California’s rat problem is well known to many people. Rodents have been spotted in large numbers in commercial facilities and homes, and many people are concerned about the potential health risks. In this blog post, we will discuss the rat problem in California and provide tips for dealing with rodents effectively.
The Situation in California
Source: branchcms.com
The state of California is facing a rat problem. Rodents are invading commercial facilities and homes, causing serious issues for Los Angeles residents. The pandemic of 2020 compromised many of their natural food sources, forcing rodents infestation to look for food elsewhere.
Unfortunately, this has forced them into closer contact with humans, housing developments, and other residential areas in highly populated areas. The situation has become dire, especially since rodents can carry diseases, contaminate food, and damage property. Therefore, it is essential to understand why rats are attracted to certain areas and what you can do to prevent them from entering your home or business.
How Rodents Can Affect Your Health
Source: cycreekpestcontrol.com
Rodents can carry diseases that can be passed on to humans and contaminate food sources. In addition, rodents have conditions such as the hantavirus, which can cause fever, nausea, and muscle aches in humans. They can also carry the bubonic plague, a serious illness that can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Unfortunately, rodents aren’t limited to these few diseases; they can further pass on other conditions like:
- Leptospirosis – masks itself by causing symptoms similar to other conditions. However, left untreated can cause many health issues such as kidney damage, meningitis, liver function issues, liver failure, respiratory stress, and in some cases, death.
- Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCM) – found in house mice, it’s a neurological disease with symptoms ranging from fever, malaise, low appetite, and headaches. In some cases, you might also find nausea and vomiting symptoms.
- Rat Bite Fever – RBF can cause severe illness and death. Symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, muscle pain, joint pain or swelling, and rash.
You may think this is the worst of the danger of having rodents in your home or business, but it doesn’t stop there. Rodents also indirectly expose humans to illnesses like Babesiosis, Lyme disease, Colorado Tick Fever, and more.
Rodents Can Ruin Food Sources
Source: thebruneian.news
In addition to carrying diseases, rodents can contaminate food sources by leaving droppings and urine in pantries, cupboards, and countertops. They can also chew through food packaging, leading to food spoilage. Rodents are attracted to food sources high in sugar, fat, and protein, so it is essential to store food in airtight containers and keep your food storage area clean.
Commercial facilities that store raw food items are especially at risk, as rodents can contaminate the food and cause food-borne illnesses. These animals can enter the business through sewer lines, holes in walls, cracks, crevices, or loading docks. Once inside, they can quickly multiply and become a significant problem before anyone realizes they’re there.
Rodent feces and urine get caught up in dust, which can become airborne and breathed in by humans. This puts people at risk of contracting most of these conditions.
Rodents Can Damage Property
Source: kevsbest.com
When rodents enter your home, they aren’t just looking for food to survive on; they’re also looking for a place to nest. As a result, they will gnaw on wood, insulation, pipes, wires, and just about anything else they can get their teeth on. This can cause severe damage to your home and, in some cases, even be a fire hazard. In some cases, rodents have been known to cause fires by chewing through electrical wires.
When rodents are nesting and searching for the best place to live safely in your home, they will chew through structures to make convenient passageways to pass through your home or business undisturbed. Typically, damage like this results in hefty repair bills that someone could have prevented with proper rodent proofing. If that wasn’t bad enough, they could also leave behind horrible smells from their urine, and sometimes, feces, which can require professional assistance to remove.
How To Prevent Rodents From Entering Your Home Or Business
Source: thebruneian.news
The best way to prevent rodents from entering your home or business is to eliminate their reasons for coming to your business or residence in the first place. Commercial facilities can take some simple steps to prevent them from entering, such as sealing up cracks and holes in buildings, keeping food storage areas clean and free of clutter, and regularly inspecting for signs of rodents.
In addition, businesses should also thoroughly inspect deliveries before bringing them inside to prevent rodents from hitchhiking into your facility. Finally, as we mentioned, Rodents are attracted to food high in sugar, fat, and protein, so it is essential to store food in airtight containers and keep your food storage area clean.
Residents should also be aware of the dangers that rodents pose and take steps to prevent them from entering their homes, such as keeping their yards clean and free of debris, storing food in airtight containers, and regularly inspecting for signs of infestation. Remember, any rodent is capable of infesting your spaces and exposing you and your family to deadly diseases.
Rodent proofing your home or business is the best way to prevent an infestation. Still, suppose you do find yourself with a rodent problem. In that case, it’s essential to consider working with a professional pest control company that can provide you with the best solution for your specific situation.
Pest Control in Los Angeles
Source: immediate.com
Rodents are a serious problem, and they should be treated as such. Ignoring the issue will only worsen, and taking action as soon as you suspect you have a problem is vital. For the most comprehensive rodent control and prevention measures, consider working with Sprague Pest Solutions.
Sprague has over 90 years of experience dealing with all sorts of pests and knows how to deal with rodents. We will work with you to create a customized plan to solve your issues. We don’t do short-term solutions and will implement a rodent protection program for your home or business. Please visit our website or contact us today.
