Tag Archives: Rat Removal

Super Rats Or Super Sickly Rats? Could Urban Pest Control Be Influencing Evolution?

How Is the Urban Environment Changing its Animal Inhabitants?
How Is the Urban Environment Changing its Animal Inhabitants?

With humans, efforts to eradicate illnesses sometimes result in development of drug-resistant bacteria and viruses. Scientists are finding a similar situation with NJ pest control, which appears to have some far-reaching impacts on the rat population.

Are Rat Extermination Efforts Counterproductive?

Rat infestation takes a physical, mental and economic toll on affected communities. While improvements in technology have created highly efficient rodent-killing solutions, many cities around the world are actually seeing an increase in their rat populations.

Impact of Extermination Methods on Rat Population

Once an extermination campaign ends, the results are generally temporary as rat populations quickly rebound, a phenomenon dubbed the “boomerang effect.” Rats themselves have been undergoing a couple of significant changes.

• Rats who survive extermination attempts tend to have genetic traits that make them better equipped to avoid danger. One specific gene that’s been identified actually makes rodent-killing chemicals ineffective. As these traits are passed on through reproduction, generations of “super rats” are developing.

• On the other hand, reduction in rat population causes a corresponding reduction in genetic variation, which in turn hinders their ability to respond to changing environments. Reproduction within this limited gene pool creates a type of inbreeding, leading to weak and sickly rats less likely to survive.

Choose Stern Environmental for Effective NJ Pest Control

Our NJ pest control methods for insects and wildlife are safe, humane and effective. Contact Stern Environmental for more information.

Brooklyn Is The Worst Borough For Rat Sightings: What the Maps Tell Us About Rat Infestations

Which Cities are Bed Bug Hotspots?
Which Cities are Bed Bug Hotspots?

Most people are familiar with the fact that those who live in New York City are frequently dealing with rat problems. But unless you live there, or have spent a significant amount of time there, you don’t really understand the scope of the issue. NYC rat control is a serious problem, but just how bad is it, really?

Rat Sightings in New York City

Between January 2010 and September 2017, there were 101,914 rat sightings that were reported. That phrase, that were reported, is key because so many of them go unreported to the city. Therefore, we can conclude that there were actually many more sightings that occurred. What’s even worse is that between these two time periods, there was an increase of 63%. That’s a lot!

On top of that, most of the rat sightings occurred in buildings that housed three or more families. Commercial buildings are not as common for rat infestations, which comes as quite a surprise.

Brooklyn – A Rat’s Safe Haven

According to the latest heat map visualization, Brooklyn is where rats are most often found. But that doesn’t mean the rest of the city is immune to them. They are plentiful, and found just about everywhere.

NYC Rat Control 

The good news is your NYC rat control professionals are on the job. If you have a rat problem, contact us. We have highly effective pest control solutions.

Flea-Carrying Rats Are Spreading Typhus in Homeless Camps in Los Angeles County

Rats Can Carry Infectious Diseases of their Own, on Top of Being Flea-Carriers.
Rats Can Carry Infectious Diseases of their Own, on Top of Being Flea-Carriers.

Los Angeles County is being hard-bit by an outbreak of typhus, which is affecting the downtown district of Los Angeles inhabited by homeless people.

The problem is due to filth accumulated on city streets from a variety of sources. In an effort to strike a blow against more typhus outbreaks, the city plans to increase its street cleaning efforts to eliminate the filth that’s attracting rats, which infect people who are bitten by infected fleas that have fed on the rats.

What is Typhus?

Typhus is often confused with typhoid due to the similarity in name, but they are two different diseases.

Typhus is carried by outdoor critters and household pets who are hosting infected fleas. Typhoid is transmitted to humans through either contaminated water or food.

The outbreak of typhus in the city has not only impacted the homeless population, it has also had an effect on business and working people.

Typhus Symptoms

The signs of typhus include abdominal pain, muscle pain, rash, and high fever. It can be treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, it could lead to hospitalization.

Avoiding Typhus

Several things you can do include keeping your pets treated for fleas and block openings into your home. Also have a NJ pest control company do an inspection.

At Stern Environmental, our NJ pest control specialists have experience in handling flea infestations. To be flea-free, call our office and schedule an appointment.