Rodents like mice and rats pose serious threats to homeowners. They can cause costly damage to your home’s wooden structures as they gnaw on wood, pipes, and electrical wires. Such pesky pests also pose health hazards because they can transmit diseases through their bites, urine, and feces. If you have a current rodent issue, visit greenpestservices.net to learn more about proper rodent elimination and control. Pest control experts are available to help you get rid of all problematic creatures inside your house or on your property. They will also provide you with tips when trying to handle rats or mice on your own.
Are Rats and Mice Harmful?
Both mice and rats can pose severe threats to people and the environment. They carry diseases, contaminate food, and damage home structures. This means that these rodents are a serious issue that must be taken seriously.
A lot of people think that spotting a few rodents in their house is not a big deal. However, this can result in a full-blown rodent infestation in no time as these pests can multiply rapidly. When it comes to rodent infestations, the biggest worry is the possible spread of diseases to people such as hantavirus, salmonella, Leptospirosis, and others.
In addition, mice and rats usually host fleas and ticks, further spreading diseases. Also, such pests can contaminate your water and food supplies, which increases the risk of contamination and human infection. Plus, they can gnaw on cables, furnishings, insulation, and drywall. This can lead to severe structural damage and puts your household at risk of fires. Rodents can even damage your plumbing system and HVAC system, leading to expensive repairs.
How to Know Rodents Have Infested Your Home
Below are signs to watch out for when trying to identify a rodent infestation:
- Droppings. A rodent infestation may be active if you spot rat or mouse droppings around your house. These droppings are found where rodents eat, travel, and sleep. They are black and oval-shaped.
- Gnaw marks. Rodents love to gnaw on anything they can find to keep their teeth sharp and create entry points. Seeing chew marks on wires, furniture, or walls can indicate a rodent issue.
- Strange noises. As rodents become active at night, you can hear their movements. They can make scratching, gnawing, or scurrying noises that come from the ceilings or walls. Hearing these noises means you have a rodent problem to address.
- Sightings. Seeing dead or live rodents is a clear indication of their presence.
- Urine stains. Mice and rats leave urine stains and odors. You can easily notice the strong urine odor if you have a rodent issue. You will usually find urine stains or notice the odor near entry points and in their nesting sites.
- Nesting piles. Rodents build nests in warm, dark, and cozy areas such as the attic, crawl space, and basement. Once they begin nesting, they build piles of materials like fabric, paper, and insulation. Seeing these piles means an existing infestation and the need to contact a pest control professional to help you eliminate it.
