Cycle Paths

[RobF]

Yes, Weil's disease, leptospirosis, spread by rats in watery habitats. Anyone getting immersed in dirty or stagnant water should get a checkup afterwards.
.

I believe some cases have occurred when the person has unknowingly put their hand on grass soaked with rat urine and then rubbed their eyes or eaten something.

I'm not a great one for sitting on the ground, but never do so near a river.

Rat bites can also be fatal through a rare allergic reaction.

A few years ago a woman tried to release a rat which had become entangled in her bird feeder.

The rodent repaid the kindness by biting and killing her.

 

[RobF]

Do they get eaten by the rats?

I wish.

 

[flecc]

I believe some cases have occurred when the person has unknowingly put their hand on grass soaked with rat urine and then rubbed their eyes or eaten something.

I'm not a great one for sitting on the ground, but never do so near a river.

Rat bites can also be fatal through a rare allergic reaction.

A few years ago a woman tried to release a rat which had become entangled in her bird feeder.

The rodent repaid the kindness by biting and killing her.

Yes, rats certainly get a bad press. Ironically they've made an immense contribution to human health and longevity as near-ideal laboratory animals, so on balance they've probably done us far more good than harm.
.

 

[Woosh]

Weils, not Viles, thank you Flecc, and a 'medical' friend also corrected me. - although it all sounds pretty vile to me. And after Rob Fs warnings i certainly won't linger near city canals too long.......

 

[flecc]

Weils, not Viles, thank you Flecc, and a 'medical' friend also corrected me. - although it all sounds pretty vile to me. And after Rob Fs warnings i certainly won't linger near city canals too long.......

I wouldn't worry too much, I've sat on many canal and river banks, drank water from a variety of unknown sources in the wild, washed in those waters and cooked with them, but have never suffered from any of them.

And if rats could speak, they would no doubt tell some even more horrific tales about the multiple dangers from humans!
.

 

[RobF]

Intelligent creatures, too.

I had a running battle with rats a few summers ago at the caravan.

Trying to stop them reaching my bird feeder was quite a challenge.

I had it on a thin, overhanging pole, but they still managed to climb up.

When one of them got on the feeder it swung alarmingly under the rat's weight.

Roland soon worked out if he stationed a buddy on the opposite side, the feeder would be in balance, allowing both of them to eat without danger of falling off.

 

[KeithH]

I wouldn't worry about Weil's. 1 case per million population per annum in England/Wales. Most of them mild.
Rivers are to be enjoyed and even Essex County Council has a watersports centre on the Stort.
Head north Hatti. The scum ends after Tottenham!

 

[Gubbins]

Intelligent creatures, too.

I had a running battle with rats a few summers ago at the caravan.

Trying to stop them reaching my bird feeder was quite a challenge.

I had it on a thin, overhanging pole, but they still managed to climb up.

When one of them got on the feeder it swung alarmingly under the rat's weight.

Roland soon worked out if he stationed a buddy on the opposite side, the feeder would be in balance, allowing both of them to eat without danger of falling off.

Best rat food is lead based! They don't become imune to lead

 

[KeithH]

Not allowed to use lead over water.

 

[Gubbins]

Not allowed to use lead over water.

It's a bit like dog poo! You don't have to pick it up if no one is watching....

 

[electric.mike]

Best rat food is lead based! They don't become imune to lead

Even a small amount

 

[mike killay]

Weils, not Viles, thank you Flecc, and a 'medical' friend also corrected me. - although it all sounds pretty vile to me. And after Rob Fs warnings i certainly won't linger near city canals too long.......

Apparently the British English say Wales disease.
The Americans say Viles disease.
But you can get the variations of Vales and Wiles!!!!
Couldn't some one else have discovered it?

 

[Gubbins]

Apparently the British English say Wales disease.
The Americans say Viles disease.
But you can get the variations of Vales and Wiles!!!!
Couldn't some one else have discovered it?

Q.. How do you get 2 whales in a mini?
A. Go down the M6 and turn right....
Do I apologise now or later...

 

[flecc]

Apparently the British English say Wales disease.
The Americans say Viles disease.

I've only ever heard it pronounced Viles in Britain, which is the correct German pronunciation of course. But of course I live in the south where we pronounce correctly!
.