Rats and Alligators
 

We are still fighting rats running around the mailboxes and pool at Ashland. Now this AM we were watching an alligator swimming in the retention pond near the pool. People in the pool said there are three alligators in there. The Villages use to take them out but that is another service they have cut. :dontknow:
Just be very careful with small dogs etc. I guess the wild cats have been made into gator food. The birds and ducks have disappeared too.!

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From what I've heard, TV still removes gators out of the ponds. I know there was one in Tall Trees and my friends and their neighbors were asked to watch to see if the gator ate the bait and got caught. Somehow, the gator left the pond via one of the pipes, so there was no need to watch the trap. But TV was very good about calling a trapper to remove the gator -- he was out there within the week of the initial call. This was within the past month.

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Red,
I hope you are right. We definitely have gators around the Ashland pool.
Two different men at the pool told me they aren't pulling them out. :dontknow:
I will let you know if I keep seeing the gators!

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We have a gator or two in the pond behind our home (Virginia Trace), one being at least 10 feet long. At first I was really scared about them, but we do have a retaining wall and fence, and the gators seem to just want to swim and occasionally sun themselves. Neither has left the shore of the pond.
However, when they visit, the birds and ducks won't wade into the waters - that's how we know they're around. I now enjoy seeing all of the wildlife, including the two gators, whom we've named RJ and Ali Gator. And our guests always look for them when they visit.
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/h...g?t=1215706125
Mr & Mrs Travel and Ali Gator

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What's wrong with having gators??? We have many in my village and I love watching them.
They were here before we were and as long as they aren't attacking anyone we should leave them alone. If they are over a certain length, I think they are removed. I,for one ,love seeing them glide across the lake. This is Florida. They live here. The buffs are gone. Next the gators..then the snapping turtles, then how do we get rid of the snakes?
Maybe people that hate all these creatures should relocate to places with less wildlife. Florida is a wild state in terms of critters that may not be friendly. We have bears, gators, monster wild hogs, five poisonous species of snakes and some big cats, as well.
I think the wildlife is wonderful. Guess that's why there's chocolate and vanilla. If you like vanilla, why would you go to a place that only has chocolate??

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Sam,
I love gators. I also love baby ducks, shore birds, cats , little dogs and little people. I just said that be careful . Gators are known to eat other little animals ! ::)
In the past 3 winters, they had put the gators back in Lake Miona, away from the Ashland pond. Many, many people walked their little dogs around the lake. When the sail boaters are here twice a week, even little grandchildren walk up to the pond. People just need to be careful.

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Sam,
I am country to the bone! I love all animals.
Mc

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Boy, Mr. and Mrs. Travel being that close to Ali Gator we could have been calling you Mr. and Mrs. Ali Gator.

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Travel.
That is a great picture! :o
Mc

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I just can't help it. I think I am hijacking again. Well, not exactly. But sort of. Maybe.

Anyway, this is for those of you who have little grandchildren. My grandchildren are teenagers now. (I am actually quite young. Yeah, that's it. I was a grandmothering prodigy.)

Anyway, I always taught my grandchildren songs when they were little. Included in my repertoire was the ever popular "Stewball was a racehorse, and I wish he were mine. He never drank water. He always drank wine." . . .

I digress. Back to my point.

Here is a song that I knew long before the Muppets did. And my darling grandchildren knew all the words. Still do I'm sure.

And while I know this song is all about a crocodile and not an alligator, it's close enough. And kids love the song. And so do I. So hit this link if you want to smile -- or not. And try not to think about what's happening to all those -- uh, -- oops! -- uh, frogs!

(And, btw, that snapping turtle that I was telling you all about yesterday that was on my Ohio patio -- well, Mr. Boomer Dundee came home and relocated it to a nearby creek where I hope he is living happily ever after. The snapping turtle, not Mr. Boomer Dundee.)

Anyway, if you have little grandchildren, you just have to hit this link. You'll be glad you did. And so will they.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVWuAyWWuAU

Boomer

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Boomer - I just watched and listened and went back in time about 55 years to remember that song. I had it on a record (remember them). Now I know I will not get that "never smile at a crocodile" song out of my head the rest of the day. Thanks for the memories.

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That is quite an.....arresting picture....I am a yankee and stupid as H...., but is that safe...I mean being so close???? :o

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If I moved to Michigan and knew they had Opposum and Hawks there, I would not think that the developer of the neighborhood to which I moved was responsible for removing them. NOW I know that oppossum and Hawks are not the same as Alligators and Rats, but it does seem to be the same principal, or am I wrong?

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graciegil, I'm not a yankee and probably stupid as h... but that croc sure looks fake to me.

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Yes - you are missing the point. As people who have lived in Ashland can tell you -we have never seen rats on our pool deck before because the Villages had a full time exterminator. Yes- there are rats everyplace but when they move in with humans it becomes a health hazard. This is a service the Villages has had in the past, which means they felt it was a necessity then, so why would it change now? No other animal carries and spreads disease like rats, and they are an indication that waste is not being properly handled. As for alligators, they surely are a natural fixture of Florida. Housing developments are not. A predator like an alligator poses a more dangerous threat to humans than possums or hawks. This pond is frequented by model boat clubs, their observers, and pet owners. Few ponds are used by humans as much as this one, so The Villages has in the past cleared any alligators that have been present. Again, this is a change in policy, probably due to cost and owner cut-backs. ... :)

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Whew.......................I am so glad to hear that it is fake. I admit. I used to be blonde, but I thought I had gotten over it.

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Well said Mac.

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Well said, mcelheny. Particularly during mating season, the gators can be quite dangerous. I'm an animal lover too, but I agree its best to re-locate the gators to areas where there will be less potential human interaction. As far as rats, it does not appear they are in the same category as hawks. This is what an Orlando exterminator says about Florida rats:
Florida Rat info: The most common nuisance rats are the Norway Rat, also known as the Brown Rat, and the Black Rat, also known as the Roof Rat. Down here in Florida, the Roof Rat dominates. Many Orlando residents refer to them as Fruit Rats or Citrus Rats. Rats are commonly associated with urban areas, but in Florida, they survive in the wild just fine. They will go wherever they can find food and shelter, and that often includes buildings. Although they may look large, they need only a tiny hole (the size of a quarter) to fit through. Roof rats will consume many different types of plant and animal foods such as insects, fruits, grains, pet food that has been left outdoors, and almost any food in your house. They also contaminate food with their urine and feces. Rats are well-known carriers of many different diseases, and it has been reported that rats bite more than fifteen thousand people per year including the very young, and old. Rats are primarily nocturnal. Roof rats tend to live most of their lives high off the ground, and they love to live in attics. Even though they often live for less than a year, they can breed in large quantities.

Re: Rats and Alligators
 

This reminds me of the Buffalo discussion.
Alligators, like buffalo, are not domesticated and adults need to use common sense and be cautious around them.
What I find surprising is that in The Villages Newcomer's Guide there is a picture of 2 young boys fishing with an adult, and the boys are ankle-deep in the pond :o - doesn't look safe to me, as I've seen how quickly RJ and Ali can move!

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/h...neworleans.jpg

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Travel and Lil Dancer,
Both your posts make a great deal of sense. :agree:

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I'm not being mean and I say this honestly...

Posting your concerns here won't do a darn thing. You have to become an activist and using Tony's acceptable word...

scat (scatology?) or get off the pot!

I know scatology isn't the correct usage but it's late and you get the drift....

Don't waste your time venting here...DO SOMETHING...don't take NO for an answer and try to right the wrong you feel is happening.

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Brightspot,
I disagree. Many people have viewed this post and people have been called. I want others to know what is going on...

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Brightspot,
393 have viewed this thread.

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People's awareness is not going to solve the issue Mc. You need to take the bull by the horns.

And...what does it matter how many have viewed this thread?

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As a teacher you should know that it doesn't matter how many other teachers agree with you...

It's how you can convince the administration and how you can get the job done.

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Complaining gets you nowhere...

Action does!

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Brightspot,
1633 viewed the other rats post.!!! :)
What bull are you talking about.?? :dontknow:
POA has been notified.
The Villages have been called.
Bait has been set again around the pool. :)
I just want others to know what is happening.
This blog gets it out there. I also have talked about it at the Rainy Chicks group.
Girl...my life is good. :bigthumbsup:
This in not a make or break for me. I just want people to be aware.
I know about bulls, I don't try to grab no bull! :o

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Simmer down Mc

I'm only saying....fight for what you believe

Go beyond this forum....

Calling the Villages won't solve your problem....

You are a smart lady...blogs get it out there but that won't solve your problem...you know that!

Come on...stop this complaining on the forum...get moving

by the way....did I mention bull somewhere?

Re: Rats and Alligators
 

Hi conn8757,

I am glad you liked the song. I know what you mean to have a song stuck in your head. Have you ever heard the name for having that happen? Earworm.

And yes, I, too, had one of those record players. I guess that's what got a lot of us boomers started with our music. And now we have our iPods.

I am going to move this song over to the "Animal Songs" thread that someone started. I knew it did not really belong in here, but I could not resist the hijacking today. Or semi-hijacking or whatever it is. Well, actually, I thought it sort of belonged in here. And it is fun.

I use an exercise ball for a desk chair. So sometimes I bounce around when I am writing this stuff. And when I thought about the song and found it, I just had to play it a couple of times. It has a good beat and you can bounce to it.

Anyway, I hope you will come along to the "Animal Songs" thread and find some more memories there.

Seeya later, Alligator.

Boomer

Re: Rats and Alligators
 

MC - the numbers of viewers do not express an interest in the post - just curiosity. i have viewed this post several times and not replied,

Personally I think that all gators should be relocated to safer areas to protect them and us in TV. When ever someone calls about a nuisance gator it is trapped and killed. Only because some idiot decided that the gator was cute and should be fed or petted.

Gators are predators and will eat anything that comes near them and :edit: them off. Keep the children and pets away from the lakes/ponds. Golfers think that the $1.25 golf ball is priceless and will go down to the water and start sticking their club in the weeds and reeds. Besides the gators this :edit: off the unfriendly snakes.

As for the rats, maybe you should put up a sign to make sure that everyone puts their food and soda trash into the trash containers to reduce the food that the rats are there for.

As mentioned in several posts the rats can be found almost every place in TV. I see them at Walnut Grove, El Santiago, Hawkes Bay. I see them crossing the cart path on Buena Vista.

I understand your concern. I also agree that maybe the POA could be a responsible area to cover your concern - especially if they removed the full time exterminator.

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AND MAKE IT SNAPPY ! ! !

LMAO

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Bright,
You don't know what you are talking about...Yes, you talk about taking the bull by the horns....what the hell are you talking about???
I will post and vent on here anytime I want! You do!
I am going to bed because your posts have been a waste of time.
Good Night!

Re: Rats and Alligators
 

Mc and bright You guys are giving me a complex. CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG. I tell all of my clients "if you cant take a joke just call someone else". As far as I'm concerned everyones opinion is as good as anyone else's, jokes, complaining, happy talk or whatever.

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Hey Boomer ~
Speaking of animal songs, have a listen to this clip - every time I look out our back window into the pond and see RJ or Ali, I think of this song. Another one you just can't get out of your head..Tony Joe White, Polk Salad Annie (the gator's got your grannie)! I hope they don't take my wildlife away!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fRF24LY5pvw

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Mc

You need to calm down...relax

And Mc...don't get so upset when I (or anyone else) tries to give you advice.

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Bridght,
You need to stop telling me not to post and what to do....plus I just read what you said to Barb.
Benj,
I totally agree....
Zcaveman,
You sound so sweet...I hope I meet you some day. And Thanks!!
As Travel said...you can't have people putting their hands in the water with their boats and people fishing in a lake with alligators. I love the gators and I just was explaining there seems to a change from the last 5 years. That't what people told me. I have taken action. I hope the rat bait will work. But it is not a life or death matter to me. Bright's only point is I should stop posting...Lord knows I should! ;D

Re: Rats and Alligators
 

Chuck! Travel! I FOUND MY PEOPLE!!!! And just when I was wondering what in the heck I was doing in this thread. And I was getting ready to pack up my song and leave. Well, I just might stay here now. :duck:

You'll click on my song and bounce along with me, won't you? (You really might like using an exercise ball for a desk chair. You can bounce and write at the same time. It's fun.)

Hey, Travel, I bounced along with your song. I had forgotten all about that one.

And Chuck, "Make it snappy." :bow:

Boomer

Re: Rats and Alligators
 

Mc ~
Listen to the you-tube clip I posted earlier. It will make you laugh and you'll sleep better. A good laugh works every time!
Have a good evening ~
Travel

BTW, I found a website on aligators and they eat rats, so it looks like the problem may solve itself...

Re: Rats and Alligators
 

Never said that Mc

I said posting here won't solve your problem

Feel free to post all you want...but...it won't get your problem solved.

And...what did I say to Barb that has anything to do with your rat problem and alligator concerns?

Re: Rats and Alligators
 

Good Night All :)
Life is good. :bigthumbsup: