There are a few pest infestation types that often become more common during the colder part of the year, and invasion from rodents like mice or rats are a good example. As these pests seek shelter from the cold during this season, they’ll be even more determined than usual to find their way into the warmth of your home for protection.
At A-1 Exterminators, we’re happy to provide rodent control and extermination for any clients dealing with mouse, rat or other rodent infestations on their property. While these rodents differ between species, they’re somewhat similar in many of their habits and risks. Using mice as our basic template, this two-part blog series will go over why rodents are a risk to your property and your health, plus some basic methods for identifying, preventing and removing them from your home.
Disease Risks
One of the key risks of mice or other rodents in the home is the potential for disease spread based on their presence. This can happen both directly and indirectly, and through a variety of sources.
For starters, house mice are well-known to carry many kinds of bacteria, diseases and contaminants on their bodies. When they contact food, air supply sources or other related areas, they can spread these contaminants directly through touch. Meanwhile, they also leave significant amounts of feces, urine and other droppings, which can both contact objects and become airborne, spreading contaminants. These contaminants can trigger everything from asthma or allergies to several other disease risks. And for mice in particular, their dropping frequency is so significant that droppings tend to accumulate very quickly.
Other Pests
Another major risk associated with mice, rats and other rodents: The way they often transport other smaller pests into the home along with them. Mice will commonly be infested with pests like fleas, ticks, mites, lice and others that are small enough to live on their bodies, and when they enter your home and nest, these infestations will come in with them.
Walls and Attic
The highest-risk areas in your home when it comes to mice and other rodent infestations: Your interior walls and your attic, if your home has one. These pests prefer covered, secretive areas where they can nest safely and begin reproducing, which they do with vigor; they can produce up to 35 babies per year for each individual female mouse. The attic, in particular, is an area where some homeowners will not visit for months or even years at a time, offering an ideal hiding place for many rodents due to its qualities and proximity to insulation.
For more on mice and other rodents and why they’re a risk in your home, or to learn about any of our pest control or exterminator services, speak to the staff at A-1 Exterminators today.
