The Need for Defense: Why Rodent-Proofing your Property is Essential
By Space Coast Daily // July 10, 2023
Rodent infestations can cause significant destruction and disruption to home and business owners.
Rats, mice, and other rodents chew through wiring, spread disease, contaminate food sources, damage insulation, and create other problems for homeowners. Rodents can reproduce rapidly and quickly take over a property if left unchecked. In the worst cases, rodent infestations may even lead to structural damage due to their gnawing habits.
Rodent-proofing your property is essential for various reasons, mainly health and safety. Rodents also carry hazardous diseases and cause severe illness if contracted. Diseases carried by rodents include hantavirus, plague, salmonellosis, leptospirosis, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV). These diseases are transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings or urine. Furthermore, rodents can spread fleas and transmit illnesses like bubonic plague and tapeworms.
In addition to spreading disease, pests can pose a fire hazard to a property due to chewing electrical wiring and cables, which causes potential short circuits that can cause fires. Furthermore, rodents such as rats and mice chew on materials such as wood and drywall to create nesting sites. It can not only damage the structure of a building but also increase the risk of fire or health hazards due to vermin droppings.
Rodents cause property damage by chewing through insulation and furniture fabrics, damaging carpets, eating pantry items, and contaminating stored food with droppings and urine. The costs associated with rodent-proofing your property can be significant compared to repairing damages caused by these pests.
Tips to help you protect your home from rodents
One of the most effective ways to protect your property from rodents is to ensure that there are no points of entry for them into the building. It means sealing up any cracks or openings in walls, ceilings, and foundations. These include areas around pipes, vents, window frames, doorways, and other gaps. Additionally, ensure windows and doors are permanently closed and sealed correctly when not used, helping to reduce the chances of a rodent finding its way inside.
Another tip to prevent rodents from invading your property is to keep it clean regularly and ensure that all fresh food items are stored in airtight containers or refrigerators so that they do not attract pests. Avoid leaving pet food outside overnight, as this can be an attractive meal for rodents. Additionally, regularly dispose of garbage and keep outdoor areas clear of clutter where rodents can find spaces to hide and nest.
Rodent-proofing materials such as steel wool can also be used around entry points to deter pests from entering your home. Steel wool is tough for rodents to chew through but may need replacing as it can rust over time. It is also important to prune back trees away from buildings to reduce access points into the home and remove any objects, such as woodpiles, away from the house, which could act as hiding spots for pests.
Consider using natural methods such as traps or repellents containing peppermint oil or ammonia-based solutions, which can help keep rats away from the area without harming them. Ultrasonic sound machines are another popular option that emits high-frequency sound waves designed to repel rodents without harming them physically or psychologically.
The benefits of using a professional rodent proofing and clean-up service
A professional rodent proofing and clean-up service can provide many benefits, such as ensuring that your property is adequately protected from rodents. Professional pest control companies are experienced in dealing with infestations and have access to effective treatments, such as baits, traps, and exclusion devices. These measures will help keep rodents out of your home or business premises without harming them physically or psychologically.
Professional services can help identify problem areas on your property that may be more vulnerable to an infestation. They have the necessary experience and expertise to detect entry points for pests so they can be sealed up before any damage is done. It helps reduce the risk of fire hazards due to chewing electrical wiring and cables caused by rodents entering the premises undetected.
A professional rodent-proofing service also offers clean-up services if there has been an existing infestation on your property. Cleaning up after a rodent infestation requires special care as it involves dealing with potentially hazardous materials like droppings or urine, which could cause severe illness if not handled correctly. Professional cleaners use specialized equipment designed for this purpose, ensuring all contamination traces are removed safely and efficiently from the area. Avoid rodent infestation clean-up and repair costs by taking the necessary steps to protect your property.
All in all
Rodent-proofing your property is essential for avoiding costly repairs, health risks, and other dangers these pests can bring. Taking the time to inspect your home or business for potential entry points, preventing rodent access, cleaning regularly, sealing up any cracks or gaps, using natural methods, and hiring a professional pest control company are all great ways to ensure you keep rodents from damaging your property.