Have you noticed a foul odor in your home? Or maybe weird grease markings or droppings around your kitchen cupboards? It could be that you have a rodent infestation, even if you haven’t seen any running around.
These problems get more serious the longer they go on, so you should get rid of any rodent infestation as soon as possible. Let’s explore some of the common problems rodents can create for you.
Damage Caused by Rodents
Here are some of the most common ways rodents can pose a risk to your home and belongings.
Home Damage
Rodents cause all sorts of damage to your home when left unchecked. Rats chew on everything they can get their hands on, with strong, sharp teeth that grow constantly. Roof rats are especially dangerous. The holes they make can cause rainwater to leak into your walls, causing severe mold or wood rot problems.
Mice, rats, and other rodents build their nests with various materials like books, papers, and cardboard boxes. While searching for nesting materials and food, they chew through wires and other electronics. This can be very costly to fix and increases the chances of an electrical fire.
Damaged Valuables
Like most people, you probably have valuables stored in your home. Rodents will rummage and chew through storage areas, including cardboard boxes or cupboards, potentially damaging the valuables you have inside.
They love to nest in undisturbed areas like attics, destroying storage spaces and even expensive furniture. This can lead to thousands of dollars in damage.
Invitation to Other Pests
When rodents enter your home by making a hole in the wall, they create an entry point for other pests. Insects like ants, centipedes, cockroaches, silverfish, and spiders, will take advantage of the easy access.
These pests can create extra problems on top of the ones the rodents cause. It can make ridding your home of unwanted pests even more expensive than before.
Contamination
Rodents spread dirt and disease across your home while they search for food sources. Any food they get into should be thrown out immediately. Their feces and urine can contaminate surfaces and kitchenware and make you sick even if they don’t contaminate the food itself. The bacteria they carry can make you ill or lead to food poisoning.
Risk of Illness
Mice and rats carry a high risk of spreading disease and illness that can make you seriously sick. Common diseases spread by rodents include:
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
- Leptospirosis
- Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM)
- Plague
- Salmonellosis
- Tularemia
There are several ways these diseases can spread, such as:
- Consumption of contaminated food
- Direct contact with rodent feces or urine
- Harmful particulates that circulate through ventilation systems like air conditioning
Contracting any of these illnesses creates a serious risk of hospitalization and even death. This is yet another reason it’s important to stop rodent infestations before they get out of hand.
Parasites
Rodents also carry nasty parasites that can cause secondary pest infestations. These parasites include fleas, lice, mites, ticks, and worms. Ticks in particular are very dangerous. They can carry diseases that last a lifetime. Tick-borne illnesses include
- Lyme disease
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Tularemia
- Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI)
Even if you think your rodent problem isn’t that bad, you have to be mindful of the parasites they may carry.
Annoying Noise
Besides all the health and property complications rodents can cause, they can also be just plain annoying. Since they’re nocturnal, all the bumping, chewing, rustling, and squeaking will likely happen as you’re trying to sleep.
Nobody wants to have their sleep disturbed, especially not by rodents rummaging through their things.
Conclusion
Since rodents are primarily active at night, you might not see them directly. This is why it’s important to check for the other signs that they leave behind. It’s important to get rid of rodents as soon as you know they’re there to prevent long-lasting damage.
Don’t let these unwanted critters cause any more issues for you. Protect your home, health, and property today. Contact Romney Pest Control to help get rid of rodents right away!
