Rats, Mice, and the Dangers They Bring

If you have a rat or mouse problem in your property, these rodents can be much more dangerous than you may think. As a nuisance pest, rodents will rummage through your food and chew on wires, but they can pose a bigger threat. In addition to simply making a mess in your home or business, rodents are infamous for directly or indirectly transmitting a number of dangerous diseases. Because rats and mice are a common problem throughout Northern Utah and Southern Idaho year-round, it’s important to understand the many dangers of rodents.

The Dangers of Rodent-Borne Diseases

Rodent problems are most feared for the health risks they bring about. Several of the world’s most infamous diseases have been tied back to rats and mice. We now know the bubonic plague was transmitted by fleas, but rats and mice carried the fleas and thus contributed to the outbreak. Today, some of these diseases remain a threat, including the following:

• Hantavirus. Most often found in the urine and feces of deer mice, hantavirus can cause symptoms from fever and chills to aches in pains. In serious cases or when it is not treated, it can lead to shortness of breath and kidney failure.
• Salmonella. Rats and mice can walk over surfaces and contaminate everything they tough. Salmonella, commonly referred to as food poisoning, can cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and worse.
• Rat-bite fever. True to its name, rat-bite fever is caused by a bite or scratch from an infected rat. It is also caught by handling infected animals and ingesting food or drink contaminated with the rat’s feces or urine.

Property Damage From Rodents

Besides the diseases they may cause, rats and mice infestations can leave your property a mess. Three of the biggest headaches rodents cause include:

1. Chewing. Rats have incisors that never stop growing … meaning they never stop chewing! When they chew on electrical wires, they can cause a short circuit and create a fire hazard.
2. Nests. Rats and mice will make nests out of anything they can get their paws on, meaning they’ll shred through a number of things in your property at will.
3. Droppings. In addition to being a health hazard, droppings are unsightly, messy, and smelly. It’s important to enlist the help of a professional in cleaning up after a rodent infestation.

When to Use a Mice Exterminator

If you’ve noticed rats or mice in your property, it’s recommended to call a rodent exterminator as soon as possible. With the threats and dangers of an infestation in mind, you now know why it’s always best to enlist the help of a professional rodent control company. At Rentokil, we will work with you to keep your home or business safe from the dangers of rodents year-round.