Alana M. Carroll
Anchor Staff Writer
The residence halls that are home to Rhode Island College students are also housing unexpected guests as temperatures dip: mice. An anonymous poll was recently conducted by an Anchor staff member to determine just how abundant they are across campus and the data collected is repellant at best and alarming at worst.
Of all of the residence halls on campus, Penfield is the worst offender: 2 residents reported personal rodent sightings while 3 knew Penfield residents who have had encounters of their own. Although no pollees personally claimed to have seen mice in Thorp or Sweet, leaving them tied for the halls with the least sightings, there were still two reports each of knowing residents who had.
“None have been described to me personally, but I do know they are quick to provide some sort of trap when it’s needed,” wrote a Thorp resident who rated RIC’s preventative and active measures a 5 points out of 10. “I have not personally experienced infestation, so I feel as though I cannot speak on this. I hope they are taking it seriously, though.” Unfortunately, this rating would score the highest out of all. The lowest rating was 2 points, leading to an average rating of 3.8 out of 10.
Residents were also questioned on measures they’d like to see implemented. An anonymous pollee suggested they’d like to see “friendly rat traps.”
“[RIC has] supplied glue traps,” answered another resident student from Browne Hall. Glue traps were the only specific types of rodent traps mentioned, though these traps are anything but “friendly.” According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), glue traps, also referred to as sticky traps or glue boards, are “one of the cruelest and most dangerous [and] responsible for more suffering than virtually any other wildlife control product on the market.” These traps cause death through dehydration, starvation, or suffocation, making them the least humane way to catch and deal with mice or rats. Alternatives to glue traps are traditional snap traps, which result in a quicker, more humane extermination or “humane” traps (also called “catch-and-release” traps) which are reusable and allow for the mouse to be released back into the wild.
Infestations involving mice specifically leave one at risk of developing rodent-borne illnesses, including hantavirus, leptospirosis, streptobacillosis (commonly called “rat bite fever”), and salmonellosis. Infestations of any kind can negatively impact mental health which inevitably contributes to a decreased quality of work. Common psychological effects related to pest infestations include increased anxiety, decreased quality of sleep and problems with attention. A common complaint was related to holes in the walls, particularly in Penfield. “I had an ant infestation all throughout my suite last year,” wrote a Penfield resident. “Housing wasn’t helpful so we bought tons of ant traps.”
“I had an ant infestation last year because of massive holes in the walls,” answered another resident, also from Penfield, who rated their satisfaction with RIC’s pest-prevention a 2 out of 10. “RIC was not helpful.”
Questioned further, the anonymous pollee confirmed increased levels of anxiety. “I felt like I was on constant high alert to make sure they didn't enter my bedroom. I also didn't feel comfortable to shower in the dorm. RIC did nothing.”
“Do exterminations during summer [and] winter breaks,” suggested a pollee. As the end of the semester approaches with winter break to follow, RIC has an opportunity to act. Not only would taking more pest-control measures protect the physical health of its resident students against disease, but it would also tackle a common source of anxiety and distraction as well as increase trust between student and school.