Rodents
* Rats *	* Mice *
Rats
There are two types of rats, Norway rats which like to travel on the ground and Roof rats which like to travel in ceilings and up walls.
Rats carry the disease called the Plague, which is spread to humans by the oriental rat flea.
The Plague killed 25 million people in Europe during the 14th Century.
This disease is still found in some native rats.
There are still breakouts today, they are referred to as pneumonic plaque.
Marine typhusis is another disease transmitted by the rat flea.
It is spread by entering the blood stream from flea bites, and feces rubbed on the skin.
The disease is recognized by a fever, headache, chills, and a rash on the fifth day.
This disease does respond to antibiotics.
Salmonellas (food poisoning) is associated with food and rodents because rodents live on contaminated food and their feet and feces contain salmonellas. Consequently, they spread the disease to humans.
Rat bite fever is caused by a rat bite. The bacteria comes from saliva of rats and mice. This causes flu like symptoms and most of the time goes miss diagnosed.
There are between 14,000 and 20,000 bites a year.
Weils disease or leptospirosis is transmitted through rat’s urine. It causes fevers, rashes, severe headaches, abdominal pain.
Rats carry parasites on their fur.
By gnawing they damage doors, ceilings, walls, and even concrete.
These rodents have to gnaw on things or else their teeth will grow into their chest and they will die.
As a result of rodents gnawing on pipes and wires there have been many explosions.
They are capable of destroying computer equipment.
They are capable of contaminating food from their urine and fur.