Rodents in the house are a common problem worldwide. There are many means for keeping these animals away from your house and business premises, but they can’t guarantee these pests won’t return.
From this article, you will learn how to spot the signs of rodent presence and why you should immediately call a rat exterminator if you notice any of those signs. Also, you will discover what dangers, hidden or otherwise, rodent infestation can cause to your property, health, and budget.
Signs of Rats’ Presence
When rats invade your house, you will start noticing their distinctive cues when the population reaches about 5 to 12 individuals. A pair of rats can deliver a new litter every 20 to 25 days. So, for the first month of rats being at your house, you may think all the signs are just false alarms. Then, the population grows, and the following signs become more tangible:
- tiny droppings with a strong odor;
- damaged wires that rats chewed on to build nests;
- bite marks on wooden objects, insulation, etc.;
- gnawed plastic and paper containers with food;
- scratching or chattering sounds at night.
Don’t postpone the call to rat exterminator services for consultation if you notice any of the signs listed above. Critter Stop can do a free inspection that eliminates all your doubts.
Impact of Rat Vital Activities
Some people who have yet to meet the problem of rats and mice in their houses may underestimate them. These animals are one of the most dangerous disease carriers and have a short reproductive cycle, which makes them hazardous for any human habitat. Here are some of the reasons why:
- They spread diseases. These rodents defecate where they live and end up carrying millions of pathogenic bacteria on their paws. If a rat as much as touches your food, it becomes contaminated and unsafe for consumption.
- They mess. Rats’ feces are also dangerous, especially if they accumulate in proximity to your living premises. For example, rats often live in empty spaces inside the walls and, naturally, leave lots of droppings. In summer, the overall temperature goes up, and rat urine vaporizes, filling the air with bacteria. Breathing in this evaporation is as dangerous as eating contaminated food.
- They bite. Normally, a rat won’t dare to attack an adult human unless it is forced into the corner. For small children, however, the chances of getting scratched or bitten are quite high. Also, there are known cases of rats attacking people in their sleep. And even the smallest wound caused by a rat can be extremely dangerous, as pathogens will go directly into your bloodstream.
- They have fleas. These rodents’ companions feed on blood, so they are also disease carriers. In ancient times, fleas have caused all the biggest virus outbreaks. The infamous Plague is still associated with rats because of rat fleas carrying it.
Apart from health risks, rats can cause other serious problems:
- They make holes. When a rat comes to your house, it makes its way through walls, doors, floors, and all the other construction elements. Those defects never look good and will cost you a pretty penny to get rid of.
- They damage load-bearing constructions. The rodent’s teeth never stop growing, so rats need to chew on something hard to grind them down. And they don’t care if said hard object is the bearing beam of the house. It is an extreme risk to people’s lives.
- They dig. Rats love living in dens and can damage your foundation by trying to make a burrow in the ground.
Business Risks
On a commercial premise, rats cause the same problems as mentioned above. The difference is they are harder to notice until the colony grows massive. When it does, it destroys the crop or stocked food products. Additionally, it contaminates the premises with feces and other waste products. It becomes impossible to use commercial rooms before exterminators disinfect them thoroughly. On top of that, rodents in commercial premises threaten your employee health.
Conclusion
Rats are pests, so exterminator services are allowed to use deadly means to remove them. The consequences of rat activity in any premise are never pleasant and often dangerous for health. Remember that you can avoid the majority of health, financial, and legal issues if you address the rat problem as soon as you find it.
