All articles tagged with #rodents
The FDA has recalled products from Gold Star Distribution due to insanitary conditions at the facility, including rodent and bird feces, which pose serious health risks such as Salmonella and leptospirosis to consumers and animals. The recall affects a wide range of FDA-regulated products distributed across numerous stores, though no illnesses have been reported yet.
Minneapolis is ranked as the ninth 'rattiest' city in the U.S. based on new data from Orkin, indicating a rise in rodent activity compared to the previous year, and is the only Minnesota city on the list, which includes several Midwestern cities and Los Angeles at the top.
A study published in Science reveals that most rodents have thumbnails instead of claws, which may have contributed to their evolutionary success by enabling better food manipulation, particularly for handling nuts, and this trait has been conserved across their family tree, helping explain their widespread diversity and dominance.
The Pittsburgh Popcorn Company's processing facility in South Side Slopes received 13 health code violations from the Allegheny County Health Department, including high risks for foodborne illness due to rodent activity and poor hygiene practices. The violations, reported on December 4, highlight issues such as food products gnawed by rodents, old food residue, grease build-up, and rodent droppings, raising significant concerns ahead of the holiday shopping season.
Humans are currently the most numerous mammal species on Earth, with a population of 8 billion as of November 2022. However, among non-human mammals, the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) is the most numerous due to its high reproductive rate. The house mouse also has a significant population, closely linked to human habitats. The global human population growth rate is slowing, with projections indicating it will take until 2037 to reach 9 billion.
A retired mailman in Wales discovered that a mouse was tidying up his workbench each night, so he set up a night-vision camera to capture the helpful rodent in action. The mouse, dubbed "Welsh Tidy Mouse," was seen gathering nuts, bolts, and other small items and placing them in a box on the workbench. This isn't the first time the man has encountered a clean-freak mouse, as a similar incident occurred a few years ago. The man believes the mouse is using the box to hide its stash of nuts.
A man in Arkansas has been diagnosed with hantavirus, a family of viruses that kill around 38 percent of patients and spread through contact with rodent droppings. This is the first confirmed case of hantavirus in Arkansas, and testing is underway to determine the exact strain. Researchers from the University of Arkansas recently discovered a new variant of hantavirus, named the Ozark virus, which they believe could be one of the most dangerous yet. Hantavirus can cause a severe flu-like illness that may lead to complications with the heart and lungs. While there is no known human-to-human transmission, isolated cases and potential clusters of the disease can occur. There is currently no specific treatment, cure, or vaccine for hantavirus infection.
Biologists at the University of Arkansas have discovered a new virus called Ozark orthohantavirus (Ozark virus) in rats in Benton and Washington County, part of the Ozark Plateau. While there is no evidence of the virus spreading to humans, further evaluation is warranted due to its close relation to other disease-causing viruses. The distribution of the virus beyond Northwest Arkansas is still unknown. Researchers at the university are studying viruses transmitted from animals to humans to catch and prevent the early spread of infectious diseases, as most new infectious diseases originate from animals.
A study conducted by researchers at SISSA has found that rats possess specialized visual neurons similar to "pattern cells" found in primates, which are crucial for accurately perceiving motion. By recording and analyzing rat cortical cells, the researchers confirmed that these neurons have the ability to process complex visual motion. This discovery supports the use of rats as models for human vision research and could contribute to the development of artificial vision systems and understanding visual pathologies.
Pest control company Orkin has declared Chicago as the "rattiest" city in the United States for the eighth consecutive year. Orkin determines the rankings based on the number of new pest control treatments for rodents in a 12-month period. Los Angeles and New York City switched positions this year, with Los Angeles taking second place and New York City ranking third. Washington, D.C., and San Francisco rounded out the top five. The rankings highlight the ongoing issue of rodent infestations in urban areas, with approximately 21 million U.S. homes affected each fall season.
Three Ohio towns, Cleveland-Akron, Columbus, and Cincinnati, have ranked among the top 50 "rattiest cities" in America, according to a list released by pest control company Orkin. Chicago maintained its first-place position for the ninth consecutive year, followed by Los Angeles and New York City. Ohio's top-ranking city, Cleveland-Akron, came in at No. 10, while Columbus rose three spots to No. 18, and Cincinnati fell six spots to No. 31. Orkin advises homeowners to be aware of warning signs such as droppings, gnaw marks, nests, rub marks, and strange noises to identify rodent infestations.
Pest control experts debunk common myths about repelling pests. They advise against using cheese as bait for rodents, as mice and rats are more attracted to high-calorie sweets and protein. The belief that conkers repel spiders is an old wives' tale, and effective methods for getting rid of spiders include humane catchers, baking soda, peppermint oil, or certain plants. While cats may catch and kill pests, relying on them to eliminate an infestation is unrealistic. Keeping a clean home is important, but it doesn't guarantee that pests won't return. Mosquitoes are active during the day as well, so it's important to use repellents and eliminate standing water to prevent bites.
The Washoe County Health District has confirmed a case of Hantavirus in Washoe County, involving a 60-year-old man who was exposed to rodent droppings. This is the first case reported in the county since November 2022. Hantavirus is a rare respiratory disease that can be transmitted through contact with infected rodents. Symptoms include fever, headache, abdominal pain, and respiratory issues. There is no specific treatment for Hantavirus, so prevention is crucial. The health district advises residents to take precautions when cleaning areas with rodent droppings and to seek medical attention if symptoms occur after contact with deer mice.
A human case of plague has been identified in a Montezuma County resident in southern Colorado. Plague is treatable in people and animals when it is detected early enough. The disease is most commonly detected in wild rodents, such as squirrels, prairie dogs, woodrats, and chipmunks. It can be transmitted to humans by flea bites or wild animal contact. The health department has provided tips to avoid getting infected with plague, including avoiding fleas, staying out of areas where wild rodents live, and preventing rodent infestations around your house.
Two people in New Mexico have died from hantavirus infection this year, with four others hospitalized but surviving. Hantaviruses are primarily contracted through exposure to rodents and their urine, and are not typically contagious between people. New Mexico typically reports three to four cases a year, but the current tally is above average. Health officials recommend taking precautions to avoid exposure to rodents and their nests, including sealing up homes, getting rid of nearby trash or junk piles, and soaking discovered rodent nests and droppings with disinfectant before cleaning them up.