Mice and rat infestations are an everlasting pest control problem that requires great vigilance to regulate. Their long history as scavengers of garbage bins and kitchen pantries has made them well known to homeowners. Because of their proximity to humans, their activity is often influenced by our daily routines. For instance, isolation prompted by COVID-19 vastly hindered public pursuits. With less to scavenge off the streets, mice and rats are increasingly venturing into our homes like never before as they search for food scraps and shelter.

When it comes to food acquisition, rats are particularly savage and not the least bit picky. They can thrive on a mere ounce of food and water a day and settle down anywhere that has access to nutrients. The abundant Norway Rat consumes almost any organic substance and sometimes kills small mammals, such as rabbits, birds, and poultry. When colonies lose access to a food source, they may even murder each other as they fight for leftover food. Mice can treat your pantry like a local food bank, chewing through cardboard and plastic with ease to get a quick meal. They also contaminate ten times more food than they eat with their urine, droppings, and hair. Combined, they devour or destroy almost 20% of the world's food supply annually.

They are a neighborhood concern, moving freely between homes and feeding off a whole community. Once a population becomes established, it persists until forcibly pushed out. The entire neighborhood benefits from control measures implemented by pest control professionals like Bluffton Pest Management.

Harbingers Of Disease

Rodents and disease go hand in hand, making pest control a necessary component of public health and safety. Human populations have been ravaged by rat-borne diseases throughout history, from the legendary bubonic plague to the modern Hantavirus, which can be deadly and kills about a third of those infected. 

As scavengers of the dirtiest environments, they pick up and carry numerous pathogens. They have long been perpetrators of salmonella in commercial and residential kitchens. Recent research has found that new COVID-19 variants can infect mice. Though transmission of COVID-19 from rodents to humans is highly unlikely, they may still assist in the virus's ability to persist, transform, and spread. With over 70 percent of emerging diseases originating in animal populations, it is fair to say that pest control for mice and rats simultaneously reinforces disease control.

Rodent Control In Bluffton, SC And Surrounding Areas

Typically, they prefer warm and wet climates like South Carolina's. In colder regions, rats have been found cozying up to car engines to stay warm, causing thousands of dollars in damages from stripped wiring. Unfortunately, coastal South Carolina is a rodent paradise, with high average temperatures, mild winters, and year-round precipitation. While Charleston is considered the rat capital, the Coastal Plain is no stranger to its share of the Norway. Eastern Woodrats are also a persistent problem and breed year-round.

At Bluffton Pest Management, we specialize in all parts of the pest control process. Mice and rats are particularly crafty and capable of squeezing through unimaginably tiny spaces. Our expert technicians can identify inconspicuous problem areas with an in-person inspection and develop a customized treatment plan to fit your needs. Contact us today to make your rodent problems scurry away.