[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by gongoozler

There is a major problem with roof rats in the Lopez area of the Villages . . . mostly because of fruit left on the ground, garbage, and pet foot (including water left outside). Just today I know three people who have seen live or dead ones in the Mulberry area. The roof rat, citrus rat, fruit rat, black rat, or gray rat are all one and the same (just different names for the Rattus rattus). This rat was brought to America on the first ships to reach the New World and has spread around the world. It is the same species that carried the bubonic plague around the world and is also the host for murine typhus. These rats are now the worst rodent pest in the state of Florida and by far the most abundant.

I take it these are NOT relatives of Mickey Mouse who lives an hour south of here.