• activistPnk@slrpnk.netEnglish
      2·
      5 days ago

      I’ve heard that as well; and claims that they are essential to keeping the sewer pipes clear. Not sure to what extent I would put stock into all that but they are certainly a pest. Disease, filth, destruction of homes.

      My city ultimately considers them a pest considering there is a tax-funded public pest control office fighting rats year round. People can call them and they will come to the home and deploy rat control measures (usually poison) at no cost, just like a pro exterminator.

      • swelter_spark@reddthat.comEnglish
        2·
        3 days ago

        I haven’t heard this about keeping sewer pipes clean, but I’m not sure I believe that either. They like to be clean, and wash themselves frequently, like cats. I don’t think they’re any worse about carrying diseases than the cute animals people like to see around. The worst rat diseases I’m aware of can’t be spread to humans, but only to other rats. I know they can damage buildings and food supplies, but I think their negative impact in cities is exaggerated simply because many people find their appearance gross or creepy. Their behavior isn’t that different from that of wild animals that people enjoy having around.

        • activistPnk@slrpnk.netEnglish
          1·
          2 days ago

          For me, rats are filthy, gross, and creepy. But that is not why I fight them. I normally would not care about their presence as long as they stay on their side of the walls. But I fight them for two reasons:

          • Their teeth never stop growing. So they are teething their whole life and also build nests, which means non-stop house destruction.
          • They can carry hantavirus. It’s an airborne transmission and can come from rat urine and feces.
          • The day I decide to remove my ceilings (likely to take away rat turf), I expect to get a shower of feces.