Everything Homeowners Need To Know About Rodent Infestations

Rodent infestations are a very common pest issue for homeowners in Evansville, Indiana, to Indianapolis, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky. Rodents have two large front teeth that continuously grow; because of this, they must constantly gnaw on objects to keep their teeth at a manageable length. While there are many types of rodents existing, mice, rats, and squirrels are the ones that commonly enter homes, especially mice and rats. They are known as commensal rodents, which simply means that they are very dependent on humans for survival. Rats are a much larger species being 10-12 inches in length, including their tail, while mice are about 5-7 1/2 inches in length, including their tails.

Dangers Of Rodent Infestations

Having rodents living in your home can be very dangerous to you, your family, and the structure of your home. Rodents carry a lot of diseases that can be passed on and cause harm to humans. They will commonly contaminate kitchen counters and other food prep areas with Salmonella from their urine and feces; this can lead to bacterial food poisoning. Rodents also carry the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, which can lead to serious lung problems and, in extreme cases, death. Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease, and gastrointestinal disorder dysentery are also serious health conditions that can be passed along by rodents. In addition to the health risks associated with the pests, rodents can be very destructive and dangerous to the structure of your home as well as the contents within; mice and rats will enter via openings on the exterior of the home and access basements, attics, and other living spaces. Once inside, they tend to nest in walls in undisturbed areas such as attics and storage rooms. Again because of their teeth, they will chew on electrical wires, which can cause fires, and will chew through plumbing pipes which can lead to water damage and mold issues. Rodents will cause destruction by chewing on personal property such as boxes, clothing, furniture, and books.

Preventing Rodent Infestations

The best way to prevent a rodent infestation is by making sure they cannot make their way into your home. You should inspect your foundation for cracks and crevices and make sure that any openings are sealed; you should seal any openings around windows and doors and parts of the exterior where utility lines enter. A cap should be put on your chimney to prevent rodents from getting into it and entering the house. Also, make sure that bushes and trees are trimmed away from the house so that rodents cannot use the branches as a bridge into your house.

Handling Rodent Infestations

If you find that you are already dealing with a rodent infestation in your home, your best course of action is to contact a professional pest control company. They will be able to quickly identify the type of rodent in your home, eliminate the problem and set up an exclusion plan to prevent others from re-entering in the future. The faster you get rid of these unwanted house guests from your home, the less damage they do and the less disease that they can spread. Contact your local rodent control company today for detailed information on how they can help you with your rodent problem!

To learn more about the types of rodents in Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, or if you need help getting rid of mice, rats, or other rodents in those areas, please visit our pest education center or contact us today. Action Pest Control has been solving rodent problems throughout our three-state service area since 1946, and our certified professionals are ready to help you take action against pests.