The Importance of Staying Vigilant Against Rodents
An outbreak of hantavirus on an Atlantic cruise ship in April has heightened awareness of the health risks associated with wild rodents.
While hantavirus can cause serious and potentially deadly illness in humans, contact with rodent waste, fur or saliva carries a wide range of health risks and signs of rodent activity should never be ignored.
In addition to harmful bacteria and viruses, rodents can also harbor disease-spreading ticks and fleas, and rodent fur, saliva and urine can trigger severe allergic reactions.
The Andes strain of hantavirus identified in the cruise ship outbreak is transmitted via an airborne virus shed in droppings or saliva and is the only known strain to spread from person to person. But while its consequences include potentially fatal lung and kidney damage, health officials describe the risk of infection as low, and it is only one of more than two dozen bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases spread directly and indirectly by rodents, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Protect Your Buildings and Tenants from Rodent-Related Health Risks
For property and building owners and managers, any sign of rodent activity in or around buildings is a red flag that should be addressed immediately.
Rodents create health safety and maintenance risks that can quickly escalate from a small problem to a big one. In addition to health risks, rodents can cause significant structural damage, chewing through wood, drywall and wiring.
Prevention is the ideal strategy, but whether you need to identify and seal off potential entry points or see signs that rodents may already be making themselves at home, experienced and professional support is a critical advantage in keeping your property safe from rodent-related risks.
Rodents are resilient and well-adapted to hiding within walls, ceilings, utility spaces and storage areas, making it difficult to determine the true extent of an infestation. In addition, DIY attempts to eradicate or clean up after a rodent infestation may amplify health risks, including the risk that rodent activity near ventilation systems could result in the spread of harmful airborne pathogens.
Rodent Activity Should Never Be Overlooked
Activity from small rodents such as rats and mice can be easy to dismiss at first, but a single rodent sighting is rarely an isolated event.
The most effective rodent control strategies begin with the identification of potential entry points and food sources.
Rodent activity is often a sign of underlying property vulnerabilities. Gaps around doors, damaged vents, utility spaces, cluttered storage areas and poorly managed waste provide rodents with access to food, water and shelter. Left unaddressed, these conditions can attract and support growing rodent populations.
What may seem like a minor nuisance can quickly become a larger problem. Early detection is essential to an effective rodent management plan. Beyond these preliminary measures, follow-up assessments by trained experts ensure successful eradication and ongoing prevention.
Experienced, Effective Removal and Control of Mice, Rats & Other Rodents
Don’t take chances with rodent activity. Whether you’re dealing with signs of an active infestation or simply want to identify risks, a professional pest inspection will ensure that you have the right strategies to prevent, eradicate and remediate the risk and damage that rodents introduce. We work with managers and owners of a wide array of commercial and residential properties including health care facilities, schools, restaurants and apartment buildings.
Our approach is thorough, effective and safe. Contact us to learn more about our rodent control and exclusion services or schedule an inspection today.