Pests come into our homes and we just deal with them because we’re used to them or because we can’t seem to get rid of them. Fleas and mice or rats could be these kinds of pests. Where there’s one mouse, there’s several. Fleas, too. And the case may be that you have tried many times to rid your house of them, but they just won’t go away, Often times, we don’t know how harmful they can be to us, our family or our home.

In Larimer County, Colorado, a sixteen year old high school athlete became ill with flu like symptoms and died suddenly from what has been discovered to be the plague. Taylor Gaes died on June 8 after contracting the plague from a flea who picked it up from an infected rat on the family farm.

According to the Larimer County Health Department, the plague spreads through rodent populations in localized areas producing mass animal ‘die-offs’. Taylor had septicemic plague meaning it was contracted into his blood and spread throughout his body quickly. This kind of plague is rare and is highly fatal unless treated promptly. However, with nothing obvious to suggest the plague, this can be difficult.

This family had no clue that such a horrific disease lived on their family farm. And we don’t know, either.

If you have a pest problem, let your NJ pest control experts at Stern Environmental help you today.

Dreaming of a brighter future is not only a motivation tool for humans, but for rats as well, new research suggests. Could it help in NYC rat control?

Eye on the prize
The mind’s eye, as it were. Researchers in the study monitored the brain activity of rats, first as they viewed food in an unattainable location, then as they rested in a separate chamber, and finally as they were allowed access to the food. During their time of rest, activity in specialized brain cells of the hippocampus suggested the rats simulated walking to and from the unattainable food.

Hippo-what?
The hippocampus, located near the center of the brain in the temporal lobe, was previously recognized as important to memory skills and storing details about locations visited. In this study, however, it was also discovered to have associations with planning for the future.

Sweet dreams
During sleep or rest, the hippocampus of the rats rehearsed the journey through the location, mapping it in the mind’s eye, constructing fragments of a future yet to happen, and strengthening the memory. This replay may be what forms the content of dreams. Because the rat and human hippocampus are similar, the research explains how individuals with damage to this region of the brain are unable to imagine the future.

Can you imagine a future without rats? Stern has a plan for your NYC rat control needs. Contact us today!