Bot Fly Parasites Infest Backyard Wood Rat

Those Botflies got to itch bad - poor thing! A botfly also written bot fly, bott fly or bot-fly and also known as warbles, warble flies, heel flies, and gadflies, are a family of flies technically known as the Oestridae that lay eggs on mosquitoes who then actually transfer the parasite to the host during biting. This unfortunate Florida Woodrat or Eastern Woodrat with three very active Bot flies wiggling all around its neck about ready to "hatch" is attracted to the temporary daytime location of the Painted Bunting feeder which of course I'll have to move now. The Woodrat is a native, mostly ground dwelling rat that loves the dense wet/dry jungle-like woodland sanctuary behind the Backyard. Also called a Packrat it is similar looking to a very large version of a white-footed mouse and kind of cute in its own way (minus the Botflies of course) - with a bit of a "squirrel-like" facial appearance up close. These rats and native cotton rats are a primary food source for the Bobcats and feral cat that live in the "Jungle" behind the Backyard, their lives tend to be short. Fortunately the Florida squirrels have not had botflies for a few years now. If you keep food sources and dense vegetation away from the house these rats wont bother you and stay in the woods where they belong. Also don't put out more food than can be eaten in a day unless your feeders are on a pole with a baffle to keep critters away and no-mess bird seed will help reduce rodent problems.
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