rats, seal up openings that might allow rats to enter and keep grass and weeds near all buildings mowed as short as possible. If these rats have been identified, it is wise to call a pest control professional that has the gear and understanding to address the problem.

gogreenpestcontrol.ca Ladner Tsawwassen Delta B.C. Randy Bilesky

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hispid-cotton-rats-randy-bilesky?published=t

http://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blogs/blog-hispid-cotton-rats-1.15282555