If you’ve ever dealt with a rodent infestation in your Central Florida home, you know what a pain they can be. In addition to being an unwelcome presence in your house, rats and mice can cause a lot of damage and can spread dangerous diseases. Because rodent problems are associated with health risks, it’s always important to enlist the help of a rodent exterminator such as Heron Home & Outdoor. Keep reading to learn about the dangers of rodents in your property.

How Bad Can Rodent Damage Get?

One of the biggest pains of a rodent problem is the damage they can cause. Rats have incisor teeth that never stop growing, so they always have to have something to gnaw on to keep them from overgrowing. This can be especially dangerous when they inhabit areas with lots of electrical wiring. In severe cases of mouse or rat damage, wires can short circuit and create a fire hazard! Additionally, mice will tear through materials to create nests, and rats have been known to cause structural damage in properties by cutting through tough materials in your home.

Mouse and Rat Diseases in Central FL

Some of the world’s most dangerous diseases are spread by rats and mice. These can be transmitted through direct contact, or indirectly through infected fleas, ticks, and mites. The most dangerous diseases spread by rats and mice include: 

• Salmonella
  • Rats and mice track dirt and bacteria along the surfaces that they walk across. Salmonella, commonly referred to as food poisoning, can cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and worse.
• Hantavirus
  • Most often found in the urine and feces of deer mice, hantavirus can cause symptoms from fever and chills to aches and pains. In serious or untreated cases, hantavirus can lead to shortness of breath and kidney failure.
• Rat-bite fever
  • Also known as Streptobacillus, rat-bite fever is usually 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 rats’ feces or urine.

How Professional Rodent Exterminators Can Help

As you can see, rats and mice can be dangerous in many ways. Without the help of a professional exterminator, they can wreak havoc on your home or business. As soon as you notice the signs of a rodent infestation, it’s time to call your local pest control company. Our rats and mice exterminators can protect you from the many dangers of rodents in Central FL year-round. Contact us today for a free quote!