| Newsletter -> News - Rodents Bayer Environmental Science in Sub Saharan Africa has experienced in general business activity, a relatively slower first six months in 2004 compared to 2003. BAYER ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE news |
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Bayer Environmental Science in Sub Saharan Africa has experienced in general business activity, a relatively slower first six months in 2004 compared to 2003. This has not necessarily come as a surprise after the hectic but successful merger experienced during beginning 2003. Bayer Environmental Science has the solution to your rat problem wherever it occurs. The secret is to use the correct bait form to suit the circumstances in which the rodent infestation occurs so that the rodent is attracted to ingest a lethal dose. Bayer offers the widest formulation range of Pellets, Wax Blocks, Liquid Bait, Paste and Tracking Powder. | |
| BES news Science - Service - Solutions | |
| Plague The “Great Plague” of London killed half the city’s population. In the 14th Century, the “Black Death” of Europe lasted 50 years and killed 25 million people. In the first quarter of the last century, an estimated 11 million people died in Asia from plague. The pathogen is transmitted to people primarily by the oriental rat flea. The flea bites an infected rat, and then, by feeding on humans, inoculates people with the bacteria that cause the disease. Although no global outbreak of plague has occurred since 1924, this is not a disease of the past. Plague still exists in several areas of the world. Murine typhus fever Murine typhus is a relatively mild disease in humans. As with plague, murine typhus is transmitted from rats to humans by a rat flea. In this case, however the disease organism enters the bloodstream when feces of infected fleas are scratched into a flea bite. | |
| Valuables | |
| Rodents cause extensive damage all over the world because they destroy both human food and feed for animals. Both rats and mice are responsible for these kinds of losses. The damage rodents cause is not just a loss of food. The animals gnaw and contaminate goods and make them un-appetizing and unsaleable (three times the amount of stored products eaten by rodents is contaminated by them). If rats or mice gnaw one tiny hole in a sack of grain, the entire contents can no longer be eaten by people and at best can only be used for animal feed. Rodents destroy other materials, too, even plastics (electric cables) or metal. Add to that the damage they cause before harvest, e.g., in rice, corn and coconut fields. Certain rodents have spread throughout all continents as a result of global trade and the movement of goods. Three key species are the most significant pests: the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), the black rat (Rattus rattus) and the house mouse (Mus musculus). These rodents are not only found in the tropics (where they came from), they are also found in temperate and cold climates. There, they have followed human civilization and permanently live in human homes (black rat, house mouse) or move in during colder months (Norway rat). Poorly built buildings are open invitation for these rodents. They enter apartments, animal stalls or storerooms through cracks and openings to search for food. Rodents are intelligent animals that can adapt well to new circumstances. But they are very wary of changes in their territory. | |
| RODENT CONTROL: Racumin® Range | |
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Visage
Facing Facts There are three main rodent pest species in South Africa:
Appearance Large and robust, weighs up to 500g, stub nose, small ears and eyes, short scruffy coat, back brown, stomach gray to white, relatively short tail Food/water Eats everything incl. meat, large amounts in one sitting, drinks water or eats foods with high water content Agility, swimming ability, size of territory Not very agile, climbs if necessary, swims well, territory is very large (up to 100 meters) Reproduction Sexually mature in 2-3 months, 8-12 offspring per litter, up to 7 litters per year, life expectancy 9-12 months Black rat (Rattus rattus) Appearance Smaller and thinner, weighs up to 200g, pointy nose, large eyes and ears, relatively long tail, smoother coat, gray to black Food/water Eats mostly vegetable foods, large amounts in one sitting, can go a long time without water Agility, swimming ability, size of territory Agile and flexible, likes to climb and climbs well, can swim but avoids water, large territory (15–30 meters) Reproduction Sexually mature in 2-3 months, 6–10 offspring per litter, up to 6 litters per year, life expectancy 9–12 months House mouse (Mus musculus) Appearance Small and thin, weighs up to 15g, pointy nose, large ears and small eyes, longer tail Food/water Prefers grain, eats small amounts at a time, generally only draws water from food sources Agility, swimming ability, size of territory Agile and a good climber, can swim, small territory (3 – 6 meters), highly territorial Reproduction Sexually mature in 1.5 months, 5–6 offspring per litter, up to 8 litters per year, life expectancy 9–12 months | |
| Q’s & A’s: | |
Q:How many diseases gets carried and transmitted by rats to man?
A:Rats carry 18 different parasites and can transmit 35 communicable diseases to man. PCO only | |
| Correspond | |
| Any Suggestions, Questions, Feedback | Please write in to : The Editor, Bayer Environmental Science News, PO Box 143, Isando, 1600 Fax : 011 921-5754 ; email: noleen.meyer@bayercropscience.com www.bayeres.co.za |
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