The rodent family is the largest family of mammals in the world. It includes mice, rats, porcupines, guinea pigs, and more. However, for the purpose of referring to the dangers of rodents to your family, we will focus mainly on what are considered “pest rodents”, i.e. mice and rats. These animals can not only be a nuisance to your family, but also dangerous to your family. If you suspect you have a rodent infestation, find out more information here.
Damage to Property
Due to their ever-growing incisor teeth, rodents have an excellent ability to chew through almost any material. This is particularly dangerous with electrical wiring. As their teeth continuously grow, rodents like to chew things to file them down.
If a rodent has found its way into your home, wires are an attractive chew toy as they are slim enough for them to hold in their hand while they chew. If a rodent can successfully chew through a wire it can be dangerous at worst and an inconvenience at best. This of course depends on what wire the rodent has chewed through. This can also be extremely expensive to replace if it is for a key appliance such as a washing machine.
If it is an electrical wire it could alert or break security systems without your knowledge, putting your home in danger or alerting emergency services to your property without your knowledge. This could also start fires, as electrical sparks may continue to come out of the wire, threatening your home and safety. The damage in this instance is unimaginable. If you fear you have a rodent problem, you should check electrical wires near the sighting or suspected activity to ensure everything is as it should be.
Damage to Vehicles
Cars are not safe from rodents either, just as rodents can chew through home wires they may also chew through car wires. This is extremely dangerous and poses an immediate threat depending on the wire. Specifically, if they chew through a critical wire such as the brake wire.
Cars that have been stored for a long time where rodents may have reached (which could be anywhere due to their excellent ability to get into small spaces) should be extensively checked for damage before you begin driving them again.
Health Risk
The other critical risk from rodents is their ability to carry and pass disease. The issue here is that you do not need to be in direct contact with the rodent in order for it to pass diseases to you. As the rodent moves through your home, it leaves a trail of bacteria behind which can then be transmitted to you via shared surfaces, worktops, etc. Rodents typically live in sewers, garbage bins, eat rubbish, and live in the wild. Therefore, there is a wide range of bacteria and diseases they can come in contact with and introduce to your home.
Not only this, but if you have any household pets, they are also at risk in the exact same way, and are also more likely to be bitten by a rodent. This causes a more direct health risk and if this occurs you should take your pet to the vet as soon as possible.
Although rodents can live peacefully and sustainably in the wild, if they enter your home or property they pose a huge range of risks. Not only to you but your family, pets, and belongings. Contact All Star Animal Trapping to help keep your home, and everything in it, safe from rodents.
