While rodents might seem like a small, even cute pest, they are a lot more dangerous than many Frisco homeowners realize. A rodent infestation can cause a great deal of property damage and also pose significant health risks. Despite their adorable appearance, they aren’t an animal that you want in or around your home.
The other concern with rodents is how common of a pest they are. If you're a homeowner, you’ll likely encounter a rat or mouse problem at one point or another.
While rats and mice are two different species, the problems they cause are quite similar. They can also look alike, so we’ve provided a brief guide to help you tell these two species apart.
- Mice: These small mammals are a common pest that is slightly smaller than rats. They have a pointed nose and ears that are proportionally rather large. They are usually a grey or light cream color, and they have tails that are about the same length as their bodies.
- Rats: Two species of rats are common in the Frisco area: Norway rats and roof rats. Norway rats are a grey color with a lighter underbelly. They have blunt noses and small ears, and their tails are hairless and shorter than their bodies. Roof rats, on the other hand, are dark brown or black with long, thin bodies. They have hairless tails that are longer than their bodies.
How Much Property Damage Can Rodents Cause?
Because of their small size, it can be easy to think that rodents can’t do too much damage, but their looks can be deceiving. While they might be small, they can do a great deal of destruction to your home because of their tendency to chew and gnaw. They are constant gnawers, and while rats can do slightly more damage because they are bigger, mice reproduce more quickly so their numbers can become overwhelming.
Here is a list of just some of the items that rodents can damage in your house:
- Electrical wires
- Plumbing and pipes
- Drywall and wood
- Materials like clothing, leather, plastic, and more
Rodents have been known to chew on basically anything softer than a hard enamel, so they can destroy both internal structures in your home as well as smaller items like clothing.
Are Rodents Dangerous To Your Health?
While the property damage that rodents cause is bad enough, the even bigger risk is the health problems they can cause. This makes rodents an especially invasive pest as they can destroy property and also spread diseases.
The following is a list of the many health risks that rodents pose for Frisco homeowners:
- They can carry and spread 35 diseases including salmonella.
- They can cause allergic reactions.
- Rodents can carry parasites.
- Their saliva, urine, and feces can carry disease.
- In severe cases, their droppings can cause respiratory problems.
How To Protect Your Home From Rodents
Because rodents pose many risks to homeowners, the best and safest way to deal with a rodent infestation is to contact the experts at All-Sale Pest & Termite. We can help with rodent prevention and removal to keep you and your family safe from these dangerous pests. We can even provide a free estimate for these services. Give us a call today to find out more or schedule an appointment.