| The term Rodent comes from the latin term “rodentus” meaning to gnaw and includes, rats, mice, rabbits, squirrels etc. Rodent teeth continually grow which give them a need to gnaw to cut back their teeth to avoid abnormal growth. This gnawing action leads to destruction of millions of pounds worth of damage to products and building structures. Rodents teeth are as hard as iron and can easily gnaw through timber, lead pipes, hard plastics and copper tubing. The most common indication of an infestation will be gnawed products and droppings. You can expect to find 60 to 80 droppings per day, greasy marks along walls and pipes may also indicate a heavy infestation. These are caused by smear marks from the rodents fur, they are clean in themselves spending 4 to 6 hours per day grooming.
Prevention is better than cure
Suitable proofing of buildings is vital in the war against pests. Any holes larger than a biro pen need attention. A rat will easily gain access through any hole larger than 5/8th of an inch and a mouse 3/8th of an inch. It is for this reason that pipes and cable ducts around a building are known as motorways. Allowing rodents easy access to all areas. Proofing may consist of concrete, metal plates, expanding foam or brush strips. With all pest control we must remember that pests will take advantage of any situation that we leave them. A hole in a wall, a gap at the bottom of a door, waste food left out, food incorrectly stored, liquids or water available, these situations are all invitations to pests.
Damage
The first question to a pest control contractor is usually how much does it cost. Since most pest control is a reaction to an infestation this can be very costly. It is estimated that 20 % of the worlds food supply is damaged by pests, couple this with structural damage to buildings, the diseases transmitted and the reputation of a infested property, a pest control prevention contract can be very cheap in comparison. Most companies and households will spend more money on window cleaning than pest prevention, a frightening thought when you consider the consequences of an infestation.
Diseases
Salmonella, Leptospiral jaundice (weils disease), Meningitis, etc. are many of the diseases transmitted to man from rodents can also be transmitted to livestock and domestic animals.
Leptospiral Jaundice ( Weils Disease) is found in the kidneys of rats. Weils disease has been associated with certain groups of work such as sewer workers, slaughter house staff and farm hands or others who work in wet areas. In view that up to 50 per cent of a rat population may be carriers, areas where rats regularly frequent may be contaminated. Humans are usually infected by contact with water, moist soil contaminated with rat urine or by handling rats. In recent years leisure activities such as canoeing & pot holing have brought infection to people. The Symptoms include high fever, abdominal pain, headache, marked rash and jaundice may be present.
Salmonellosis (food poisoning) is transmitted from rodent dropping which can contaminate food. Not surprising when you consider that rats and mice are often found where human or animal food is stored, prepared or sold. The most common symptoms are stomach cramps and diarrhoea.
Meningitis is principally carried by mice who have become latent carriers of the disease. Transmission is generally by bites, food contamination, or through cuts and abrasions on our body. The initial symptoms are influenza like, although this may develop into secondary Tuberculosis or Syphilis.
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