RI, MA EHS Pest Control Blog

Dreams About Rats: Dream Meanings Explained

Dreams about rats are a common theme at bedtime. If you or a loved one has been covering this ground at night, you may have questions about what it all might mean. As part of a Huffington Post series on dreams and their meanings, we spoke to Cathleen O'Connor, Ph.D., author of "The Everything Law of Attraction Dream Dictionary," to get expert advice about the meanings of your or your loved one’s dreams about rats. Note: While dream analysis is highly subjective, this post might provide some insight into why this dream occurred or is recurring.

What do dreams about this subject mean?

Before determining what your rat dream means, you must first ask yourself what you associate with rats, says O'Connor. Are you afraid of them or do you think they're cute? "Rats are seen by many people as pests that carry disease or cause other problems so they have many negative connotations," she notes. "Yet rats are also survivors, able to withstand harsh environments and highly intelligent. The meaning will evolve from both your association with the qualities of rats as well as what is going on in your current life."

What can I learn about myself from dreaming about rats?

"The first thing to think about is whether you or someone you know is behaving unethically in a situation in your life," suggests O'Connor. "You often hear the expression that someone is a 'rat,' meaning he is untrustworthy or has betrayed someone." Alternatively, a rat in your dream could represent feeling like you're caught in a maze somewhere in your daily life.

Are there any tricks to avoiding or inducing dreams about this subject?

If you fear rats, set the intention of waking up in a dream if a rat appears. "This is a technique known as lucid dreaming," she says. "In a lucid dream, you can notice you are dreaming and take control of the dream events and overcome your fears." If you want to dream about rats, then visualize rats before falling asleep.

Beyond analysis, what cultural symbolism can be found in dreams about rats?

"In Chinese culture, the first symbol of the zodiac is a rat and people born in a rat year are said to possess the positive qualities, including creativity and intelligence, of a rat," explains O'Connor. "In Hindu tradition, rats are associated with the god Ganesh, who is worshiped as the remover of obstacles. In some Native American traditions, rats are symbols of survival and lack of fear." Dreamers from these various cultural traditions may find a different meaning from those in a traditional western culture.

Who tends to have dreams about this subject most frequently?

According to O'Connor, rat dreams do not affect one swath of the population more than another.

Does it mean anything if the rat is dead in my dream?

Dreaming about a dead rat may mean you're overwhelmed or frightful about a situation in your real life. It could also represent letting go of a relationship, especially if that relationship involves betrayal. "In that case, the dream is letting you know that the situation has come to an end," notes O'Connor.

SOURCE = HUFFINGTON POST

George Williams,
General Manager - Staff Entomologist

Pest Control, RI, Pest Control, MA

UPDATE: Wal-Mart Deli, Bakery Reopen After Rodent Problem

The deli and the bakery at the Wal-Mart superstore in Lebanon have reopened after being shut down for a rodent problem.

News 8 initially reported the problem on Thursday, Aug. 4. A store spokeswoman said the problem was first discovered at the end of June but that pest control efforts were unsuccessful. The spokeswoman would not say what type of rodent had gotten into the store.

Here is the complete statement the company issued on Thursday:

"Unfortunately it has come to our attention that rodents have found their way into our store in Lebanon, Pa. We are aware of the situation and we are working to resolve this issue.

As part of our commitment to food safety, the bakery and deli remain closed until the problem can be corrected. We’re working with a pest control company, a professional cleaning service and the Department of Agriculture to remedy the situation.

We make every effort to ensure our stores are clean and pest free and apologize to our customers for this inconvenience. Once the Department of Agriculture inspects our store and gives us the okay to re-open, we will."

On Friday, a company spokesperson updated the situation, saying the store had passed the inspection and the deli and bakery are open for business

Source = wgal.com

George Williams
General Manager - Staff Entomologist

Pest Control, RI, Pest Control, MA

It looks like a disturbing trend is continuing with rats appearing on subway trains. They keep this up and they are going to need metro cards!

George Williams
General Manager - Staff Entomologist

Pest Control, RI, Pest Control, MA

(click to enlarge image)

Rodents have lanolin on their fur that causes tell-tale rub marks in heavily traveled pathways. Lanolin is yellow viscous oil in the fur that is made of fatty acids and esters. It allows rodents to squeeze into tight voids & spaces with great ease.

We know that when we do a rodent inspection that this is one of the signs we look for to determine activity. The more frequently traveled in the same area means there will be a buildup of lanolin. To the untrained eye it looks like oil but to us it is an important find that will aid in control because it tells us that it is a rodent highway.

The attached image shows the rub marks leading under a wooden deck.

by Ryan Metterville, Service Specialist

Rats & Mice = Fire Hazards!!!
Location = Weston, MA

The national fire safety commission estimates that up to 25% of all fires of unknown origin may be from rodents. Rodent like to gnaw, it is exercise, entertainment, and wires resemble something they find + like in the wild…….stems of grass. It has nothing to do with them needing to file their teeth down, that is a myth.  The attached image gives you a good visual on how scary this is. I know people would lose their mind if the wire damage caused loss of a computer or expensive piece of electronics in your home. What if the damage shut down the internet or damaged a server at work? This could cost your business tons of money! It certainly can be much worse or even fatal in the event of a fire. Mice & rats are not something to play with or even tolerate even slightly. Trust EHS to protect your family & your business.

Bruce Lopes Jr.
Service Manager -  RI & MA Pest Control