Mention the word rodent and most people will squirm, they are generally perceived as disease-ridden dirty animals and certainly not something you would want to have in your home. Of course, you don’t want any rodents or pests in your home, it’s your space to relax and feel safe.
That’s why, if you see a rodent in your home, you should immediately contact your local pest control experts and get the matter dealt with.
But, there are several important questions you should be asking yourself to help prevent the rodent’s return.
1. What is a rodent?
Say rodent and you’ll think mouse or rat, and you’d be right. In fact, a rodent is any mammal that gnaws. This includes rats and mice, squirrels, hamsters, and porcupines. Rodents don’t have canine teeth, just incisors, which are perfect for gnawing.
They are actually the largest group of mammals,approximately 40% of mammals are rodents!
Rodents are also very adaptable, they can live in almost any habitat, from a burrow in the ground to a spot in the corner of your cupboard.
2. Why are they targeting my home?
Rodents are like any other mammal or creature, they need somewhere warm to shelter, a reliable source of food, and some water. Your home generally offers all three of these criteria. The home itself is a shelter for the rodents, your waste food can feed them, and there is almost always a water source of some description available. This may be pet water bowls, a leaking pipe, or simply water sitting in the sink.
The only way to prevent them from finding your home attractive is to make sure all water leaks are repaired and all food is stored in sealed containers. You’ll also need to clean the work surfaces regularly and the floors, ensuring there are no traces of food to attract rodents.
3. Do they carry disease?
The short answer is yes. Rodents do carry disease and you can contact the illness through bites from the rodent or via contact with their bodily fluids and excretions.
Rodents can actually carry a wide array of diseases, including hantavirus, Lassa fever, plague, rat-bite fever, salmonellosis, and tularemia.
That’s why you need to handle them and their droppings with care.
4. How do I get rid of them?
The best way is to click here and find out more about your local pest control expert. However, you can also take steps to prevent them from getting into your home. This means visually inspecting your home to eliminate any potential entry points for mice, rats, and other rodents. You also need to store food properly, remove water sources, and clean regularly.
5. Are Rodents Useful?
Rodents are actually used by humans for a variety of purposes. For example, the brown and black rat is commonly used in laboratories for testing, in line with government legislation. Interesting, these are the two that are most likely to be found in your home and will spread disease.
But, they also have similar genetic make-up to humans, making them a good choice for a variety of medical tests.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
