RATS
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. It sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it?
But in Ireland, as well as many other ecology-minded nations, recycling has a downside: rats—by far, the most despised mammals on the planet.
Despite what many consumers believe, most of the old newspapers, cans and bottles we send to recycling plants are not magically transformed into second-generation products. Most are recycled only after an extended period, with the majority of recyclables winding up in landfills because there simply isn’t sufficient demand for the volume of materials collected. As a consequence, overflowing landfills have become perfect breeding grounds for rodents.
The most common rat in Ireland is the brown rat. Originally from Asia, it made its way to Europe and the United States in the cargos of 18th-century trade ships. Now, along with the common house mouse, the brown rat is the most widespread of all terrestrial mammals, to the chagrin of homeowners throughout the world.
Brown rats are fierce, aggressive pests that average 40 centimetres in length. They thrive in organised colonies within sewers, attics, rubbish dumps, landfills and along riverbanks. Active throughout the day and night, they do tremendous damage to buildings, electrical wiring and plumbing, with their incessant gnawing and tunnelling. They contaminate food and grain storage areas and are known carriers of deadly diseases like weils disease, bubonic plague, salmonella poisoning and toxoplasmosis (a parasitic infection of particular risk to pregnant women).
Rats normally live from one year to 18 months. They mature within three months and begin reproducing. Each year, a female will give birth to five to seven litters, with approximately eight to 12 “pups” in each. This degree of fertility makes rat populations hard to control and exterminate.
When rats invade your home, it will soon become apparent that they are not finicky eaters. They will consume almost anything (meat, vegetables, fruit, nuts, earthworms—even paper), but are particularly partial to grains and starchy foods.
When you spot one rat in your home or around your property, it’s safe to assume others prowl nearby. Don’t wait until the horde descends: Call a qualified pest-control professional to locate and destroy their habitats. More than one visit may be necessary to achieve complete eradication.
You can employ several measures to prevent a rat infestation:
First, practice proper sanitation. Regularly dispose of rubbish. Keeping rubbish in tightly sealed containers will not eliminate rat populations, it will make it more difficult for them to find places to burrow and tunnel. Seal exterior holes and openings larger than 6 millimetres with metal or concrete. Rats will easily gnaw through materials like wood, plaster and silicon sealants. Store cereals and other foodstuffs in metal canisters or containers. Trim trees in close proximity to your home, as rats use them as springboards to your roof. Under the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle program, examine the type and quantity of rubbish and waste your household produces. Are there steps you can take to decrease the volume? Buy products made of recycled materials to support the recycling industry.Rats are an unpleasant by product of many recycling programs, but you can do your share to control their numbers. If your locality is experiencing severe problems, discuss the situation with your elected officials. They need to understand that their recycling policies, while well intentioned, may be contributing to a public health hazard.
