Rats

[nanci2539]

Tell me it's not true - rats don't live in Palm trees, do they???????

[handieman]

Tell me it's not true - rats don't live in Palm trees, do they???????

Hang on, I'll shimmy up mine and check
Handie :joke:

[graciegirl]

Dear friends.

Here is what I heard about rats in TV from the person who will be cutting our lawn. He said that the new areas have been practically shaved down to the sand and any wild life, flora, fauna are gone and will not quickly reinhabit, and those do not include rats, this nice friendly person said. HE said, there are no rats in TV. There may be opossum and there are squirrels, and deer and snake and alligators, but no rats. He said he grew up in Florida, his mother lives north of 466 and has for seven years. He really seemed to know of what he spoke.

However. He did say that snakes could get in trees.

[nanci2539]

I had dinner with a friend last week who has lived here for ten years. She told me that rats do live in the palm trees. Last night, coming home from dinner at Cane; there was a large mouse running across the street.

[chacam]

We have seen rats at the West side of the tunnel at Savannah Center and at the postal facility at Summerhill near the shuffleboard courts.

There are rats in TV ! ! Not many but they are here ! !

[nONIE]

If they are there,they will multiply! uggg >:(

[Muncle]

We have seen rats at the West side of the tunnel at Savannah Center and at the postal facility at Summerhill near the shuffleboard courts.

There are rats in TV ! ! Not many but they are here ! !

Yes, there are rats in TV. There are also feral cats and snakes, which tend to balance out the rats. Anywhere there are human beings, there are rats. They're like politician in that if there is anything at all on which they can forage, they'll be there.

I'm a bit concerned about Chacam's comment about rats being specifically on the west end of the Savannah tunnel. Is the implication that they are so big that they cannot pass thru the tunnels, and thus stay on one side only? That worries me a tad. Our tunnels down south are much larger and would likely accomodate even the largest of these rodents.

[graciegirl]

I am not listening. I have my hands over my ears. I am going to smack that lawn person. I don't want rats.

RATS!!!!!

[Boomer]

I almost did not click on this one because it is a particularly hideous subject. But now I have gone and done it, so here I am, creeped out with a really bad case of the willies. And I am reminded of something that I might as well tell you about.

About a month ago, I wrote about Carl Hiaasen's new book The Downhill Lie: A Hacker's Return to a Ruinous Sport. The book is about golf, mostly.

Of course, while I was writing about the new book, I felt the need to digress and so I confessed to all of you that Carl Hiaasen is one of those men with whom I am hopelessly in love. Just because he can sure turn a phrase. Ah, phrase turning, the ultimate aphrodisiac.

I don't know why I am always confessing these shameless loves of mine to all of you. But I just do. I have told you all about Charles Kuralt and me, and also about Judd Hirsch. But I only love Judd when he is being Alex on Taxi. But I am digressing again so it seems. Anyway, back to the rats. . .

In the book, my man Carl has included a chapter titled "Rodent Golf." It seems that a rat chewed the wiring in his Chevy Suburban. He said that his insurance company paid for the damage. He learned that rats in Florida consider automobile wiring to be delicious and that insurance claims are common.

As it turned out, later Carl found the rat's nest and he did battle with that devil rat and won. He used something called "the Momentus, basically a foreshortened 6-iron that's weighted heavily to build muscle strength. . .and it tips the scale at a formidable 40 ounces -- a full half pound heavier than Barry Bond's baseball bat." He went on to say that his swing was "more Lizzie Borden than Sam Snead."

Carl had bought this thing called the Momentus from an infomercial on the Golf Channel. After he smashed the rat, who had wickedly fought back, he said that he thought about writing a "sunny blurb for future infomercials: Forty ounces of rat-smashing power! I highly recommend the Momentus swing trainer for anyone trying to groove their golf swing or battle a stubborn vermin infestation."

You know, Carl Hiaasen lives in Florida.

You might want to stay up late and see if you can catch the number on that Golf Channel infomercial tonight.

Sweet dreams,
Boomer

[samhass]

Oh Boom..that was yucky!!!

[Muncle]

If you're going to follow Boomer's advice for rodent control, be very careful. I saw Hiaasen's description of his encounter with his pests and thought I'd follow suit with some gnawers around here. Unfortunately, I did not read it closely enough and instead of grabbing the Momentus Training Club that seems to weigh about 50 lbs, I grabbed the Medicus Dual-Hinged Training Club. The key to this infomercial jewel is that if you don't swing correctly, it kinda comes apart in your hands. Twelve stitches in the back of my head and the damned rat got away.

[Hancle704]

Rats are in TV for sure. Food dropped on ground around various eating establishments. Missed shots into waste baskets at mail stops also attracts them.

Various fruits from palm and citrus trees left to rot on ground are a major food supply.

Then there are foodstuffs left around the former buffalo enclosures, another source of rodent food.

Lastly all those uneaten birdseeds that fall to ground around the feeders folks have in their yards are frequently picked up by rats and mice. Nice thing about those bird feeders, after they attract rodents, the snakes and hawks follow.

Favorite nesting places for rodents are those huge clumps of pampas grass and shrubs.

Welcome to Florida. Mickey and Minnie aren't the only rodents in the State.

[uujudy]

Twelve stitches in the back of my head and the damned rat got away.


Hahahahahaha!LOL 1rnfl :a20: 1rnfl
I'm so sorry about your stitches, Muncle, but you have us both in stitches. We laughed so hard at your close encounter with the rat we had tears running down our faces! 1rnfl 1rnfl

[chuckinca]

Keep more feral cats around and don't worry about rats, mice, lizards, small snakes, yippy dogs, etc.

[samhass]

Muncle, I saw a big moccasin yesterday. He had a big thick body and was about 4' long.
Fourteen of us came back from dinner to find this guy in the yard. He stood his ground, too.
I went as close to him as I dared to look at his eyes and head. We finally went inside so he could leave. He was thick. I am not afraid of snakes at all, but he was impressive. He had 2 nicks on his back..like he had been run over or hit. He moved well despite his injuries.

[Boomer]

Munc,

I hope your head is all better. Maybe when you are completely recovered from the unfortunate accident, you can practice up and get really good at dueling with rats.

You could track down that vermin varmint and get him and then make him into a trophy for your wall. The first of many.

Then you can see about teaching a course in rat-bashing and smashing at the Life Long Learning College. They would line up, Munc. I know it.

You know, I took fencing long ago as a PE requirement at Miami (the one that was a university before Florida was a state) and I learned all about how to lunge and how to plunge. I bet you could get a DVD and practice those moves in front of a mirror.

Oh Munc, just think, the launch of your new career, foiling rats to the north of 466 and rats to the south of 466.

And then, Munc, just think, your very own infomercial. An infomercial for your very own DVD. $19.95. Who will give you $19.95, Munc? EVERYBODY!!!

Oh Munc, I could make you a star. You'll show that rat- :edit:.

Boomer

(Sam, when I went to post this to Munc, I got the red letter thing so I looked down and saw your post about the "thick" snake. Do you think that snake was full of rats he had for dinner?)

[Muncle]

You know, I took fencing long ago as a PE requirement at Miami (the one that was a university before Florida was a state) and I learned all about how to lunge and how to plunge. I bet you could get a DVD and practice those moves in front of a mirror.




Now Boomer, you know darn good and well, since we discussed it at length in other threads, that fencing is not allowed in TV, except those villas and the few ranches in Hemingway when the builder has already installed them. Whether you were trained in Miami or at the Mass Institute of Fences or even one of them foreign schools, you can't be building a fence around your home in TV. Now the plunging might be a big help, especially if you try to flush one of those rat or Sam's big moccasin. (Be honest. When you started reading her post about coming across a big moccasin with a big thick body, you thought she was going to say if was a neighbor's bedroom slipper.)

[Boomer]

No fencing, Munc?

Rats! Foiled again!

Goodnight,
Boomer

[mfp509]

I have seen what someone told me is a "sand rat" - they are bigger than a mouse, almost look like chinchilla. Sometimes one will run across the golf cart path from the shrubbery. I also heard that they live in the bushes that are like big clumps of grass - someone mentioned that earlier, too. My dog caught one as I was walking her one morning. I thought she was after a lizard until she turned around with this thing squealing in her mouth and I guess she thought I would like it.

[graciegirl]

We HAVE RATS. :(

We HAVE SNAKES. :(

WE have the wittiest and funniest writers in the universe. :#1:

You know who you are.

Sigh, I took fencing in school too Boom. I wasn't any good at that either. I could shout En garde with the best of them however!

[TomW]

Thurst. Parry. Thrust. Parry. That's all I remember from fencing in college. Dig holes, stretch wire, nail boards. That's all I remember from fencing on the farm.

I would think any place there is garbage, there will be rats. They don't hang out where there is nothing to eat. So make sure your home isn't providing food (outdoor pet feeder, birdseed, fallen fruit, open trash container, etc.) for unwelcome guests. After all, I might move into your neighborhood and I prefer it to be rat free.

[jtdraig]

Reminds me of a great story....about 15 years ago, or so, I led a team who had to review a start-up at Shenzen PRC about two hours north of Hong Kong via hydrofoil. To make a long story short, we checked into our hotel and as we went to our rooms, we noticed an old woman with a bamboo stick sitting in the hall. I asked. We were told that she was the "ratchatcher". In the middle of the night, we heard a loud yell, sort of a scream. Turned out that one of my team had ordered "in" so when he fell asleep he had bits of food in his bed. I guess he woke up and screamed which brought the ratcatcher who caught the rat which was stainding on his chest when he woke up. Next day, we checked out and headed back to Hong Kong to stay there while we commuted.

[Rokinronda]

3 1/2 years here and haven't seen a rat yet. Maybe the racer snake I have seen takes care of that around this area.

[GatorFan]

Roof Rats
Roof rats thrive in attics, roof spaces, palm trees, and ornamental shrubbery. They are climbers and prefer to nest off the ground. Roof rats are destructive to citrus groves, since they live in citrus trees and gnaw on the fruit. They can be quite destructive in attics, gnawing on electrical wires and rafters.
Roof rats generally prefer vegetables, fruits and grain; but they consume ½ to 1 ounce per day of food from various sources. Because they must have water to survive, roof rats also consume an ounce per day and will range 100-150 feet from harborages in search of water or food.

Color ranges from black to grizzled gray to tan with a light belly. The tail is longer than the combined head and body. Adults weight from ½ to pound. Their droppings are up to 1/2 inch long and spindle-shaped. Roof rats live about 1 year and reach sexual maturity in 3-5 months. They have 6-8 young per litter and up to 6 litters per year.

[graciegirl]

Roof Rats
Roof rats thrive in attics, roof spaces, palm trees, and ornamental shrubbery. They are climbers and prefer to nest off the ground. Roof rats are destructive to citrus groves, since they live in citrus trees and gnaw on the fruit. They can be quite destructive in attics, gnawing on electrical wires and rafters.
Roof rats generally prefer vegetables, fruits and grain; but they consume ½ to 1 ounce per day of food from various sources. Because they must have water to survive, roof rats also consume an ounce per day and will range 100-150 feet from harborages in search of water or food.

Color ranges from black to grizzled gray to tan with a light belly. The tail is longer than the combined head and body. Adults weight from ½ to pound. Their droppings are up to 1/2 inch long and spindle-shaped. Roof rats live about 1 year and reach sexual maturity in 3-5 months. They have 6-8 young per litter and up to 6 litters per year.




OH MY GAWD. >:(

[Sidney Lanier]

As was said already, if there are people, there are rats. But remember that 'rats' is a generic, and we may not necessarily be talking about river rats the size of beavers. There are little rats that anyone averse to using the word could describe them as 'large mice.' Truth is, if there's food around, there are scavengers as well. The woman who mows our lawn told us in abject horror the first time we met her that there's a snake living under a concrete pad behind our house that comes out on cool days to sun itself. We happen to like snakes and told her so (she shuddered); then we reminded her that the snakes will keep down the population of other creatures that we'd be less happy with. So, generically speaking, rats are inevitable; keep the areas around your home clear of food for them and you won't have them....

[Boomer]

I can't even stand mice, muchless rats. I would rather take my chances with a snake.

Before we moved to our geezer ranch, we had a barn. From time to time, Mr. Boomer would find a 6 feet long plus snakeskin there.

And every time he found one, Mr. Boomer would stride right back to the house, bearing that snakeskin, trying to make me run and scream fulfilling screams.

But I would just say, "Thank you, Mr. Blacksnake, Sir. You can change your clothes in my barn any ol' time. Just keep those :edit: mice away from me."

. . .although, every once in awhile, I would just run and scream fulfilling screams. Just for the heck of it.

Boomer

[mcelheny]

There is a hugh Rat running around the Ashland pool. :o I guess he/she has been there for a while. He is not shy. Everyone sees him. He trots around the pool and get pretty close to people. I wish someone would get him before he/she has a family and brings relatives. So if you want to take out a big rat...please be my guest.

[Sgt Mac]

Think about it
There is 60,000 + people that call The Villages home and it has been around for 40+ years

Now maybe 2 or 3 of them say that they have seen a Rat or Snake

So what
Sgt Mac

[mcelheny]

He watches me swim and I am afraid of him! ;D

[sandybill2]

Was at Churchill Family Pool yesterday. Overheard a conversation concerning voles---apparently they had seen 2 creatures outside the pool area--asked the rec center attendant and were told that they were voles and they had been unsuccessful trying to catch them. Their response was "OH MY,they are just like rats!!!" ---- NOT--just like Moles. However, there was lots of food consumption going on at the pool---McDonalds,etc., --and all sorts of snacks for the kiddies. Can understand how attractive that would be to any critter that might be passing by.

[blueeagle65]

I seriously doubt they live in palm trees, although that does paint a funny picture. They, however, do live on/around the Lopez golf course. The one we saw wasn't huge, but it sure wasn't a mouse! Ran right across the tee box in front of us and startled us all.

[Laura]

The rats do live in the palm trees, we call them Palm Rats. They especially like the palms that have ornamental grasses growing at the base. I see them all the time at the Poinciana mail station. Also, there was one in my neighbor's palm tree that made the mistake of coming down. Her golden stalked it, caught it and..... well, I'll skip the rest.
My experience is if you don't bother them they won't bother you.
Now that's just MY experience.
L.

[`willy]

I found a hole in my lanai screening. I thought the landscaper hit it with the mower, put a patch on it and planned to talk to the landscaper. Found another hole the next day.
I went to Home depot and purchased a Have a hart trap and low and behold I captured a
very large rat. It seems it was being attracted to BQ grill.

It now lives in the Ocala Forest, I hope it doesn't find its was back to the Villages

[chelsea24]

Hey Nance, I didn't want to say anything, but I thought I saw one when we had dinner that night. :o

[samhass]

Is that the same guy mc is concerned about?

[chelsea24]

Mc, does that rat at the swimming pool wear a speedo and walk around with a noodle chair? 1rnfl ;D

[villages07]

willy,

another good reason to keep your bbq grill outside the lanai.....it keeps the rats from coming inside.

[`willy]

BEWARE of summer kitchens

[mcelheny]

Hi guys,
I don't get a computer connection so I have to go to the library so please excuse my slow responses. Willy at the Asland pool seems to stay in the area and sometimes gets bored and goes to play next to the pool but he always stays in the area. I was raised in the country so I know about rats but Willy is bigger and not at all afraid of people. You can't hurt his feelings because I tried talking bad about him and he didn't care. If I owned the place I would be setting traps inside the pool area where no pets are allowed or throwing him a good-bye party !! I do love all animals but... Willy needs to move and not be so cheeky! ::)

[graciegirl]

OH Boy. Rats, snakes, Black Widow Spiders, Brown recluse Spiders, Pit Bulls, Buffalo, you hear about all of them right here on TOTV. Makes you wonder why we are all in such a rush to move to TV. I think it is because of scintillating characters that live there, like Fall in the NEVER ENDING STORY.... and the guy in the speedo. :dontknow:

[JohnM]

So if you want to take out a big rat...please be my guest.


Per VCCDD they are aware of this critter, have baited for it and, based upon these reports, will re-bait. If it reappears, let VCCDD know or post it here.

John

[Best Mom]

He might be gone! :)
Mc

[Best Mom]

I was wrong. There are still rats at the Ashland pool. There have been baits put around the outside, but at least two rats were sighted at the same time this morning. I talked to two different exterminators who came to the pool to use the bathroom and they both said that the Villages has stopped their full time rat exterminator :dontknow:. Now, they only respond to rat complaints on a call/complaint basis. Apparently, the one time visit to the pool area did not take care of the infestation.
Whoever can help with the situation, thanks.

[villages07]

Mc...

Have you and your fellow noodlers called it in to the customer service office again since the latest sighting? If they only respond on a call/complaint basis, keep calling.

[chelsea24]

Oh Mc that's awful! First, you couldn't pay me enough to go to that pool. I'd probably make a big sign and hang it near the entrance. "CLOSED DUE TO RAT INFESTATION!" I'm not kidding. Maybe that will get someone's attention. Do a lot of people go to that pool?

[dbucchi]

There also are rats or mice in The Village of Sunset Pointe. If there are rats running around that much in The Villages I think it's a big problem. Maybe its time to call the POA. Thats too many mice for me.

[Boomer]

Onmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!!!!!

YOU THINK YOU'VE GOT PROBLEMS!!!

Here I am in the kitchen. Starting to think about what to fix for supper. Geriatric dog sound asleep at my feet. Geriatric dog suddenly leaps. Yes, LEAPS to her feet. Runs to the patio door. Yes, RUNS. Geriatric dog is barking louder than she has barked in a very long time. Not a welcoming, tailwagger of a bark. A serious bark. I follow her to the door.

AND AMBLING ACROSS MY PATIO, EVEN AS WE SPEAK, IS A BIG OL' SNAPPING TURTLE.

That's right.

And Mr. Boomer is not home right now.

And those snapping turtles have long, long necks.

And I don't know where the snow shovel is in July. That was the first implement that came to mind. You know, to use to pick the snapping turtle up. To transport the snapping turtle.

BUT TO WHERE WOULD I BE TRANSPORTING THIS CREATURE???

(I just looked again. The snapping turtle is no longer on the patio. But my beautiful limelight hydrangeas are moving, moving, moving. THERE IS NO BREEZE OUT THERE.)

:edit: :edit: :edit: Mr. Boomer will not be home until after 6:00. :edit: :edit: :edit:

You know what? Maybe Mr. Boomer will just be getting some homemade soup for supper.

Boomer

[Best Mom]

Good idea. I am traveling out of here next weekend. I am basically a snowbird. The poor POA... but the Villages need to always be fighting rodents. Getting rid of a full time exterminator was not a good idea. If you know about Rats...they are always out there but if you fight them you can control them.They aren't eatting around the deck of a pool with people in the pool!!! :o

[Boomer]

Will the POA come to Ohio and get this :edit: snapping turtle?

Boomer

[jadebox]

There also are rats or mice in The Village of Sunset Pointe. If there are rats running around that much in The Villages I think it's a big problem. Maybe its time to call the POA. Thats too many mice for me.

YES call the POA!!! They will be sure to save us all. For months we will hear how TVis being taken over by giant rats AND the developer won't do a thing to protect us.

[Muncle]

YES call the POA!!! They will be sure to save us all. For months we will hear how TVis being taken over by giant rats AND the developer won't do a thing to protect us.

And their monthly rag will be replete with exterminator ads.