Don’t let the movie Ratatouille foul you. We wish we could say that all rodents are like Remy the rat, with dreams of becoming a professional chef in Paris. Unfortunately, this is not the case. However, what Disney did get right that a rodent is a kitchen’s worst nightmare – and in our case, a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Here are four facts about rodents that will help you understand why you don’t want them calling your house home.
High Reproduction Rate
Rodents, and rats more specifically, reproduce at an incredibly high rate. A female rat can give birth to up to 15 litters of rat babies in a year. Oh, and did we mention that there are about 10 to 15 rats a litter? Let’s say a mom rat decided to call your attic home for the next year. Statistically, you can expect that your attic will be home to around 90 new rats in just six months time.
Love the Social Life
Rodents are social in nature. They are always in a community of other rats and mice. In these communities, they grow, play and groom one another. Oh, and did we mention they can laugh? Their laugh sounds like a high-pitched squeal and can be heard when they are playing. Moral of the story is where you find one rodent, you can find an entire community.
Diseases on Diseases on Diseases
According to the CDC, there are least 35 possible diseases that rats and mice can spread to humans. But how? Rodents are known to not particularly favor being in the limelight and interacting with humans. Diseases such as rat-bite fever, salmonellosis and hantavirus are easily spread through feces/urine, salvia and fleas.
Long Teeth
Did you know that rodents’ teeth never stop growing? Ever. No wonder these little guys are wizards when it comes to chewing through electrical cables and wires. In fact, their teeth can grow up to five inches a year. Instinctually, rodents will find a way to file down their teeth – don’t let it be your home.
The four facts that make rodents unique are the same reason they are unwanted in households across the world. Contact Dustin Pest Control today for a quote on rodent removal services.