When Dan Suomi from the Washington State Department of Agriculture spoke to the home inspection training class at Bellingham Technical College recently, he stated that some areas of the northwest are having a rat population boom. I have got to say that I sure do see a ton of rats anymore. I see them in low-end houses and also in high-end homes. Dan said that the intruders are a combination of Norway rats and roof rats (no relation to Nutsy S. Wallenda). Below is a photo of Dan with one such critter that is going nowhere in a hurry. Thanks for stopping by, Steven L. Smith
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Hi Steven, please keep the rats on the west coast.
Dale,
Get me address and I will send you a box full.
Steven, first let me say I am happy no one has come over here and tried to blame Nusty. I know he has nothing to do with this. Secondly, why is this happening? Inquiring minds want to know....
Why the population boom?
Could have gone all week without the picture of the rat. Not my favorite animal. I'm also, like those above, is there a reason for the booming rats?
Another untruth. And you a grandfather. For shame.
This guy can expect a visit from the animal protection people, whatever their name is. He's proudly displaying an animal that he has mistreated. Woe unto him.
As to the population boom, most of it is in Seattle. I think it is that way because Charlie Bee is just throwing his garbage all around his lot.
Barbara, the rat is plastic. I have a bin of all sorts of props. First time Dan ever spoke, he mentioned rats. This is two years ago. I tossed him my plastic Halloween rat with red eyes. So now it is sort of an ongoing bit. When he talks rats, I toss him the black rat with red eyes. This time I made him hold it till I got a photo. He did so sheepishly.
Steve
Oh my gosh! I was thinking he was touching that nasty thing with his bare hands!
I am not afraid of rats. My grandma who lived on a farm had barn rats. They are as big as midsized cats. Hard to kill. Have to use a shovel or hoe. Poison is the best thing.
Coming to you from Texas...
Thankfully, we do not have the rats y'all have. We do have them, but they are the size of overgrown field mice...
Steve, you're just trying to save your friend's hide. Nutsy and I are going to report him for his cruelty to Nutsy's rodent friends and relatives. But I do respect your loyalty.
Steven: We've seen a lot at our lake cabin in Northern Idaho as well. We were told by our exterminator it had been a mild winter. Thanks for the post!
I have to agree, there has seemingly been alot more homes with rats, and the damage they leave behind. Initially it does not seem like that big of deal, until you realize all of the work it takes to remove and replace damaged insulation, vapor barriers,etc. And steps needed to exclude them from the structure.
Steve,
When I was working in Seattle I would see wharf rats. Heck some of them you could almost ride they were so large.
Rats are fun, Aren't they?
Don
I happened across this fellow in a crawl space just the other day. He's not a photogenic as Dans rat, but just a good since he's dead.
James,
If you were not so backwoods in your thinking, you would have an assistant like Nutsy clear the crawl space of rodents prior to your entering. Stubborn thoughts can lead to extra work on your part.