Dangers of Rodent Infestations

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated August 23, 2013)

There have been plenty of movies, stories, and even television shows about the dangers of rodent infestations. But, all of this media attention kind of begs the question of how accurate they really are. While it is easy to get scared about what you see in the movies, just how worried should you become if you start seeing rodents around your home or business? Here is some information on the dangers of rodent infestations that can help you determine that for yourself.

  • Food. Rodents, such as mice or rats, have a tendency to chew through literally anything to get to food. This means that if you have a rodent infestation you can pretty much guarantee that your food stores will be tampered with. If the rodent infestation goes on long enough you can easily expect the infestation to get larger since the more they eat the more they breed.
  • Bites. Rodents will bite, and they will bite hard. If you are not careful and don't remove any potential infestation as soon as you see the signs of it, you can easily find your family members, pets, or even you getting bit at some point or another. These bites, besides being painful, can also carry other dangers such as infection, or rabies in the worst case scenarios.
  • Illnesses. Besides the possibility of catching rabies, there are other illnesses that you can potential catch from having a rodent infestation. For example, the hantavirus, which can lead to all kinds of health problems. These diseases can be caught whether you handle the rodents directly, or simply if they run across the countertops while you are not in the room.
  • Air quality. Rodents tend to live in areas that are somewhat dirty, nasty, and just plain filthy, which means that the overall air quality isn't going to be all that good. Additionally rodents, like anything with some fur, will tend to shed. This hair, and dander, can lead to some rather nasty allergy attacks which can make the quality of life for those who have them not that great.
  • General hygiene. Unless they are kept as pets and taken careful, rodents aren't really known for being all that hygienic. When they relive themselves, they tend to do it anywhere and everywhere, which can lead to a general decline in hygiene for the entire household. Decreased hygiene can then lead to other health problems which can make life unnecessarily difficult.

As you can see, rodent infestations can be rather dangerous. It is for this reason, if no other, that you should begin looking for methods that you can use to get rid of your rodent problem as soon as you see the first symptoms. This can be done through your own efforts or by hiring a professional; just make sure that you get the job done.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Removing Popcorn Ceiling Texture

For years popcorn ceiling texturing has been a popular choice among homeowners. However, just because it used to be ...

Discover More

Planning a College Road Trip

Going to college can easily be one of the most overwhelming experiences anyone can go through. Take out some of the ...

Discover More

Planting Lamb's Ear

Are you looking for a great ground cover plant that doesn't require a lot extraneous care? If so, then you may want to ...

Discover More

Zap Flying Bugs! Simply press the button and swing. Once the fly, wasp, mosquito, or bug touches the screen it is instantly zapped! Simple to use and totally effective. No cords to tangle; uses only two AA batteries. Check out Executioner Flying Bug Swatter today!

More Pest Tips

Mouse Trap Safety

If you have a rodent problem, then chances are you are thinking of using some traps to get rid of the problem. The ...

Discover More

Do-It-Yourself Rodent Removal

Once you find a rodent in your home it is necessary to locate the nest and entry points. Rodents multiply quickly so time ...

Discover More

Stop Mice with Steel Wool

If you shut down the avenues of ingress and egress for mice, then you should not have a problem with mice in your home. ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 6 - 0?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)