- Rat infestations in the U.S. affect millions of households and can transmit dangerous diseases like salmonella, hantavirus, and plague.
- Rats also pose a safety risk to families, as they can chew on wires to cause electrical fires with disastrous consequences.
- Children may feel scared or anxious if they know that rodents live in their homes, and it’s vital to address infestations quickly to restore a sense of safety.
- Fortunately, you can protect your family: check for signs of rat activity, clean drains and gutters, secure all food sources, maintain good hygiene habits, and call a professional if necessary.
- By taking these steps and being proactive about rat prevention, you can ensure your family is safe from their hazardous presence.
Rats are some of the most common pests in people’s homes, but they can seriously impact your family’s health and wellbeing. Here’s how rats can affect your children’s lives and what you can do to protect them.
The Rat Problem in the U.S.
The U.S. is home to millions of rats. It’s estimated that 14 million households have seen rats inside their home. This can vary between states as some are more prone to rat infestations than others.
The Dangers of Rat Infestations
Rats spread numerous diseases and parasites through urine, saliva, and feces. These diseases are often transmitted to humans through contaminated food or water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rodents like rats may carry bacteria that cause human illnesses, such as salmonella, hantavirus, leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, and plague.
Additionally, rat infestations can lead to asthma attacks in children due to the allergens generated by rats.
Moreover, rats will chew on almost anything they come across to sharpen their teeth; this includes wires which can be a fire hazard. Rats also carry fleas that feed on human blood and transmit other pests into our homes, like ticks which can cause Lyme disease if left untreated. Finally, rat infestations also have an economical cost since rodent damage to electrical wiring costs businesses billions of dollars annually.
Safety Risks for Your Family
Rats don’t just carry disease; they also have risks. As stated earlier, rats like to chew on wires and other objects in the home, which can lead to electrical fires if not addressed promptly. They may also chew through your home’s walls and floorboards, causing structural damage, which could be dangerous for anyone inside the house. Finally, because rats reproduce so quickly, there is always the risk of an infestation getting out of hand if left unchecked for too long.
The Impact on Your Child’s Wellbeing
On top of the health risks and safety hazards posed by rats in the home, there is also the emotional toll of having an unwelcome house guest. Young children may feel scared or anxious if they know that rodents live in their homes-and rightly so! Therefore, it’s essential to address any rat infestations quickly to ensure everyone in the family feels safe and secure within their own four walls again.
How To Protect Your Family From Rats
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to minimize the risks posed by rat infestations in your home. Here are ways to do that.
Check Your Ceiling
Rats climb, so inspect your walls and ceilings for signs of rat activity. Pay attention to any holes or cracks in the walls, as these can be entry points for rats. If you have gaps in your ceilings, it might be time to replace them. You can install a PVC ceiling in your home if you don’t want further damage. It’s best to call a professional when doing this.
Clean Out Your Drains & Gutters
Ensure your gutters and drains are debris-free, as rats like to nest in these areas. Have them professionally inspected yearly and ensure they’re regularly cleared out to reduce the chance of an infestation.
Secure All Food Sources
It’s crucial to store all food in secure containers with tight-fitting lids. This will help to limit the number of accessible food sources for rats, as they need an adequate supply of food and water to thrive.
Maintain Good Hygiene
Regularly clean your house and ensure pet bowls are cleaned daily. Doing this can help to keep rats away and reduce the likelihood of an infestation.
Call a Professional
When in doubt, for rat removal it’s always best to call a professional pest control company to eliminate unwanted visitors. They have the knowledge and expertise needed to eliminate rats from your home quickly and safely, so you can start living free from the threat of rats.
Having rats in your home can seriously affect your family’s health and well-being. Taking steps to prevent an infestation is essential to keeping your children safe. Regularly check for signs of rat activity, clean drains, and gutters, secure all food sources, and maintain good hygiene habits.
Discover more from St. Louis Dad
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
