[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by benj

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

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.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by mcelheny

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. ...

Well said Mac.

[Lil Dancer]

Originally Posted by mcelheny

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. ...

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.

[travelstiles]

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 - doesn't look safe to me, as I've seen how quickly RJ and Ali can move!

[Best Mom]

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

[renielarson]

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.

[Best Mom]

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

[Best Mom]

Brightspot,
393 have viewed this thread.

[renielarson]

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?

[renielarson]

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.

[renielarson]

Complaining gets you nowhere...

Action does!

[Best Mom]

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!

[renielarson]

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?

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by conn8757

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.

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

[zcaveman]

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.