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Monday, August 8, 2011

Rats and Snakes

WHERE THE RATS ARE


 
Because of the danger of rat infestation, use caution entering buildings and debries:

 
¨ Carry a solid club and a flashlight.

 
¨ Inspect likely hiding places for rats.

Check
  •          closets
  •          drawers
  •          mattresses
  •          appliances
  •          upholstered furniture
  •         stacks of clothes or paper
  •         dark corners
  •         attics and basements.

 
¨Be extremely careful when approaching rats. They may be aggressive.

 
CONTROLLING RATS

 
If rats continue to be a problem after.

To minimize rat problems:

 
  •  Remove trash piles and piles of damaged furniture or equipment. 
  • Store materials on platforms or shelves 12 to 18 inches above the ground. 
  • Remove food sources. Store food supplies in rat-proof bins or containers.
  • Suspend garbage containers from trees or posts.
  •  Remove animal/Human Remains carcasses, as they may attract rats.
 If you are bitten by a rat, wash the wound with soap and water andsee a doctor immediately. Rats may carry diseases and at the least, rat bites can cause infection. 

When picking up a carcass, use the inside of a plastic bag to avoid touching it, and burn it.


 
INSPECTING FOR SNAKES

 
It is important to know what poisonous snakes may be common to your area. Non-poisonous snakes, however, are common and may bite. Remember that all snakes are beneficial to the ecosystem and should not be killed indiscriminately — poisonous snakes included. But follow these precautions upon entering an area of distruction:

 
¨Be alert for snakes in unusual places. They may be found in or around :
  • homes
  • barns
  • outbuildingsd
  • driftwood
  • levees
  • dikes
  • dams
  • stalled automobiles
  • piles of debris 
  •  building materials
  •  trash any type of rubble or shelter.

 
¨ Keep a heavy stick or long-handled tool handy. After dark, carry a strong light.¨ Before beginning rescue or clean-up operations, search the premises thoroughly for snakes. Wear heavy leather or rubber high-top boots, and heavy gloves. Use rakes, pry bars or other long-handled tools when removing debris. Never expose your hands, feet or other parts of your body where a snake might be.

 
Explain to children the dangers of snakes. during TEOTWAWKI conditions and the precautions they should follow. Do not allow children to play around debris.

 
If you kill a poisonous snake, use a stick, rake or other long-handled tool to carry it away for disposal. If you realize you are near a snake, remain still—sudden movements may cause the snake to strike. If the snake doesn't move away from you after a few minutes, slowly back away from it. If someone is bitten by a poisonous snake take the nessiary steps using the first aid rules that you have learned. (Don't know these rules?  We teach classes on that).  Most all North American snakes that are poisonious will leave two fang marks.  Non poisonious snakes will leave teeth marks, but no fang marks.  Also be aware, that not every strike will contain venom, but treat each bite with caution and care.

 
If bitten by a non-poisonous snake, clean the wound and watch for signs of infection.

 
CONTROLLING SNAKES

 
To minimize chances of finding snakes indoors, block openings where they might enter buildings. Snakes can pass through extremely small openings and usually enter near or below ground level.

Some other suggestions:

 
  •  Be sure doors, windows and screens fit tightly. 
  • Search walls and floors for holes or crevices.
  •  Inspect the masonry of foundations, fireplaces and chimneys. Then plug or cement these openings. 
  •  Plug spaces around pipes that go through outside walls. 
  •  Fasten galvanized screen over drains or ventilators, or over large areas of loose construction.
Remember snakes and rats are edible, but I would rather eat a snake than a rat.  My rule of thumb is if they are heading toward my retreat or cabin, they get a .45 to the head if the are poisonious like rattle snakes, but if they are heading away from my cabin, they may go in peace.  They eat rodents and insects, and having some snakes as distant neighbors can rid you of rats and mice, or at least cut down the population.  I worry more about rats and mice and the diseases they carry than hoop snakes and the like.

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