Health Risks of Rodents in Virginia Homes—and How to Eliminate Them

Recommendation for Rodents? Remove Them. 

Eh… what’s up, Doc? Nothing much, as long as you're only dealing with rabbits. Rats and mice, on the other hand, are much less cute, and much more hazardous. What’s a homeowner to do when rodents are living somewhere within their walls? Well, whatever you do, don’t ignore them - experts say rodents simply have to be removed sooner rather than later. Here’s why. 

There have been increased reports of rodent sightings in Virginia, but it’s not as unusual as you might think. It’s a myth that rodents only seek shelter during colder times. In fact, summertime can be equally rife with rats. It all comes down to the warmer temperatures we’re seeing, bringing more food sources for rodents to feed on as they move around.

And sooner or later, they find a permanent home in YOUR home… or so they think. You can’t let rodents lay down roots - lest you risk endangering your family. Why? They don’t just wake you up at night, eat your food, or leave droppings on your counter. They also present serious health risks.

Squeaky Sickness

It’s no wonder the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have clear guidance when it comes to tolerating rodents in human dwellings: don’t!

That's because of the worrying health risks associated with wild rodents:

• Hantaviruses
• Lassa virus
• Salmonella

These are just some of the conditions that such animals can spread - a grave concern for individuals and families alike.

What can you do?

Of course, you don’t have to put on your rat-catching gloves. The best move, experts say, is to call professional technicians with the skills and experience to solve recurring or one-off issues related to rat or mouse infestations. And with their removal, you can rest assured that your home will be much healthier.

Pest control technicians will tailor their services in response to each unique threat, following the results of an on-site investigation. If rodents are riling you up, your best options will typically be exclusion or trapping - each equally effective at ridding homes of dangerous rodents.

Exclusion vs Trapping

As a more proactive approach, exclusion is all about preventing rats and mice from entering your homes. Pest control professionals will seal off entry points and make your house far less appealing to miniature trespassers. Can’t infect what they can’t infest, after all!

Still, exclusion might not work if the rodents are already in your home. That’s where trapping comes in handy, involving the strategic placement of traps that uphold high standards of eco-friendliness and safety for any children and pets living within your property. The goal? To bait rats and mice for later removal - courtesy of licensed pest control professionals.

The best pest removal companies will take responsibility for their work, and that means they won’t stop until your home is rodent-free… instead of a free-for-all for rodents.