Some people keep rodents as pets, but most of us view them strictly as pests! While rodents may seem like a minor annoyance, their impact on your wallet can be anything but small. From food spoilage to expensive repairs, let's explore how these uninvited guests can affect your home economics:
The Cost of Food Spoilage
Weekly grocery runs are expensive as is, but when you add rodents to the mix, you could wind up spending a lot more on food than you intended.
Your groceries are a large target for rodents. Because these sneaky pests are so food-driven, almost nothing is safe. Rodents will seek out areas in your home where they can access food and contaminate it with their droppings, urine, and even their fur. As a result, it could double your grocery bills since so much of it will need to be discarded and replaced.
Preventive Measures
Here are some fast and easy ways to prevent rodents from contaminating your food and invading your home:
Sealed Containers: Investing in air-tight containers can help limit the smell of food, and can prevent rodents from getting access to the food.
A Clean Space: Keeping a clean kitchen and pantry area can also be a deterrent. Rats and mice are on the hunt for any food they can get their hands on, even if it's just a crumb. Sweeping and wiping down your countertops will play a huge role in prevention.
Eliminate Entry Points: Inspecting your home for any cracks or gaps (inside and outside) is an important part of preventing rodents from getting in. While some rats and mice are bold enough to walk right in through a left-open door or window, closing up any gaps can make a big difference.
Professional Pest Control: Investing in professional pest control can save you large amounts of money in the long run. With the destruction that rodents can cause by contaminating food or gnawing away at integral structures in your home, you can save on costly repairs by scheduling regular rodent control services.
Gnawing Away at Your Home
From 1930-2021, a study found that rodents were responsible for costing $329.9 million in damages in North America, impacting businesses and homeowners alike. Here are some examples of the different kinds of destruction rodent infestations can cause:
Electrical and Structural Damage: Chewing through wires doesn't just mean you have to replace your phone chargers or TV cables; it means your home is at risk of a fire.
While there are costs associated with replacing the wires that rodents chew through, there's also a real danger of mice and rats entering your home and getting into anything to do with electricity. All it takes is one wrong move, and your home could be up in flames.
DIY and Professional Repairs: Rodents can hurt the structural integrity of your home by burrowing and gnawing on your foundation. Untreated wood and insulation are known targets; if rodents get ahold of them, you could be in for massive repair costs.
Checklist: Here are some key signs of rodent damage to watch for in your home:
Gnaw Marks
Droppings/Urine Stains
Strange Noises
Foul Odors
Rub Marks
Odd Pet Behavior
Damaged Food Packaging
Rodents' Nests
Health Risks and Hidden Costs
It's no surprise that rodents can cause a lot of physical damage to your home, but they can also significantly impact your health. Rodents are known to carry different diseases, like Hantavirus, so having them hanging around your food or even in your basement can pose an immediate danger to your well-being.
People who suffer from allergies and asthma are particularly at risk when it comes to rodent infestations, as rodents can exacerbate symptoms.
Rodents can increase your healthcare costs while decreasing the overall health of your home. In order to maintain a healthy environment and avoid costly doctor's visits, luckily, all you have to do is get on a regular rotation for pest control.
Choose Greenix Pest Control
Rodents are one of the most annoying and destructive pests around. After exploring all of the sneaky ways in which rodents dig into homeowners' finances, it's important to take action against them.
Whether you already have an infestation or you are looking to prevent the damages and costs associated with these pests, Greenix Pest Control can help. Controlling rodents isn't just about eliminating a nuisance; it's about protecting an investment—your home.
Contact the experts at Greenix Pest Control today to keep your home safe, happy, and healthy!
