Ezra Mushala 
City pigeons are everywhere. You’ll see them on sidewalks, in parks, around dumpsters, and perched on buildings. They’ve adapted to urban life so well that they’re now one of the most common birds in cities worldwide. But pigeons don’t get much respect. In fact, many people actively dislike them and consider them pests. The nickname … Read more
Walk into any biomedical research lab and you’ll probably see rats. These animals are used in millions of experiments every year across the world, from testing new medicines to studying behavior and brain function. Rats have been a staple of scientific research for over a century. They’ve helped develop treatments for diseases, test the safety … Read more
The word “pest” gets thrown around a lot, but it has a specific meaning when it comes to animals like rats. A pest is an organism that conflicts with human interests, causing economic damage, health problems, or general nuisance. Rats check every box on the pest definition list. They damage property, contaminate food, spread disease, … Read more
Rats have a reputation as filthy creatures. People associate them with sewers, garbage, disease, and unsanitary conditions. The mere mention of rats makes most people think of contamination and health hazards. This reputation is so strong that calling someone a “dirty rat” is an insult, and saying a place is “rat-infested” immediately makes people think … Read more
Farms are perfect environments for rats. There’s tons of food in the form of grain, animal feed, and crops. There’s shelter in barns, silos, storage buildings, and equipment sheds. There’s water from troughs, irrigation systems, and natural sources. With all these resources available, rat populations on farms can explode if they’re not controlled. A few … Read more
Rats are everywhere. You’ll find them on every continent except Antarctica, living in cities, forests, islands, and farmland. While some rat species are native to certain areas, invasive rats have spread across the globe, often hitching rides on ships and in cargo. These invasive rats have caused serious problems wherever they’ve landed. They eat native … Read more
Rats are one of the most recognizable animals in the world. You can find them in cities, farms, forests, and even deserts. They’ve been living alongside humans for thousands of years, and they’re known for their sharp teeth, long tails, and quick movements. But have you ever stopped to think about where the name “rat” … Read more
Rats get a bad reputation. Most people think of them as dirty pests that spread disease and destroy property. But people who actually know rats (pet owners, researchers, and wildlife experts) have a completely different view. Once you learn about what rats can actually do and how they behave, it’s hard not to be impressed. … Read more
Alberta is the only large populated region in the world that’s essentially rat-free. While cities everywhere else battle constant rat infestations, Alberta has managed to keep these pests out for decades. This is actually pretty amazing when you think about how rats live almost everywhere else humans do. But why are there no rats in … Read more
Every Halloween, you’ll see rats showing up in decorations, haunted houses, and spooky displays. They’re right there with ghosts, witches, and skeletons as classic Halloween imagery. But why are rats associated with Halloween? Rats are associated with Halloween because they’re connected to death, disease, and decay in people’s minds. This connection comes from the Black … Read more