Animal populations reaching epidemic proportions

Animal populations reaching epidemic proportions - By: Frank Loethen


There are places in the United States where animal populations have reached epidemic proportions. These large number of animals have disrupted the various regions and create potential danger to the human populations. Although not highly publicized, they do exist.

The rat, carrying harmful diseases, exist in every major city but New York City has the highest number of them. The diseases it carries can be transmitted to other animals and humans. The plague, foot and mouth disease and swine fever have been attributed to it. It is a medium sized rodent with a long tail weighing up to 1 pound. Although various small rodents are called rats, the Black Rat and Brown Rat are considered the "true" rats.

The Africanized honey bee or better known as the "killer bee" can be found in Hidalgo, Texas. It is aggressive and stings in swarms. It sting is very painful and can be fatal. Hybrid of the Africa honey bee, they appeared in the western hemisphere in 1957 when a beekeeper in Brazil accidentally released them. They tend to swarm more frequently and migrate further than other bees. They are very aggressive when guarding their hive.

New Smyrna Beach, Florida is home to a large number of sharks. Shark attacks on humans are rare. New Smyrna Beach has had 219 human attacks by sharks since 1882. Dating back 420 million years ago, there are 440 known species. Having a cartilaginous skeleton and highly streamlined body, it is found mostly in salt water down to depths of 6600 feet. Many are at the top of the food chain, carnivorous and feed on other fish but not normally on humans

Don't let the bedbugs bite is a concern in New York City. They feed on human blood and can cause anxiety, embarrassment and jumpiness. They feed at night leaving its human prey with a rash and other symptoms in the morning. Foreign travel, greater exchange of second hand goods and resistance to pesticides is believed to be contributing to the increase in the United States. It takes professional pest control treatment to eliminate them.

Nutria or coypu, a big, water loving rodent, is raising havoc in Louisiana. Its burrowing and feeding habits consume large amounts of river plants causing erosion. Originating from South America, it was brought to the United States by fur ranchers. It lives in burrows along stretches of water.

Large populations of cockroaches, ants and termites can be found in Florida. Cockroaches carry disease. Ants and termites can destroy property. The cockroach likes warm environments found in buildings. It feeds on human and pet food and can leave an offensive odor.

The termite lives in colonies and feeds on dead plant material including wood, leaf litter, soil and animal dung. Termites can be very destructive to a building and besides wood can also damage paper, carpet and cloth. Isolating suspect wood from a concrete, steel or masonry foundation can prevent them from entering a structure. Treating wood and use of insecticides can also prevent them from causing damage.

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