When people think of having rodent issues, there is likely a common picture that comes to mind: a lone mouse or rat scavenging for food and hiding under appliances and behind furniture in order to avoid the risk of people or pets finding them. While it is possible to have just one rodent making an appearance in your home, it is much more common for there to be more than one in the immediate area. Since rodents are nocturnal and prefer to nest in secluded places, it can be difficult to determine how many are actually living in your home. Both rats and mice are fast reproducers, so a couple of rodents can quickly turn into a full infestation if they are not removed immediately. Unfortunately, the idea of filthy rodents living in our homes is not the only frustration that comes with an invasion.

Rodents infamously chew on everything in sight, but it is surprisingly not just to spite us. Their teeth are open-rooted, meaning they will continue growing until the rodent cannot eat anymore. Rats and mice keep their teeth filed down by chewing on anything they can, including furniture, cardboard, fabric, insulation, and wood. They will also chew through any electrical wiring, which is a huge fire hazard and is actually the cause of 20% of house fires every year. 

An even higher risk than a house fire is the risk of contamination. This is because rats and mice are filthy critters that carry a lot of bacteria and dangerous pathogens from the time that they are very young. They can transmit diseases to us through their bites, droppings, urine, scratches, and feet. If a rodent walks across the kitchen counter, that counter is now contaminated and should be sanitized immediately. Hantavirus and salmonellosis are just two of the common rodent-transmitted diseases, and all of them can have detrimental health effects if the disease is not promptly treated. With regular services and effective treatments, rodents will not be able to stick around long enough to cause this much trouble. Pointe is dedicated to keeping all Collinsville homes and businesses rodent-free through our long-term solutions. Contact us for more information about our environmentally-friendly rodent services!