It’s probably safe to say that no one wants to deal with a rodent infestation. Aside from being a nuisance around your home, these troublesome pests can actually be hazardous to your health and undermine the structural integrity of your home. Palm Coast Pest Control is your Top Rated Local® pest control company, and we proudly provide affordable and effective rodent control for both the east and west coast of Florida. Request your free estimate today, and in the meantime, check out a few common signs that you might have a rodent problem and why rodent infestations are dangerous.

Signs of a Rodent Infestation

A quick inspection of your home can help you determine if rodents have invaded. Using a flashlight, check behind your appliances, in your cupboards, and in your closets. The following signs could indicate rodent activity in your home:

• Spotting a mouse or rat
• Discovering droppings
• Finding rodent runways and nests
• Smelling urine odors
• Hearing scratching noises in the walls

Additionally, your pets may begin acting funny if you have a rodent infestation because they often see, smell, and hear rodents before humans do.

The Dangers of Rodent Infestations

Health Risks

Mice and rats alone are responsible for spreading more than 35 diseases to people. Some of these diseases are spread through direct handling of rodents, by coming into contact with their urine, feces, or saliva, or by being bit by a rodent. Other diseases are spread to humans indirectly by insects that have fed on an infected mouse or rat.

The most common directly transmitted diseases include:

• Hantavirus — spread by breathing in contaminated dust, direct contact with rodents, direct contact with droppings and urine.
• Leptospirosis — spread by consuming contaminated water or food, or contact with contaminated soil.
• Tularemia — spread by handling infected animal carcasses, consuming contaminated water or food, or inhaling the F. tularensis bacteria.

The most common indirectly transmitted diseases include:

• Lyme Disease — spread by infected ticks
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever — spread by infected ticks
• West Nile Virus — spread by infected mosquitoes

Structural Risks

In addition to spreading disease, rodents can cause structural damage to your home. Mice and rats constantly have to gnaw on something to keep their incisors short as they are always growing. This can cause the following structural concerns:

• Fire — exposed wires can spark and cause an electrical fire in your home.
• Flood — punctured PEX pipes can result in devastating water damage.
• Explosion — damaged gas lines are very volatile and dangerous.

Request a Free Rodent Control Estimate

Are you worried that you have a rodent problem in your Florida home? If so, Palm Coast Pest Control is here to provide you with effective pest control measures, including baiting, trapping, and monitoring, to ensure that you can enjoy a pest-free home. We also offer rodent exclusion services to repair your structure and protect against future infestations.

Ready to get started? Call 1-800-819-7378 today to schedule your inspection, or request your free rodent control estimate online now!