Discovering a rat or mouse in your home can be very unsettling. They are highly destructive creatures that can be difficult to eradicate. That’s why it’s crucial to identify signs of an infestation and get rid of any unwanted pests as quickly as possible to protect your home and prevent the spread of diseases transmitted by rodents1.
The longer you wait, the larger the infestation may become, causing a host of other problems. Rodents don’t just chew holes in walls and make nests; once they get inside, they can ravage food pantries, chew through wires, wood (structure and furniture), drywall, rubber, plastic pipes, insulation, aluminum, and gas lines. Here’s what you need to know about the dangers of mice and rats in Las Vegas.
Types of Rodents in Las Vegas
Here are some common rodents found in the Las Vegas area:
- Deer Mouse – A two-toned colored mouse with a white underbelly and feet that measures 3-4 inches in length. They are incredibly agile animals with sharp teeth and eat a wide variety of plant and animal matter. You might also find them stashing food away via attics and crawl spaces.
- House Mouse – These tiny rodents with light underbellies will eat almost anything. Although only measuring 1.2-3.1 inches, they can chew into and contaminate every part of a building. They are excellent climbers and extremely good at finding entry points into a home. They also reproduce rapidly.
- Norway Rats – These are large and aggressive rats (also known as Brown Rats), with a shorter tail than their body, a blunt nose, and small ears. This species weighs between 12-16 ounces and can grow up to 13-18 inches in length. These rats are likely to be found in structural infestations.
- Roof Rats – Smaller than the Norway Rat with more prominent ears and tails longer than their bodies. They usually weigh 5-10 ounces and measure 10-14 inches in length. They prefer eating seeds and nuts (such as those found in outdoor bird feeders), as well as fruits and vegetables.
If you suspect one of these rodents in your home, it is critical to take action as quickly as possible. Here is some vital information to help you understand why and how to address potential rodent infestations.
If you have a rat or mouse problem, don’t wait! Contact Fischer’s Pest Control today to request an estimate!
Why are Rodents Dangerous?
Rodents don’t just cause physical damage to your home; they also carry diseases that can be easily spread simply by their presence in your home. These include hantavirus2, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), Tularemia, and Salmonella, which can make humans and other pets seriously ill.
RELATED: How to Keep Your Pets Safe During a Rodent Infestation
How Rodents Contaminate Your Home
Mice and rats in your home can be dangerous for several reasons, one being they are a health hazard. Here are some of the ways they can spread germs and diseases.
1. Your Food Supply
Rats and mice are excellent climbers. They can quickly get into your kitchen, on tables, into your pantry, and contaminate your food supply. Even if they nibbled just a little, tampered food products should be discarded to protect humans from infection.
2. Urine and Droppings
Because of their small size and agile bodies, these rats and mice can squeeze through incredibly narrow spaces throughout your home and leave behind disease-riddled urine or droppings. Due to their small size, you may unknowingly touch or sit on a contaminated item.
3. Leaving Behind Residue
Even if they don’t chew on food or leave droppings, diseases can spread through their paws or saliva. Just having them walking around inside your home could potentially expose you and your pets to serious illness.
Don’t put yourself and your family at risk! Contact our rodent experts today at 702-815-7894 to learn more about our services.
Signs of a Rat or Mouse Infestation
Being aware of signs that indicate you have a mice or rat infestation is the best way to stay on top of a problem before it gets out of control. Take action immediately if you notice any of the following:
- Holes chewed in walls (inside or outside your home)
- Chew marks on food or tampered food containers
- Droppings or urine in corners, windowsills, under sinks, or anyplace in your home
- Mice or rat nests
- Scratching noises in walls or ceilings
- Odor from urine
Does Seeing One Rat or Mouse Mean There Might be More?
Rodents are nocturnal animals and prefer to be most active at night when humans and other predators are less active. They are skilled at staying out of sight, so coming across one in your home likely means there are more to be found. Rodents seek warmth and refuge by building nests and congregating in groups. Because of their social nature, they reproduce quickly and often. Mice have been known to produce a litter every 20 days with at least six mice!
Knowing what to look for and investigating any suspicious activity is key to protecting your home, family, and pets from these invasive creatures.
The Best Pest Protection is Prevention
Make sure you’re actively taking steps to prevent rodents from entering your home. If you have the unfortunate experience of coming across evidence of them, or even worse, running into one, be sure to utilize the necessary resources to get them out of your house as quickly as possible. Contact our pest control technicians today to learn how we can help.
Sources:
1Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Diseases directly transmitted by rodents. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
2Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD). Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Retrieved 11 November 2021.