There are small creatures running around Oregon State University campus, and the students are not who we’re talking about. The OSU campus has a mouse problem which has been acknowledged by Steve Clark, Vice President of University Relations and Marketing.
“Simply put,” Clark said to the Daily Barometer, “mice and other rodents have been in human society forever and cannot be fully eliminated, but their presence and impact can be prudently and intentionally minimized, such as what we are doing on campus.”
Cold weather will force many rats and mice indoors as they, much like people, look for warm, dry places. Therefore many students and staff may see the critters inside at times. According to Clark, the campus is seeing an average number to even fewer than usual this year.
Some researchers may be concerns about the possibility of the mice affecting their projects. There is also the concern about food sanitation for food service areas. And, of course, rodents can carry diseases such as hantavirus.
Steps to eliminate as many of the undesirable rodents as possible include looking for entry points, encouraging people to not leave foods around, removing ground cover vegetation that might work as habitat, and setting up traps with treated bait.
To avoid a settlement of rats in your buildings, keep food sources tidied up. If there’s nothing to eat, they are less likely to invade your space. And leave any traps you see alone to avoid injury, disease, or harm that might come from handling treated bait.
By Sally K Lehman
Do you have a story for The Advocate? Email editor@corvallisadvocate.com