Muskrat Removal
Muskrats can contract what is called tularemia. Tularemia is fatal to animals and is transmitted by ticks, biting flies, and contaminated water. Animals with this disease may be sluggish, unable to run when disturbed, or appear tame. Call (219) 707-1968 to get a free estimate for muskrat removal, trapping, control, and repair of any damage caused by muskrats in Northwest Indiana.
Tularemia may be transmitted to humans if they drink contaminated water, eat undercooked or infected meat, or allow an open cut to contact an infected animal. The most common cause of tularemia in humans is an accidental cut or nick by a knife when skinning or gutting an infected animal. Humans can also get the disease via a tick bite, a biting fly, ingestion of contaminated water, or by inhaling dust from soil contaminated with the bacteria.
A human who contracts tularemia commonly has a high temperature, headache, body ache, nausea, and sweats. A mild case may be confused with the flu and ignored. Humans can be easily treated with antibiotics.
Muskrats are among the few animals that regularly defecate in water, and their droppings (like those of humans and other mammals) can cause a flu-like infection, which old-time trappers referred to as “beaver fever.”
Anyone handling a dead or live muskrat or nutria (a large muskrat, mostly found in southern states) should wear rubber gloves, and wash his or her hands well when finished.
Habitat
Muskrats generally inhabit wetlands with an abundant supply of aquatic vegetation, such as swamps, coastal and freshwater marshes, lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams.
Nocturnal
Yes, muskrats are nocturnal.
Diet
Muskrats, being omnivores, eat a variety of vegetables, plants, and other small animals. Those include cattails, rushes, water lilies, pondweeds, wild rice, willow, acorns, switchgrass, mussels, crayfish, frogs, snails, and fish.
Random facts
- Adult muskrats can reach 25 inches in length and average 2-4 lbs.
- Muskrats can birth up to 5 litters per year, with an average of 5 kits per litter.
- Underwater, muskrats can hold their breath up to 12 minutes.
Muskrat Trapping, Muskrat Removal, Muskrat Proofing & Muskrat Damage Repair Services of Northwest Indiana.