If rats and mice infest your home, you may see them scurrying around, nibbling on your food, and leaving droppings wherever they go. These rodents are a common issue faced by a lot of households. Aside from being a nuisance, rats can pose severe health risks. To keep rodents at bay, you need to know some expert strategies that have been tried and tested. Also, you should be aware of when Saela Pest Control professionals can help you.
Identifying Common Kinds of Rodents
To eliminate a rodent issue for good, your first step is to identify the kind of rodent you are dealing with. House mice are common in homes; hence, their name. These small and thin mice have pointed noises, long thin tails, and round ears. They can squeeze through small gaps, which means they can easily get into your house. When house mice have established themselves inside, they can cause serious damage as they gnaw on insulation, wires, and anything else.
Meanwhile, Norway rats or sewer rats are bigger than house mice. They have a blunt nose, short, thick tails, and small ears. Typically, these rodents are gray or brown. Roof rats are smaller than Norway rats and lighter in color. They have a pointy nose, long tails, and big ears. They live in attics and on roofs.
Generally, rats are skilled climbers and can climb up walls and drainpipes easily to access your house. They gnaw on whatever they can find such as walls, insulation, and wiring. Thankfully, you can prevent these rodents from invading your house by taking preventative measures. These measures include blocking entry points, storing food in sturdy, airtight containers, addressing moisture problems and leaks, and keeping your space free of clutter.
Why Rodents are Problematic Creatures
Just the thought of rodents themselves can make you uncomfortable. Whether you have encountered a mouse or rat in your house or have heard stories about how these rodents can destroy homes, you never want to share your living space with them.
Rodents carry different diseases that can harm you and your pets. These diseases include Leptospirosis, Hantavirus, Rat-bite fever, and Salmonellosis. They can spread through contact with rodent droppings, urine, and saliva. These rodent waste products can contaminate your food and surfaces. Also, rodents can carry fleas and ticks, which is another issue to deal with. Fleas and ticks can also transmit disease to humans and animals.
Moreover, rodents have chewing habits as they try to sharpen their continuously growing teeth. As they search for food and nesting materials, these pests chew through nearly anything they can find. When they chew through electrical wires, rodents can cause shorts and begin fires. Also, ruined insulation can result in energy loss and increased utility bills.
In addition, the presence of rodents can result in home and environmental contamination. As rodents scurry around and nest, they will leave behind droppings and fur that can draw other pests and create an unhygienic indoor environment. This can be an issue for those who have respiratory issues and allergies.
