Imagine enjoying a cozy evening at home when suddenly you see a furry intruder running across the floor. Rodent infestations are a common problem in the U.S., with about 21 million homes dealing with these unwelcome guests. As rodents are drawn to your home’s appealing safety and comfort, ensuring year-round protection is essential. Here’s extensive insight into their hazards, tell-tale signs to look out for, and practical rodent prevention tips.

What Are the Hazards of Rodent Infestation?

As the largest mammal group with about 1500 species, it’s likely you've encountered rats, mice, raccoons, opossums, and squirrels exploring your home or compound. While most are harmless, they can be a menace and pose several serious potential risks. These hazards include:

Damage to Property and Personal Belongings

Rodents are notorious for leaving a trail of destruction wherever they dwell. Armed with sharp teeth, the creatures revel in chewing through various materials, including wood, plastic, paper, and electrical wires. This behavior can weaken your home’s structural integrity.

Exposed electrical wires are prone to short-circuiting and increase the risk of electrical fires. Modern construction often relies on plastic pipes for plumbing and piping. They can easily damage these pipes, leading to in-house floods and gas leaks that further devastate your property.

In addition, they relish gnawing on your carefully stored clothes or textiles when building nests or looking for food. The extent of property damage will only worsen if the invaders are left unchecked.

Spread of Diseases

Beyond physical damage, rodents are notorious disease carriers, posing a significant health risk to all home occupants. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rodents can spread illnesses through food contamination or direct contact with rodent droppings, urine, or bites. These diseases include:

• Hantavirus
• Salmonellosis
• Leptospirosis
• Tularemia
• Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome
• Lujo Hemorrhagic Fever
• Lassa Fever
• Monkeypox
• Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM)
• Rat-Bite Fever

The rodents also carry mites, ticks, fleas, and other vectors that can indirectly spread diseases to you and your pets. Health effects range from flu-like symptoms, and allergies to more severe, life-threatening conditions.

Emotional Distress

While the tangible damages are concerning, you shouldn’t underestimate the emotional toll rodents cause. The constant fear of encountering these elusive creatures scurrying about can lead to heightened stress and anxiety. In addition, the thought of sharing your living space with disease vectors can be traumatizing, impacting your well-being.

Let in the Light

According to a survey by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), about one-third of U.S. residents experience rodent issues in their households. These extremely adaptable critters can exploit numerous entry points to access your home. Knowing how and where to locate them is essential for effective rodent control, whether it's the crafty house mouse, the agile roof rat, the elusive squirrel, or the resourceful raccoon.

• Basement/Crawlspace: These subterranean spaces are prime targets as rodents can burrow through holes and cracks in the foundation or walls. Often dark and secluded, this space offers the pest warmth, protection, and a discreet area for nesting. It also has pipes, vents, and utility lines allowing nimble creatures to squeeze through and move freely.
• Kitchen cabinets: Rodents are attracted to food, and can easily exploit the tiniest of openings to access your food stores. Torn flour bags, gnawed cereals, and trails of dropping points to their presence.
• Garage: The garage, often a transitional space between the outdoors and your home, is susceptible to wildlife infiltration. Poorly organized garages also provide the clutter rodents need for hiding and nesting. Indications that you have a rodent intruder include grease stains on the wall or floor, nests, frayed wires, and disheveled insulation.
• Attic: This elevated location offers rodents insulation and an excellent vantage point for avoiding predators. Roof rats and squirrels are accomplished climbers that can ascend rough surfaces like walls and overhanging trees to reach your roof. From there, they enter the attic through vents or other openings. Unexplained scratching noises especially in the dead of night may signal rodent activity.