[graciegirl]

I saw something that looked like a rat or a very large mouse in the pine straw under a palm tree in the golf cart parking area at Truman Golf course.

That is the only time that I personally have seen a rat. I have smelled a rat on this forum from time to time, but I was told it was something else.

[KathieI]

I've seen 2 rats this week. Last one was Sunday, in Colony Plaza, he ran across the parking lot into a bush. The second was earlier this week, behind a restaurant in Spanish Springs. I thought I was seeing things, until I read this thread and saw the 2nd one. They look shorter and rounder than the ones I remember from SoCal that lived in the palm trees. I wondered the same thing, is it mating season and/or did the developer stop using an exterminator to control these critters.

I'm not panicked about it, I have 2 schnauzers and they are ratters, however, they haven't caught one mouse in my house yet, and I've had a few.... Spoiled brats they are!!

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by KathieI

I've seen 2 rats this week. Last one was Sunday, in Colony Plaza, he ran across the parking lot into a bush. The second was earlier this week, behind a restaurant in Spanish Springs. I thought I was seeing things, until I read this thread and saw the 2nd one. They look shorter and rounder than the ones I remember from SoCal that lived in the palm trees. I wondered the same thing, is it mating season and/or did the developer stop using an exterminator to control these critters.

I'm not panicked about it, I have 2 schnauzers and they are ratters, however, they haven't caught one mouse in my house yet, and I've had a few.... Spoiled brats they are!!

My husband said the body of a roof rat or citrus rat is approx. 6 inches and with the tail it was 9 or 10 inches, which is much smaller than a Norway rat such as found in Boston, New York City, all cities.....in sewers, farming areas, across the country...........typical ship rats. We saw one on the road in Saint Augustine that the total length, body and tail , was a good 18 inches or larger, maybe even 24, but it was BIG.

The ones in Venice were dark brown or blackish. Not grey.

Now in Vermont we have lots of field mice that seek to come into warm homes in the autumn months........they are about 2 to 4 inches....they come in various colors, tan and grey, dark brown and light brown. You'd never confuse them with a rat. People set traps in their garages to discourage their entry into the house. My husband said he would set a trap in TV in the garage. Another poster, earlier, said NOT to grill in the lanai as they can tear through the screen when they smell the food. Her husband set a trap to catch the critter.

p.s. My husband just suggested that if the Homeowners Association raised everyone in TV by $5 a month, they'd have plenty of money to hire a crew of ten, buy all the necessary poisons to handle this rodent issue and keep everyone happy..........We sold our Venice beachfront condo in 1995, however, recently have noticed that all condos now come with "pest control" as part of the Homeowners fees, etc.
It wasn't part of the deal back then. He still recalls the fisherman pulling out rats from the the waterway down by the Venice Jetties.......they would cast with a lure and catch rats for "sport" every night. There were vacation homes on this waterway.........LETS JUST SAY IT WAS DIFFERENT TO US. To deny their existence is foolhardy.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

My husband said the body of a roof rat or citrus rat is approx. 6 inches and with the tail it was 9 or 10 inches, which is much smaller than a Norway rat such as found in Boston, New York City, all cities.....in sewers, farming areas, across the country...........typical ship rats. We saw one on the road in Saint Augustine that the total length, body and tail , was a good 18 inches or larger, maybe even 24, but it was BIG.

The ones in Venice were dark brown or blackish. Not grey.

Now in Vermont we have lots of field mice that seek to come into warm homes in the autumn months........they are about 2 to 4 inches....they come in various colors, tan and grey, dark brown and light brown. You'd never confuse them with a rat. People set traps in their garages to discourage their entry into the house. My husband said he would set a trap in TV in the garage. Another poster, earlier, said NOT to grill in the lanai as they can tear through the screen when they smell the food. Her husband set a trap to catch the critter.

p.s. My husband just suggested that if the Homeowners Association raised everyone in TV by $5 a month, they'd have plenty of money to hire a crew of ten, buy all the necessary poisons to handle this rodent issue and keep everyone happy..........We sold our Venice beachfront condo in 1995, however, recently have noticed that all condos now come with "pest control" as part of the Homeowners fees, etc.
It wasn't part of the deal back then. He still recalls the fisherman pulling out rats from the the waterway down by the Venice Jetties.......they would cast with a lure and catch rats for "sport" every night. There were vacation homes on this waterway.........LETS JUST SAY IT WAS DIFFERENT TO US. To deny their existence is foolhardy.

There is not a Homeowners Association in TV.

[mulligan]

And we can thank our lucky stars for that!!!!

[chuckster]

I'll second that..........

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

There is not a Homeowners Association in TV.

Well, then to whomever we would pay our "fees" for garbage removal, and so forth.....general upkeep of the grounds of TV.

Must be some group.

Perhaps it would be paid to the same place that we would pay the ammenities fees to.

What he meant was that it could be a small amount shared by all to exterminate whatever vermin do exist and to stop their growth.

In a condo it would be the HO Association. That is what I was referring to. 16 years ago there was no pest control "fees". Now there are.
Meaning...........they addressed the problem and at least are trying to eradicate it. TV could do the same......whoever the "powers that be" are.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

senior, here's a link from www.districtgov.org that should help answer your questions:

http://www.districtgov.org/faq.aspx

Bill

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

Well, then to whomever we would pay our "fees" for garbage removal, and so forth.....general upkeep of the grounds of TV.

Must be some group.

Perhaps it would be paid to the same place that we would pay the ammenities fees to.

What he meant was that it could be a small amount shared by all to exterminate whatever vermin do exist and to stop their growth.

In a condo it would be the HO Association. That is what I was referring to. 16 years ago there was no pest control "fees". Now there are.
Meaning...........they addressed the problem and at least are trying to eradicate it. TV could do the same......whoever the "powers that be" are.

Senior, Have you made that first trip here yet to see how this place looks and works? It is so much fun, if you haven't done it, you will love it, and it is an eye opener for sure. There isn't any place to my way of thinking that even comes close to how great it is, and how well maintained. It is the CDD form of government, where the people who live here do not have a direct vote in affecting change, but so far to me at least, I like everything the way it is.

I think that there is no rat problem. There are probably wild ones here and there and maybe they are trotting around colony parking lot because all their natural habitat just across the street has recently been stirred up and really destroyed making the way for new homes. Kathie saw some there and that may be the reason....or they may have hitched a ride on a truck from some highly poplulated urban area up north, but I sincerely doubt it. We DO have a lot of sandhill cranes, mourning doves, geckos, fire ants, blue herons, and alligators hanging around, not to mention the sweet furry dogs who lead their owners up and down the streets.

I can't remember reading Senior that you had made a visit yet, but I may have missed it. I am sure you will love it here.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Senior, Have you made that first trip here yet to see how this place looks and works? It is so much fun, if you haven't done it, you will love it, and it is an eye opener for sure. There isn't any place to my way of thinking that even comes close to how great it is, and how well maintained. It is the CDD form of government, where the people who live here do not have a direct vote in affecting change, but so far to me at least, I like everything the way it is.

I think that there is no rat problem. There are probably wild ones here and there and maybe they are trotting around colony parking lot because all their natural habitat just across the street has recently been stirred up and really destroyed making the way for new homes. Kathie saw some there and that may be the reason....or they may have hitched a ride on a truck from some highly poplulated urban area up north, but I sincerely doubt it. We DO have a lot of sandhill cranes, mourning doves, geckos, fire ants, blue herons, and alligators hanging around, not to mention the sweet furry dogs who lead their owners up and down the streets.

I can't remember reading Senior that you had made a visit yet, but I may have missed it. I am sure you will love it here.

Thank you Gracie.......and believe it or not, we are finally on our way at the end of this year.

The "sighted rats" are no doubt stirred up and "relocated" when the new neighborhoods go in. 50 years ago, the land TV sits on now, surely must have been horse farms, general farming lands and just rural Florida. I'm certain the critters were here long before any of us........(I mean their ancestors).

Our daughter in law was raised on a horse / cattle farm in Oregon and relates how she would shoot rattlesnakes with a shot gun. Critters were in the barns and such.

Where ever there are animals, farms, "feed", etc. there will be "critters".

I'm not using that other word anymore, since it seems to evoke such disdain.

If The Villages did not appear to be such a lovely place with such great folks, we never would be researching it in the first place. Thanks again.

Believe it or not, Vermont has "farm" rats as well......much bigger than those citrus rats.......oops, critters......but as one other poster said, they are nocturnal, and definitely not seen running around, which would give anyone the creeps. No one would be ostracized for calling a "critter" to someone's attention up here. Everyone would want them exterminated pronto.

Up until 16 years ago, "critters" never once entered my thought pattern.
But the experience made us "think" that they are indeed around.

They are all over, in every state, city, and rural area.

Not to worry. Hubby is a good hunter. Three years ago he caught at least two dozen (or more) huge groundhogs / woodchucks, which are much bigger, much more ornery, etc. in our have a heart trap and "relocated" them to the forest.

We had a literal groundhog invasion for several summers , until we tore up their habitat, their underground tunnels and "rooms" right off our back patio........had it all excavated, put on a deck and new low evergreens that they could not hide within..............didn't see a single one until this spring......he transported "it" away also.........and we put in sonar? thingies and mothballs which seem to repel these critters...............but still see the red fox walking up and down the road.

We are used to all types of wildlife........just don't want them running around on our property....or getting into our home. A family of deer cross through our backyard all the time........looking for apples. This area used to be apple orchards. Nuff said. I do believe the posters who saw the critters.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Welcome Patlyn.

Are you someone who used to be someone else or are you someone who plays in front of rats? Do they hit into you?

Patlyn. I apologize, someone on this forum who I just absolutely love and respect has pointed out that I have been rude to you in asking if you had changed names. I honestly, did NOT think of it as being rude, until she said so. I think that a lot of people come on with new names from time to time, and I see no harm in it. I was just wondering if you had a new name, or if you were someone who used to post a long time ago and had some sad or angry interchange. I will not ask anyone new again the same question. I would not have done it at all, if I thought it was rude. Tony called me for it some time ago, and frankly I was confused and discouraged as to why he did. But now since someone I know well, and respect completely has pointed out I should not question new posters, I will not do it again. EVER.

Bump...I am sorry Patlyn.

[Whatever]

What you are seeing is the Village Vole which resembles a mouse and/or rat and are quite prolific. They are also a favorite food of most of the other wildlife we have in The Villages. Primarily, they are the favorite food of snakes,owls, hawks and coyotes. IMO pehaps we ought have the VCDD invest in purchasing some additional snakes, and release them into our most overrun villages so as to feed upon the rodents and keep them under control. They, the voles, have about 4 litters a year and grow exponentially.

Next year we can discuss getting rid of the snakes.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Bill-n-Brillo

senior, here's a link from www.districtgov.org that should help answer your questions:

http://www.districtgov.org/faq.aspx

Bill

THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just printed out the pages from both hyperlinks above, to read at our leisure.

Last month our daughter in law alerted us to a book that was shown on the front page of this forum, referring to all the rules and regulations, thinking we better be prepared.........at the time I told her that we pretty much understood what TV was all about.......and in our opinion, the majority of those rules and regulations were to actually protect the homeowners, their property and keep the place looking as good as it obviously does.

Up here in New England, zoning is pretty lax and whether in Vermont, New Hampshire or Maine, people can pretty much do what they want on their own properties........for good or ill. We've experienced both sides of the coin, so to speak. This is why we do our research to make sure.

Home studios and / or businesses are allowed in New England.
People can have as many vehicles as they want parked all over their own properties, whether it is an eyesore or not.......basically, anything goes.
Each man's home is his castle. Again, there are downsides to all of this.

However, in New Hampshire in particular and also amongst the old Maniacs, Vermonters, etc........freedom of speech is paramount.

We respect them for that......having lived here for well over 42 years after spending our first 20 something years in New Jersey, in the city and suburbs..........so we do have a frame of reference as to where the rules and regulations were (Venice, Florida) as opposed to say Vermont.

We had remodeled a condo on the beach, top to toe, attended our first Home Owners Association meeting at which we were the only 49 year olds........and simply asked if we could install a stackable washer and dryer in our condo unit while remodeling the kitchen.

You'd think we wanted to land an alien U.F.O. on the roof.

They wouldn't even "listen" when we explained that it was difficult to go up and down the elevators with my early stage Alzheimer Mom in tow, carrying the laundry to the designated laundry rooms (every other floor).

It was just the little things that made us happy to be back in a normal house again.

It would be a house and not a condo situation, this time around.
THANK YOU; WE WILL READ THE LAWS OF TV.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just printed out the pages from both hyperlinks above, to read at our leisure.

Last month our daughter in law alerted us to a book that was shown on the front page of this forum, referring to all the rules and regulations, thinking we better be prepared.........at the time I told her that we pretty much understood what TV was all about.......and in our opinion, the majority of those rules and regulations were to actually protect the homeowners, their property and keep the place looking as good as it obviously does.

Up here in New England, zoning is pretty lax and whether in Vermont, New Hampshire or Maine, people can pretty much do what they want on their own properties........for good or ill. We've experienced both sides of the coin, so to speak. This is why we do our research first.


Home studios and / or businesses are allowed in New England.
People can have as many vehicles as they want parked all over their own properties, whether it is an eyesore or not.......basically, anything goes.
Each man's home is his castle. Again, there are downsides to all of this.

However, in New Hampshire in particular and also amongst the old Maniacs, Vermonters, etc........freedom of speech is paramount.

We respect them for that......having lived here for well over 42 years after spending our first 20 something years in New Jersey, in the city and suburbs..........so we do have a frame of reference as to where the rules and regulations were (Venice, Florida) as opposed to say Vermont.

We had remodeled a condo on the beach, top to toe, attended our first Home Owners Association meeting at which we were the only 49 year olds........and simply asked if we could install a stackable washer and dryer in our condo unit while remodeling the kitchen.

You'd think we wanted to land an alien U.F.O. on the roof.

They wouldn't even "listen" when we explained that it was difficult to go up and down the elevators with my early stage Alzheimer Mom in tow, carrying the laundry to the designated laundry rooms (every other floor).

It was just the little things that made us happy to be back in a normal house again.

It would be a house and not a condo situation, this time around.
THANK YOU; WE WILL READ THE LAWS OF TV.

Oh Senior, wait until the first time you really come here and see this place with your own eyes..
Senior...reading is one thing, but NOTHING is like your first sojourn down the streets of TV...and I have said this before, each time we return from the "outside" and enter the greenness, the lushness, the perfectly paintedness, the prettiness, the plantedness, the sweet waving peopleness of TV, the colors brighten, the music comes on and the sun shines brilliantly.

It is just like when the color came on in the Wizard of Oz.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

Nuff said. .

Amen.