Long Key State Park. Rat infestation.

"Just how much should they spray? Some of these parks are in the middle of the woods, animals eat the bugs, they don't need chemicals. Stay out of the parks if you are scared of bugs."


There are non-toxic chemicals and deterrents. Diatomaceous Earth works well with ticks. I not scared of bugs, but am aware of some that carry disease.

I live in the woods and have camped since I was a child. I think you reacted a bit harsh.

WonderingWoman wrote:
We were there in October in one of the 50's sites and yes we saw more rats this time than ever. Seems to be worse every year.

Northern Florida State Parks have issues with ticks and they won't spray.

Just how much should they spray? Some of these parks are in the middle of the woods, animals eat the bugs, they don't need chemicals. Stay out of the parks if you are scared of bugs.

We were there in October in one of the 50's sites and yes we saw more rats this time than ever. Seems to be worse every year.

Northern Florida State Parks have issues with ticks and they won't spray.

OP here. Interesting information on the St. Andrew beach mouse. But the concern at Long Key (and other Keys) are the common rats. Every night the garbage dumpsters had groups of rats in them. The people that were work camping and the host all had lights under their RV. This ranger did come by my campsite on my second visit and sprayed rodent repellent mixed with ammonia in the wheel wells of my truck. He stated that ammonia worked with all animals but evaporated. So I bought some ammonia and put it in a spray bottle. Sprayed my camp site at dusk and did not see another rat in my site.

hbrady wrote:
Protected Rats, now I've seen it all.

Beach mice

Current Status: The St. Andrew beach mouse is federally listed as endangered. Currently,
there are two populations of the St. Andrew beach mouse: East Crooked Island, Bay County,
and St. Joseph Peninsula, Gulf County, Florida.
Habitat Requirements and Limiting Factors: The St. Andrew beach mouse inhabits the
primary, secondary, and scrub dunes within the coastal ecosystem. Beach mice require well
developed dune systems in which to live out their life cycle. They dig their burrows into the
face of the dunes near vegetative cover. Their diet is comprised primarily of the seeds and
fruits of plants within their dune habitat with insects providing seasonal supplements.
Threats to the St. Andrew beach mouse consist of habitat loss/alteration from land
development and associated human use, hurricanes and other tropical storm events, nonnative
predators, and recreational activity associated with development and tourism, that
weaken and encroach on the dune ecosystem. Other potential threats are shoreline erosion,
feral hogs, competition from house mice, intra-specific crossbreeding with Choctawhatchee
beach mice, and artificial lighting. Availability of suitable habitat may be a limiting factor
during periods of population expansion or following catastrophic weather events.
Recovery Strategy: The St. Andrew beach mouse is faced with numerous threats to its
populations and to its habitat. Due to its limited range and fragmentation of habitat, these
threats combined continue to present a threat to its existence. Through population
reestablishment, habitat protection, minimization or removal of known threats, and public
education and stewardship, this subspecies could be downlisted from endangered to
threatened and eventually removed from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife.
Recovery Goals: The long-term recovery goal for the St. Andrew beach mouse is to
perpetuate the long-term viability of the subspecies in the wild. This goal is represented by
the delisting and removal from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. The
interim recovery goal is to downlist from endangered to threatened status.
Recovery

Protected Rats, now I've seen it all.

I live near the water in Florida and have a rat problem. They got in my Honda and ate the fuel and vacuum lines and wiring. They done thousands in damage to the wiring in my RV. I've tried all kinds of solutions and it's a never ending battle. Good luck with your truck.

Sorry, all I could think of reading this thread was this.

Big Katuna wrote:
We lived on the beach in Florida for ten years and I was surprised at the rat population on the dunes.

Big Owls would prey on them at night as well as various snakes.

Sounds like the balance is out of whack.

I trapped dozens with old fashioned snap traps, boil in between kills.

Peanut butter and cheese for bait.

Before some of you go out there killing them, be advised that some are protected by law!

We spent almost a week there a few months back and didn't see a one.