Rodents are North America’s most common household pests, with more than 80 million homes having them. These little critters can take up residence in just about any area of your house, including inside walls, under the flooring, or behind appliances. Unfortunately, they can also be transported from one part of your home to another by humans or pets—and even cause damage along their path!

Rodents are found in all environments and are highly adaptable. Even if you have never seen a rodent in your home, it doesn’t mean they are not around. Rodents can live in tiny spaces and hide from humans by using their sense of smell to find food. They also can go unnoticed because they’re nocturnal (meaning they’re active at night).

If you suspect rodents in your property or apartment building, look for signs of their presence. Some indications of rodents include holes chewed into wood floors or walls, droppings on countertops or cabinets, and food crumbs in places where rodents like to hide during the day. You may not see them at first, but if you do notice them around your home—or even worse: in your house—it’s time to contact us immediately.

Deadly Diseases 

Rodents can carry and spread various serious diseases that affect humans, including the plague, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, hantaviruses, salmonellosis, and rat-bite fever.

Fleas can also transmit these diseases. Unfortunately, rodents are adept at carrying fleas and spreading their eggs as they travel through your home. In addition, flea bites on humans can cause anemia and other blood disorders; this is why it’s essential to keep your home free of rodents—and fleas!

Some rodents are capable of transmitting rabies. Rabies is a viral disease that can cause brain and spinal cord inflammation. It is transmitted through saliva or a bite from an infected animal, such as a bat, skunk, or fox. Rodents also carry parasites that can infect humans including Toxoplasmosis and Leishmaniasis.

Contaminate Stored Food

Rodents can contaminate food in several ways. They will chew through plastic bags, containers, and any packaging that has food. Rodents also carry diseases and parasites that are harmful to humans. Rodents are attracted to food but will eat anything you put out for them, such as bird food, dog and cat food, and even grass seeds. Even if their habitat is limited, they will search every nook and cranny for something to eat. Having rodents in your home can cause problems with your health due to the contamination from feces, urine, and saliva.

Damage from Chewing

Rodents chew on just about anything they can find. For example, they’ll chew through electrical wires, paper, books, and clothing. Fires from chewed electrical components cost homeowners millions in damages every year. It is estimated that approximately 20% of home fires result from rodent infestations causing damage to electrical systems.

Rats can also cause damage to your home’s structural components by gnawing at wooden beams or joists in your ceiling above the floor. For homeowners living in older houses with roofs prone to sag over time, damage from rodents can be catastrophic. Not only do the rats potentially damage the structural integrity of the beams, but if water enters the area they’ve gnawed at, mold growth can occur. In addition, the damage to wood beams and other structural components can release dust mites and other debris, triggering reactions like allergies.

Call the Professionals

Rodents can be a severe problem for your home, but there are ways to avoid them. The most important thing is to keep your home clean and free of food sources they can use as shelter and food. It would be best if you also made sure to seal all holes in your property so that rodents cannot get inside. Finally, if you think you have a rodent problem, contact us immediately!