One small pest means one big problem.
One cockroach or rodent can quickly turn into a full-blown infestation. Keep reading to find out how an infestation can impact your health and property, and for more interesting information about these pests.
- Cockroaches are capable of spreading at least 33 kinds of bacteria, including E. coli and Salmonella, as well as six parasitic worms and more than seven types of human pathogens.
- There are approximately 4,000 living species of cockroaches in the world, 70 of which are found in the United States.
- The brown-banded cockroach was first found in the U.S. in 1903.
- American cockroaches can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks through their saliva, urine and fecal droppings.
- One female mouse can produce up to 35 young per year.
- A single mouse drops an estimated 25,000 droppings per year.
- Rodents invade approximately 21 million U.S. homes each winter.
- Mice can squeeze their bodies through openings the size of a dime while rats can squeeze through openings the size of a quarter.
- Rodents can spread 35 diseases, including the plague and hantavirus.
- Rodents are known for their gnawing abilities, which can cause damage to walls or wiring which could potentially cause fires.
The most common sign of an infestation is the presence of a cockroach or rodent itself. If you haven’t seen the pest, here is what to look out for:
Signs of a Rodent Infestation:
- Mice or rat droppings around the home, usually where food is stored, as well as under sinks, inside chewed cardboard boxes, along baseboards and on top of wall beams
- Gnaw marks throughout the home
- Nests made out of shredded paper products, cotton, packing materials, wall insulation and fabrics
- Tracks or rub marks along walls and floorboards
- Strange noises that can be attributed to rodents scurrying around the home
Signs of a Cockroach Infestation:
- Dark and sometimes smeared droppings
- Egg capsules ranging in size from 5-10mm
- A “musty” smell caused by phenomes produced by cockroaches
