Tag Archives: NYC Rat Control

Disease Carrying Pests, Green Pest Control, News, Pest Control, Pest News, Rats, Rodent Control

Managed Cat Colonies May Be Used to Lower Rat Population in NYC

Cats to manage rodent populations in New York City?
Cats to manage rodent populations in New York City?

Better known for patrolling NYC area subways and communities in their efforts to thwart crime, the legendary Guardian Angels are now tackling the NYC’s 4-legged foes – rats. Rodent control has become big news as of late, given a small but deadly bacterial outbreak back in December that was linked to leptospirosis, which is found in rat urine.

The Plan to Run-Off the Rodents?
Cats. To combat this age-old city problem, feral cats are being established in vacant land areas citywide, aimed at reducing problem areas overrun by rodents. The territorial creatures have been surmised to be an ideal solution for reducing rodent population, and likewise being kept in check and cared for with spay/neuter services, vaccinations, and necessary food and shelter.

The Cat’s Meow
The Guardian Angels are now overseeing 10 colonies of cats in the city, ranging from Astoria to Howard Beach, stating these colonies are a win-win for the city. The kitty commandos – about 150 total, may soon be embarked on a new mission at 750 Grand Concourse, the Bronx building identified as ground zero for the leptospirosis outbreak. Other area residents looking for help have been encouraged to contact the group.

Four-legged felines in your home not toeing the line when it comes to managing your NYC rodent control needs? There’s a safer, easier way to eliminate those annoying and potentially dangerous rodents. Contact Stern Environmental to learn more today.

Disease Carrying Pests, Pest Control, Rats, Rodent Control

What You Need to Know About Rat-Carried Leptospirosis

Rats and New York City - Unfortunately They Just Go Together
Rats are Known Carriers of Diseases. Leptospirosis is the Latest and is Particularly Severe.

Most people know that rats carry diseases. This fact alone makes them one of the most dangerous of pests. One disease, which is known as Leptospirosis, can lead to severe health problems if it is contracted and treatment isn’t administered right away. This is just one reason why it’s important to secure NYC rodent control as soon as possible if you have a rat problem.

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a rat-carried disease that can easily be spread to humans. It can cause many symptoms, including:

  • Redness of the eyes
  • Stomach pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • High fever
  • Chills
  • Headache

As you can see, it might be easy to mistake Leptospirosis for something else, such as a mild virus, or even the flu. Some people don’t even have symptoms at all. It can take between two days and four weeks to develop symptoms after exposure.

If Leptospirosis is left untreated, it can progress even further into problems like kidney failure, liver failure or meningitis. Recovery with treatment can take as long as three weeks, or even longer in some cases. Without treatment, it can take months.

Help From NYC Rodent Control

Ignoring a rat problem can be dangerous, and it can easily lead to disease. Here at Stern Environmental, your NYC rodent control specialists are standing by to provide you with the help you need to rid your property of rats. Contact us for help!

Animal Control, Pest Control, Rats, Rodent Control

In Seattle, Rats Are Entering Homes Through Toilet Pipes

Prevent This Opportunist Today!
Prevent This Opportunist Today!

Imagine, if you will, hearing a splashing sound in a rest room toilet, and when you inspect what the sound might be, you find a rat swimming inside of the toilet bowl!

That may sound amusing, unless you’re the person who actually discovers the swimming rat, yet this is not an uncommon occurrence. Rats can and do swim up waste pipes into businesses or homes, and exit the pipes through the toilet bowl.

Drain Pipe Food Trail

As everyone knows, rats occupy sewage pipes in virtually every municipality across the nation. Tons of food waste is washed into the sewage system where rats live, and sometimes they will literally follow a food trail that occurs when food items are washed down drains.

Opportunists

Rats are opportunists, and if they can locate a trail of food, they will follow it wherever it leads. As they make their way up drain pipes, they can only follow the pipes that are large enough to let their bodies fit through, and in most cases the larger toilet drains become their highway. They must exit somewhere to get air, which is why they end up in a toilet bowl.

Flushing the toilet will generally send the rat back to where it came from. But if you want to do more, contact Stern Environmental. For NJ and NYC rodent control, we are the experts.

Animal Control, News, Rats, Residential Services, Rodent Control

Rat Academy Teaches NYC Residents How to Keep Rats Away

Army of Rats
Keep Those Rats Away

In an effort to help residents combat rats in their neighborhood, specially designed rodent-resistant garbage cans are being given out free of charge. This is just one way to stay one step ahead of the whiskered rodents that enjoy rampaging through your yard looking for food.

Rats are opportunists and they are always on the search for food, water and shelter. They’re also carriers of disease which is a major reason for not wanting them in or near your home.

NYC rat control is on the rise but there are steps you can take to make your property less appealing to rats.

Don’t make it easy for rats to access food. Place refuse in rat-resistant containers with secure lids.

  • If you don’t have enough garbage cans, contact the city and ask for more. Under no circumstances do you want garbage spilling from containers. That is a big attraction for rats.
  • Remove hiding places in your yard such as stacked tree limbs, tall shrubs, and overgrown weeds. Also remove any clutter from your property to eliminate breeding and nesting places.
  • Inspect your property to search for any cracks, crevices, or holes where rats can enter your home. When found, fill and seal entryways.

Don’t let rats run you ragged. Give us a call at Stern Environmental Group and we’ll set up a schedule for one of our NYC rat control specialists to inspect your home.

Animal Control, News, Rats, Rodent Control

NYC Rats Carry Some Serious Diseases and Viruses

NYC Rat Control
NYC Rat Control

Many a midnight stroll around Manhattan has been ruined by the sight of a long-tailed rat scurrying across the sidewalk. Unfortunately, New Yorkers have more than just a creepy-crawly feeling to worry about — those rats have fleas that carry the bubonic plague virus and other serious illnesses.

Cornell and Columbia researchers have estimated that the average NYC rat carries around 4 fleas. Some rats walk around with dozens of the parasites attached to their coat and biting them.

Why rat fleas pose lethal risk to New Yorkers

These aren’t your dog’s fleas — the Oriental rat flea can do more than just bite and itch.

If a rat flea jumps from its rodent host and attaches to someone’s shoe or pant leg, the human being might soon get bit by the virus-carrying insect.

Even simple contact with rat hair or droppings (think about walking the city streets…) and people are at risk for exposure to a variety of diseases spread by bacteria and viruses.

Protect yourself from rats and fleas

Across the five boroughs and beyond, many locals consider rats part of the NYC scenery, but the dangerous risks make it highly important to protect and defend:

  • Seal off all entry points
  • Use tight-fitting lids for garbage
  • Call a rodent control professional for infestations

Stern Environmental provides expert control methods for extermination, removal, and future prevention. Contact us immediately if your building has a rat problem.