Thomas F. (hardtack) -
Although I found it interesting, I was somewhat disappointed with this book. As an entomologist who wrote and lectured on insect-vectored diseases, I was hoping for more of a scientific study, as rats carry fleas which vector bubonic plague. Instead this was more of a popular history of rats, from their origin, to their spread around the world, the immense damage they do, and the ways we have tried to control them. Still, as a popular history and quick read I enjoyed it, even the chapter on people whose favorite pets are rats.
Here are some tidbits from the book.
While it is popularly believed the dodo bird went extinct due to sailors finding it easy to kill for food, it was the rats which wiped it out. This due to the flightless bird evolving on an island without predators for its young. Unfortunately, the dodo wasn't the only animal the rats did this to and are still doing to other species. And it turns out the dodo bird's meat, even when cooked, was nasty.
In the United States alone, rats destroy or contaminate $19 billion worth of food. Just think what this does to grocery prices.
The easiest way to control rats is just to deny them access to food and water, especially water. As an entomologist I can tell you this is the best way to control cockroaches too! Don't leave any spots of water around your kitchen or bathroom sinks when you go to bed at night. This includes water and food bowls left out overnight for your pets.
And I had to laugh when the author addressed those "electronic rodent repellents which use ultrasonic waves" to drive rats away. His comment, as told to him by scientists and pest management specialists was "The main problem with them is that they don't work." I can't tell you how often I've told people these type of devices don't work for insects either, and have been ignored. And what about those electronic insect killer devices people mount outside to kill mosquitoes. It makes people feel good to hear the insects bring 'fried." The problem is the insects being killed are not mosquitoes, as they are not attracted to them.
If you want to attract rats to your home or business the author provides listings of their favorite and least favorite foods. The top favorite is scrambled eggs, while the top least favorite is raw beets.
Here are some tidbits from the book.
While it is popularly believed the dodo bird went extinct due to sailors finding it easy to kill for food, it was the rats which wiped it out. This due to the flightless bird evolving on an island without predators for its young. Unfortunately, the dodo wasn't the only animal the rats did this to and are still doing to other species. And it turns out the dodo bird's meat, even when cooked, was nasty.
In the United States alone, rats destroy or contaminate $19 billion worth of food. Just think what this does to grocery prices.
The easiest way to control rats is just to deny them access to food and water, especially water. As an entomologist I can tell you this is the best way to control cockroaches too! Don't leave any spots of water around your kitchen or bathroom sinks when you go to bed at night. This includes water and food bowls left out overnight for your pets.
And I had to laugh when the author addressed those "electronic rodent repellents which use ultrasonic waves" to drive rats away. His comment, as told to him by scientists and pest management specialists was "The main problem with them is that they don't work." I can't tell you how often I've told people these type of devices don't work for insects either, and have been ignored. And what about those electronic insect killer devices people mount outside to kill mosquitoes. It makes people feel good to hear the insects bring 'fried." The problem is the insects being killed are not mosquitoes, as they are not attracted to them.
If you want to attract rats to your home or business the author provides listings of their favorite and least favorite foods. The top favorite is scrambled eggs, while the top least favorite is raw beets.
