Re: Zoonotic diseases in squirrels
This is a great article DF, and a very good topic! In fact, I’ve been nightmaring about these vermin and the potential threats they are bringing me here in MS. My husband and I are literally at wits end about the mice and rats. I guess technically, WE are the invaders; since our house and barn are way out in the middle of a pasture, next to the woods. But still, I have to wonder how others control the vermin without killing their pets?!? It’s no joke how serious it’s becoming!! I’m embarrassed to even post the the number of creatures I see running in the barn when I turn on the light (and yes! I have THREE barn cats!) The cats helped at first, but the sheer volume of rodents is way too many!! And since the house is just a stone throw away, they’ve discovered the porch. I’ve sealed the squirrel room up as best I know how, but they still come and try and chew their way in. I see them hanging on the wire, running around, just looking for a way to come in and steal a booball. Just thee days ago, I found a brand new fan for their room (placed on outside) with the cord chewed in two. I could bring everyone that lives outside in at night I suppose, but they just love this room. Teenie and Leah (the two Flyers) haven’t lived in a cage since they were babies. It would be cruel to lock them up now. Flying in our house sadly isn’t an option .
Every night we have to pick up the (outdoor) dog food bowls ; saw them grabbing a bite of food right under their noses!! And then, guess where they store and eat the food?? Under the hood of our trucks... And for dessert, they eat the wires to the tune of many hundreds of dollars!!
Its crazy!! Sorry DF; didn’t mean to hijack and get on a rat rant lol!! But seriously, I need to post a new thread when I have more time and ask , what can we do?? If we put out poison, I’ll kill my pets and other wildlife. And, personally, as gross as they are, the thought of the way that stuff slowly does it’s work.... Not and option. Traps?? I could set a hundred; and in a week a hundred more would come. Remove the food? We are doing that ... Feed is in cans with lids. The cats have a feeder , but they don’t dare venture into their little feed room (apparently they are also intelligent). The outdoor squirrel room gets daily debri from Dandies, Doodles, Miracle, and the Flyers.. But seriously; I keep that habitat wayyy cleaner than some in my human family keep their own bedrooms!!!
So back to the original topic: The Plague...
I hope it doesn’t come here !!!!
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