Three Shocking Facts About an Indoor Rodent Infestation

Our midwest winter winds also blow in rats and mice who don’t like the cold, seeking warmth inside your home, offices or other buildings. Rodent control and removal are important during these months to avoid a full-blown rodent infestation and the diseases caused by rat and mouse droppings.

How Rodents Can Infest Your Home Or Office

Rats and mice make the move from woodpiles, bushes, tall grass and trash cans into your home when the weather turns cold. They feed on fruits and berries that have fallen to the ground, as well as birdseed and dog droppings. Rats can get into a home through a half-inch hole while a mouse needs a quarter-inch hole. And, both of them will chew a hole until it’s wide enough to get through. They find refuge inside the insulation of your walls or ceilings, behind or under cabinets and bathtubs, in basements, attics and wherever things are stored in boxes, paper or cloth. 

Worse yet!

Should they find food and water inside, the building can become infested. This is a real issue for homeowners. Mice and rats can live off foods, fats and oils that have been spilled and left on counters, floors, appliances and tables. They love cereal, oats, potatoes that might be left in cardboard boxes and plastic bags. Anf pet food in boxes or bags often left in the garage is an easy meal. 

While most people don’t like the idea of seeing a mouse or rat inside their home, the major concern is the damage these rodents can cause. What kind of damage can a rodent infestation cause and how can you control and remove them?

Fact #1: Rodents Love To Nest & Chew…Everything! 

Mice and rats are resourceful invaders and will use clothes, stored fabric, and newspapers – basically, anything they can easily chew through to construct their nests. Once rodents create a nest, they start on their chewing crusade, searching out items like electrical wiring, insulation, drywall and more. Wires damaged by rodents can lead to electrical problems and sometimes fires. Rodent control starts on the outside of your house to help deter them from ever having the chance to destroy the inside!

Fact #2: Rodents Reproduction Rapidly

Mice and rats can build up their populations quickly, especially if the home has a surplus of food and water for them to survive and thrive. It only takes a few months for the rodent population to multiply into a serious nuisance. Rodents reproduce rapidly, here’s the breakdown:

• • Mice — A mouse can have up to 10 litters in one year with at least six young in every litter. However, it’s not uncommon for a mouse to have 12 babies in a litter. It takes mice seven weeks to become adults, allowing more and more mice to be born in a short time
  • Rats — Female rats can have seven litters in one year with a maximum of 14 young for every litter. Rats become adults in four weeks, which allows several generations of rats to be born during 12 months.

Of course, you’ve got to consider how many females are born in each litter – be it rats or mice. The number of rodents inside the home can grow exponentially in just one year which is why rodent control is so important.

Fact #3: Rodent Urine, Contaminated Air and Potential Diseases

Is it true you can get diseases caused by rat droppings? Unfortunately, yes. That and more. Once these rodents have established their nest – and potentially before it’s done – the mouse or rat will go looking for food and water in the home. While doing this, the rodent will litter their paths and hangouts with urine and feces, which contaminates everything within close proximity.  Now, it may not seem like a big deal, but consider if these extremists get into your pantry or food storage areas. Anytime you come in contact with these areas you are exposed to potentially harmful bacteria.

You may think your boxed food is safe, but rats and mice have extremely sharp teeth. This allows them to quickly chew through bags and boxes.

Even with protective food and water storage containers, the reality is that rodents are dangerous. Simply breathing in dust or air tainted by rodent urine and droppings can spread illness or disease. Rodents can cause diseases such as salmonellosis, Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome, Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever, Rat-Bite Fever, Arenaviruses, and Leptospirosis.

Contact Ryan Lawn & Tree For Effective Rodent Control

It is so important to take the necessary precautions to safeguard your home and family from a rodent infestation. Look for rodent deterrents and seal entry points to keep rodents from making your home, their home. And if you are looking for extra protection, consider Rodent Guard from Ryan Lawn & Tree. We can set up Rodent Guard around the perimeter of your property and help successfully reduce the population of mice, rats, voles and other small rodents. For larger pests, we offer mole reduction services as well!

Give us a call at 855.216.2293 or Contact Us today to schedule your free estimate. We look forward to controlling your rodent infestation this winter and year-round!