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When you live in South Florida and you think of all of the potential pests that can take up residence in your home any number of species can come to mind. However, the thought of rodents and other varmints in your attic or other parts of your home seems to add another level of concern. You immediately begin to think about the threat they pose to you and your family and the potential damage they can cause.

All of these are legitimate concerns. Therefore, we have outlined some of the major health risks; along with some preventative steps you can take to prevent an infestation in the first place. When it comes to the potential health risks that these pests can present to you and your family the dangers differ from vermin to vermin.

Health Risks

Rats, Mice & Squirrels:
Rats alone are known to spread as many as 35 different diseases to humans worldwide. These diseases can be spread through direct contact with rodents or their feces, urine, saliva, or through rodent bites 1. There are also the indirect health risks of being bitten by ticks, mites, or fleas that have been feeding on sick rodents can also spread diseases.

The main health risks that rodents pose to humans and pets are Rat Bite Fever (RBF), Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV), Leptospirosis, Salmonellosis, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome and Rabies.

Racoons:
Some health risks that raccoons possess include roundworm, trichinosis, tuberculosis, rabies and many varieties of fleas. These can place humans and other pets at risk through physical contact as well as airborne pathogens from raccoon fecal matter and urine.

High Risk Disease: Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) which are parasites that live inside the raccoon’s intestine and produce microscopic eggs that are shed in the raccoon’s feces. These eggs are extremely harmful to humans and household pets if inadvertently swallowed or inhaled. If this occurs, the larvae hatch out of the eggs and move into the organs of the body and can cause serious eye disease, damage to the nervous system or even death.

Opossums:
Opossums have a much stronger immune system than other common varmints. In addition to this, they also have a lower than average body temperature which helps them fight off diseases which other household pests cannot.

However, opossums do often carry fleas and other parasites, and the potential diseases that they carry. They also pose a threat through the usual excrement health risks, such as Leptospirosis or Salmonella.

Property Damage

When it comes to the potential dangers associate with property damage caused by these pests, the overall damages can range from minimal to significant issues. The earlier an infestation is identified and rectified the better. In most cases infestations can be addresses by removing the pest(s), identifying the entry point(s) and closing them and ensure no other potential entry points exists.

However, if the infestation has occurred over a prolonged period of time you can be looking at significant wiring damage, insulation damage, fecal and urine damage and more. These are the infestations that pose potential significant damage to your overall health and property. The most severe illnesses are generally associated with diseases spawn by fecal matter left behind by these pests.

If you are a homeowner or business owner that is currently dealing with an infestation, we highly recommend utilizing our professional trapping protocol. Our trapping protocol not only eradicates the pest; we complete the process with a sanitation virucide application to give you the best indoor air quality along with solutions for preventing future infestations from reoccurring.

The professionals at Florida Pest Control Center perform a thorough inspection of your property to address any potential voids and repairs needed to avoid future infestation. We will go over your entire house to find all possible animal access points, inspect the damage caused, and with your permission, return everything to the way it should be.

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) is the reputable South Florida company that provides licensed, insured, and guaranteed safe and humane nuisance wildlife removal and complete pest control.

For more information or for a free estimate, please visit us at Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)  or contact the Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) today.   Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) services are licensed, insured, and guaranteed. 

Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) employs comprehensive, state-of-the art technologies, chemical, and non-chemical treatments to eliminate pest problems in residential homes, businesses, hospitals, medical facilities, group homes, and apartment and condominium buildings.  Our highly trained professionals provide a fast, complete solution to your ants, ticks, mosquitoes, termites, bed bugs, birds, rodents, and other pest infestations.