Are rats cute, cuddly, pets? Are they creepy little pests? It Depends on who you ask. We’re here to help you with rodent issues as we kick off Rodent Awareness Week. Read on to get the scoop!
I’VE READ RODENTS CARRY DISEASES. IS THIS TRUE?
Wild rodents–such as the ones you may have caught rummaging through your trash–carry many diseases that can be harmful to humans. These diseases can be transferred via their urine and feces, with fleas or ticks that might be along for the ride, or through their saliva because of a bite. Take it from the pros, who had this to say:
“Not only is a rodent infestation a nuisance, but these pests are known to spread a variety of dangerous diseases, including Salmonella, murine typhus, infectious jaundice, rat-bite fever and the potentially fatal Hantavirus,” said Franklin’s VP of Operations. “It’s important for homeowners to know how to spot a rodent infestation within their homes and to take the necessary steps to avoid these unwanted visitors.”
Contact your local pest experts if you suspect you might have a rodent infestation. Franklin Pest Solutions stresses the importance of this to protect structural damage and health.
SIGNS OF A RODENT INFESTATION
- Droppings: These pellets are often left behind in places where food is stored, such as kitchen cabinets or pantries, as well as under sinks, inside chewed cardboard boxes, along baseboards and on top of wall beams.
- Gnaw marks: Mice are known to bite through walls, wood and wires. The damage to wiring within walls can increase the risk for a house fire.
- Nests: Rodents prefer to nest in dark, secluded areas where there is little chance of disturbance. Be on the lookout for shredded paper products, cotton, packing materials and other fabrics, as house mice like to build nests out of these materials.
- Rub marks: Rats tend to leave dark grease or dirt marks — from their oily fur — along walls and floorboards as they follow a trail throughout the home between their nest and food.
- Strange noises: Scurrying in the walls or in the attic could mean a rodent family is present. Rodents are especially fond of attics as it’s an isolated area for nest building.
I HAVE A RODENT PROBLEM. HELP!
We take great pride in our thorough coverage with our Integrated Pest Management approach that guarantees any completed pest control job with 100% customer satisfaction.
I SAW A MOUSE! OR WAS IT A RAT?
It might be hard to identify exactly which pest you have if you saw for a split second. Thankfully, the National Pest Management Association has given us a ton of resources including a slider of pest ID cards available in the slider at the bottom, but we also have a group of trained professionals with more helpful information about the pest problems you may have..
Here’s Janelle Iaccino from our sister brand Rose Pest Solutions talking about rat problems in Chicago:
That’s all for now, but Rodent Awareness Week isn’t over yet! Remember, if you’re worried about pests–even if they’re not rodents–the experts at Franklin Pest Solutions are only a call (800-GOT-PESTS) or a click away!
If you want to learn more about House Mice, Deer Mice, Norway Rats and Roof Rats, download the Rodent Pest ID Cards from Franklin Pest Solutions.
