What Happens If You Ignore A Rodent Problem?

A rodent infestation is one of the biggest and most common problems a home or business owner can face. Nearly fifteen million homes in the United States have a rodent infestation. That number goes up even higher when you include businesses. If you think the sight of one mouse or rat on your property is not a problem, the price you pay for ignoring it can be steep, and if an infestation is left unchecked, consequences set in faster than you may think. Mice have, on average, eight litters a year, each with as many as seven pups. Rats reproduce six times a year, with around eight pups in each litter. As a result, the populations explode. If you see one creature, there are likely others to contend with.

People often wonder how they get inside in the first place. It normally happens through gaps in the siding, cracks in the foundation, holes in the walls, or spaces in the flooring. Mice and rats can squeeze through small holes. Mice can get through holes and cracks the size of a pencil, and rats do not need much more. As they climb through those spaces, they gradually expand the holes, worsening them until other, larger pests can fit through. To the untrained eye, these openings may not seem like much and can be easily disregarded, and without sealing them up with a rodent-proof material, your home becomes a rodent highway. 

Many openings are created because they chew on everything they can find. Their teeth constantly grow, and the creatures need to whittle them down. If they don't, the teeth can grow into their skulls, eventually killing them. Rat's teeth are so strong they can gnaw through concrete. One of their favorite targets is wires because they can sharpen their teeth on the metal and use the insulation for their nests. They can short out appliances and electrical fixtures and start fires. Their nests also serve as fuel to help fires spread once sparks start flying. A single rodent can start a fire, and the fire risk increases as the number and length of time they are present increases.  

They're destructive in other ways, too. Rodents build nests to provide shelter, have babies, and keep their offspring warm. Inside your home or business, that often means tearing up insulation, chewing up wooden support beams, and ripping apart furniture. Outside, they typically create their nests from materials like twigs and leaves, and they may bring them inside. The debris can contain other pests like ants and, when dried, can become part of a fire hazard. They typically store food near where they settle, and piles of stored leftovers can attract other bugs and animals, creating another problem altogether.

Sometimes, rodents find themselves trapped within the walls. When they pass away, their bodies emit a foul odor. That stench can be so strong it leads to headaches and migraines.  It isn't just people that are affected; fleas are attracted to that smell, and the decaying rodent can lead to a flea infestation. If you believe the smell fades eventually, so why bother; the smell isn't the only problem. As the body decays, the fluids can leak and contaminate drywall, insulation, and ceiling material, creating another expensive problem.

Contamination isn't just a risk to building materials. Rodents spread many diseases. The germs are spread through saliva, urine, and droppings, so you don't have to contact the rodent directly to be exposed. One mouse can have 50-70 droppings daily, so the numbers produced by an infestation can be staggering. Any food they've touched should be immediately discarded to avoid that threat.  If you ignore a rodent infestation, contaminated material skyrockets, and conditions can deteriorate.

If you spot even one rat or mouse, you should immediately call a pest control professional.

You won't find a better or more dedicated company in New Jersey than Elite Pest Control. We understand the urgency your family experiences when you have an infestation in your home or business. Our experts can quickly and efficiently eliminate your infestation, close all access points, and ensure the problem doesn't repeat itself. We can also educate you on the best practices for removing attractants, some as simple as changing the containers you store food in or cutting back bushes from around your house. We are the top-rated pest control and nuisance wildlife removal service in Belford, Asbury Park, Monmouth Beach, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to schedule an estimate or for more information about our services.