We've all seen the nature documentaries, showing a category of mammal - small, brown, short lived, breeds in huge numbers. Whether they're rats, mice or another rodent, they're all pests that can do a number on your home, your family's health and your garden.
The most common effect of rodents (mice, rats and the like) is physical damage. They all have incisors that grow constantly, and they've got instincts that drive them to gnaw to keep them worn down. They'll gnaw their way through plumbing walls, the walls of your home, the main support beams and more to get to where food is. Worst of all is what they do to cables, which to them seem to be roots...and can cause short circuits or house fires.
While rodents are predominantly herbivores, their droppings have an odour, and so does their urine. They'll drop a pellet wherever they walk, which, since they want concealment all the time, means they'll accumulate in places that are impossible to get at - behind appliances, in crawl ways, and in walls. One rodent isn't bad - but the breeding rate of rodents means that there's never just one.
While there are very few diseases that transfer directly from rodents, rodents carry mites and fleas and other parasites that DO carry diseases that can cross over to humans.
Rickettsial Pox - A disease similar to chicken pox transmitted from the mites commonly found on rodents.
Salmonella - Food poisoning is a common problem when food comes in contact with saliva, urine or droppings of rats and mice.
Parasites such as tapeworms and trichinosis - A rodent problem increases the risk of infection by these parasites.
Hantavirus - Once thought to be rare this disease is showing up in rodents all over Australia. This serious and potentially fatal disease is spread through inhalation of dust that contains urine, saliva, or droppings. Direct infection from bites is also possible.
Rat-bite fever - This is a rare disease and as the name suggests is transmitted through a bite from a rodent.
The plague (pneumonic and bubonic) - This disease, carried by fleas and other mites that live on rodents, is thought by many to have been eradicated centuries ago; however cases are still reported today.
Let's look at some things that you can do to help keep these diseases away from your house.
First, there's keeping them out in the first place, or making your home unappealing. Look for any cracks or holes or loose plumbing fittings at about two feet or less from the ground; rats and mice can squeeze through improbably small spaces, and their usual avenue into the home is climbing the plumbing. Taking some time with a caulking gun can pay major benefits.
One of the best weapons you can have is a natural predator. Cats are a good natural solution to a rodent problem.
While not as effective as a good cat, glue traps and sticky boards are an effective way to control these pests, as are baited spring traps. The best baits are peanut butter, yogurt covered peanuts, and bits of bacon. Avoid using poisons; not only are they a risk to your children or pets, but you end up with rat carcasses rotting in inaccessible places. Leave poisoning rodents to professionals.
A small rodent infestation can be solved with any of these techniques; a larger infestation may need intervention from a professional exterminator. Definitely call an exterminator before using any kind of poison for rodents. - 16463
The most common effect of rodents (mice, rats and the like) is physical damage. They all have incisors that grow constantly, and they've got instincts that drive them to gnaw to keep them worn down. They'll gnaw their way through plumbing walls, the walls of your home, the main support beams and more to get to where food is. Worst of all is what they do to cables, which to them seem to be roots...and can cause short circuits or house fires.
While rodents are predominantly herbivores, their droppings have an odour, and so does their urine. They'll drop a pellet wherever they walk, which, since they want concealment all the time, means they'll accumulate in places that are impossible to get at - behind appliances, in crawl ways, and in walls. One rodent isn't bad - but the breeding rate of rodents means that there's never just one.
While there are very few diseases that transfer directly from rodents, rodents carry mites and fleas and other parasites that DO carry diseases that can cross over to humans.
Rickettsial Pox - A disease similar to chicken pox transmitted from the mites commonly found on rodents.
Salmonella - Food poisoning is a common problem when food comes in contact with saliva, urine or droppings of rats and mice.
Parasites such as tapeworms and trichinosis - A rodent problem increases the risk of infection by these parasites.
Hantavirus - Once thought to be rare this disease is showing up in rodents all over Australia. This serious and potentially fatal disease is spread through inhalation of dust that contains urine, saliva, or droppings. Direct infection from bites is also possible.
Rat-bite fever - This is a rare disease and as the name suggests is transmitted through a bite from a rodent.
The plague (pneumonic and bubonic) - This disease, carried by fleas and other mites that live on rodents, is thought by many to have been eradicated centuries ago; however cases are still reported today.
Let's look at some things that you can do to help keep these diseases away from your house.
First, there's keeping them out in the first place, or making your home unappealing. Look for any cracks or holes or loose plumbing fittings at about two feet or less from the ground; rats and mice can squeeze through improbably small spaces, and their usual avenue into the home is climbing the plumbing. Taking some time with a caulking gun can pay major benefits.
One of the best weapons you can have is a natural predator. Cats are a good natural solution to a rodent problem.
While not as effective as a good cat, glue traps and sticky boards are an effective way to control these pests, as are baited spring traps. The best baits are peanut butter, yogurt covered peanuts, and bits of bacon. Avoid using poisons; not only are they a risk to your children or pets, but you end up with rat carcasses rotting in inaccessible places. Leave poisoning rodents to professionals.
A small rodent infestation can be solved with any of these techniques; a larger infestation may need intervention from a professional exterminator. Definitely call an exterminator before using any kind of poison for rodents. - 16463
About the Author:
Author: Darren K. Thompson offers expert advice regarding pest control on his site where you can also discover strategies to help deal with termite infestations and other household pest problems.
