Rodents have long been one of New England’s most serious pest problems. Although rat and mice infestations surge in the fall, they can be a nuisance year-round and pose many threats to home and business owners alike. During the winter, mice and rats seek refuge inside a wide variety of structures, including commercial businesses like restaurants, hotels, and educational institutions. At Bain Pest Control Service, we aim to protect our customers by providing them with educational resources to better protect themselves against pests. Read on to learn five surprising facts about rodents.
1. Rodents’ incisors are stronger than iron.
Rats’ incisor teeth, which they use to gnaw on objects, never stop growing. To wear them down, they must continuously chew and gnaw on things. These incisors are also extremely strong, rated a 5.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Iron is rated a 5.0. This is why these long-toothed creatures are able to chew their way into even the most advanced buildings. They can also chew through IT equipment, fleet truck wires, food packaging, and building insulation.
2. Rodents don’t require much water to survive.
A mouse’s dietary intake of water is about a tablespoon per day, which they can get through their food source alone. They will, however, use a water source if there is one available.
Mice will eat just about anything left out in the open, not just cheese, which is an age-old misconception. This is why mice can cause serious issues for restaurants, supermarkets, and other food service facilities that provide a plethora of meal options available to them.
3. Rodents breed at a rapid pace.
The female house mouse can have up to 10 litters a year, each containing between 3 to 14 offspring. Because of this rapid breeding process, a single mouse problem can quickly turn into an infestation. If you are able to recognize the signs of mice early on, you will avoid costly structural repairs and prevent the spread of diseases.
4. Some rodents spread dangerous diseases.
Cotton rats, rice rats, deer mice, and white-footed mice are the four species of rodents that carry hantavirus in North America. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is a sometimes fatal respiratory disease in humans caused by this virus. Rodents not only carry bacteria and diseases, but can also trigger asthma and allergy symptoms and carry fleas and mites. These diseases and health issues don’t just affect the well-being of your employees, but your customers as well.
5. Rodents are apt climbers.
Known as the roof rat, the black rat (Rattus rattus) is a superior climber and thrives in the upper parts of buildings. It can, however, adapt to almost any habitat. Due to increased empty spaces during the pandemic – whether temporary or more long-term – rats were able to nest and reproduce relatively undisturbed, resulting in rat issues for businesses.
Commercial Rodent Control
Needless to say, rodents are a dangerous pest problem to deal with. The good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent a mouse or rat infestation in your business. If you are currently experiencing a rodent problem or need help identifying a rodent on your property, contact Bain Pest Control Service’s team of experts today.