Discover What Sort of Damage Do Rodents Cause and How to Protect Your Home
Wondering what sort of damage do rodents cause? Rodents, including rats, mice, and squirrels, can wreak havoc on homes, gardens, and businesses. From chewing through walls and wires to spreading diseases, discover the risks and how to prevent infestations in Arizona
If rodents aren’t dealt with quickly, they can create bigger problems, endangering both your health and the environment. In this post, we will look at the most common types of rodents in Arizona, what sort of damage do rodents cause, and how to deal with them.
We offer rodent control services in Phoenix and Gilbert. If you live in the area, including Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, or Peoria, contact us for a free quote!
What Sort of Damage Do Rodents Cause?
Rodents are small but can cause big problems, especially in Arizona. Rats and mice are the most common rodents here. They are known for chewing through anything, causing major damage to homes and businesses. They can destroy walls, insulation, plumbing, and electrical wiring. In fact, rats and mice cause about 20% of undetermined house fires in the U.S.
Rodents can also damage your garden and crops. Gophers and squirrels, for example, often chew on plant roots, which can kill plants.
Rodents are also a health risk. They carry dangerous diseases like hantavirus, leptospirosis, and salmonella. They can contaminate food and water, putting both people and pets at risk. A rodent infestation also creates unpleasant smells and dirty conditions.
Here’s a summary of what sort of damage do rodents cause in Arizono rodents cause?
- Damage to buildings, walls, and electrical wiring
- Harm to gardens and crops
- Spread of dangerous diseases and contamination of food and water
- Bad smells and unsanitary conditions
- Damage to personal items like clothes, furniture, and more
To prevent rodent infestations, take steps like sealing holes, removing food and water sources, and setting traps. If you think you have an infestation, contact a pest control expert to remove rodents and stop further damage.
Signs of a Rodent Infestation
You don’t want rodents in your home. But there are several signs that help you spot a rodent problem early. Here are the most common signs:
- Droppings: Rodent droppings are a clear sign. Rat droppings are about half an inch long, dark brown or black, and shaped like a penne noodle. Mouse droppings are smaller, pointed, and look like grains of rice. Look for them near food, in cupboards, or on countertops.
- Gnaw Marks: Rats and mice have sharp teeth and chew on almost anything, like wood, plastic, metal, and electrical wiring. Look for gnaw marks on baseboards, doors, and other surfaces. Damaged wiring is especially dangerous because it can cause a fire.
- Nesting Materials: Rats and mice build nests from things like paper, fabric, and insulation. If you find shredded paper or fabric in cupboards, drawers, or behind appliances, take action.
- Scratching Noises: Rodents are most active at night. If you hear scratching or gnawing sounds from walls or ceilings, it’s likely you have unwanted guests.
- Odors: A musty or stale smell means rodents are living in your home. If you notice this, act fast to remove them.
How Do Rats and Mice Get Into Your Home?
Rats and mice can get into your home in many ways. Here are the most common ways they get inside:
- Holes and Cracks: Rats and mice can squeeze through tiny openings. They can enter through gaps around pipes, vents, and utility lines, or through holes in walls, floors, and ceilings. Rats can fit through a hole the size of a nickel, while mice can fit through a hole as small as a dime.
- Open Doors and Windows: Rodents can climb walls, trees, and utility lines to reach open doors and windows, especially if food or shelter is nearby. Keep pet doors closed or install a rodent-proof cover.
- Roof and Attic: Rats are great climbers. They can scale walls, trees, and pipes to reach your roof and enter your attic through vents or other openings.
- Drainage and Sewer Systems: Rats can use drainage and sewer systems to enter homes. They climb pipes or find openings in sewer lines, especially in older plumbing systems.
To stop rodents from getting inside, close holes around pipes and vents, patch wall and floor holes, and make sure doors and windows are secure.
Common Rodents in Arizona
Here are some common rodents found in Arizona:
- Roof rats
- House mice
- Pack rats
- Deer mice
- Cotton rats
- Ground squirrels
- Packet gophers
- Voles
Each of these species requires different prevention and control methods.
Identifying Common Rodents in Arizona
To identify rodents in Arizona, look for their size, shape, fur color, and tail length. You may also notice features like large ears or a musky smell.
- House Mouse: Small (2-3 inches long), with a similar-length tail. Its fur is gray or brown with a lighter belly, and it has large ears and a musky odor.
- Roof Rats: Larger, 12-16 inches long, with a long, thin body and a tail longer than its body. They have large, pointed ears and a pointed snout, and their fur is gray or black.
- Pack Rats: Native to the desert, they collect food and other items to build large nests called middens. They often chew on wires and hoses in vehicles.
- Deer Mice: Small (2-4 inches long), with a bicolored tail and pointed snout. Their fur is gray or brown with a white belly, and they have large, dark eyes.
Ecological and Structural Damage Caused by Rodents: From Grain Destruction to Biodiversity Loss
Rodents cause a lot of damage in many ways. They eat large amounts of grains, spread diseases that can contaminate food, gnaw on bones and materials, and harm ecosystems by stopping tree growth and reducing biodiversity.
Rats and mice are known for causing serious damage in different places. They eat a lot of grains and can spread diseases by contaminating food. Their damage goes beyond farms and gardens. For example, eating too many nuts can stop trees from growing, which harms forests and wildlife.
Rodents leave clear signs of their presence by gnawing on things. They leave marks on bones, like grooves from their sharp teeth, which can be a problem for both archaeologists and people today. They also chew on wires and young trees, which can damage homes and affect plant growth.
A good example of the damage rodents cause is Lord Howe Island. When black rats were introduced there, bird, insect, and plant populations dropped sharply. This shows how big an impact rodents can have on nature.
Conclusion
Rodents can threaten your home, business, or property. At Blue Sky Pest Control, we’ve been offering reliable rodent control in the Gilbert and Phoenix areas for over 20 years. Using trapping, exclusion, and sanitation methods, we can eliminate rodent infestations and prevent future problems.
We use eco-friendly and humane pest control solutions safe for both humans and pets. We also offer ongoing maintenance for long-term protection. If you have a rodent problem, contact Blue Sky Pest Control for an inspection.