A common question people will ask upon discovery of a rat infestation in or around their property is how worried they should be. The answer to this question is, of course, dependent on a variety of factors such as how long the infestation has been there, how large the infestation is and whether the rats have access to sensitive areas (such as food preparation or storage areas).
In this post we will look at some of the risks associated with the presence of rats that can have a detrimental impact on health as well as risks such as damage to property – emphasising the importance of controlling these pests at the earliest opportunity.
The content of this post is intended for informative purposes only. If you have any questions regarding any part of it, please ensure you seek advice from an appropriate professional.
Diseases
Rats carry a variety of diseases that can be detrimental to humans and other animals, such as pets, should they be transmitted. Some of the most common include:
Leptospirosis/Weil’s disease
Often transmitted via the urine, tissues or secretions of infected animals or water infected with contaminated urine. Symptoms include high fever, headache, muscle pain, diarrhoea and jaundice.
Salmonellosis
Often spread through contact with faeces of infected rodents. Symptoms include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever and vomiting.
Rat-Bite Fever
Infection can occur from either a rat-bite or scratch or from contact with their urine. Symptoms include fever, joint pain, headaches and rash.
Hantavirus
Can be transmitted via inhalation of contaminated particles, contact with faeces/urine or bites from infected rats. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, kidney problems and potentially severe respiratory problems.
If you have recently come into contact with rats and are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should seek medical advice immediately. If left untreated, some diseases can have serious long-term implications on health.
How are the Diseases Spread?
Below we will outline some of the ways pathogens and diseases are spread to humans or other animals. Unfortunately, avoiding direct contact with rats themselves is not enough to guarantee safety.
Biting
Rat bites are incredibly dangerous and carry high risks due to the seriousness of the diseases they carry, and the likelihood of the rat in question carrying a disease.
Scratching
Similar to the above. A scratch from a rat poses a high risk of direct transmission of any disease they are carrying.
Excrement
Any contact with faeces, urine saliva, blood or any other form of excrement carries a high risk.
Inhalation
Transmission via inhalation can occur when you breathe in particles that are infected with diseases carried by rats. It can be from where they have urinated/defecated or an area they have simply visited.
Handling
Simply touching the rodents, even if they do not bite or scratch you, can transmit diseases onto the area of contact. This applies equally if the rodent is already dead when handled.
Consuming
Eating or drinking things, such as water or food stuffs, that have been infected carries a high risk of transmission.
Second-hand contact
Diseases can be spread from one infected person to another, or from a pet/animal to a human should they become infected. An example of this is where someone touches an area infected by rats, doesn’t wash their hands properly and precedes to touch other people or areas other people will visit.
Due to the risks noted above, any potential contact with rats, whether direct or indirect, should be undertaken with caution and following proper health and safety guidelines. If you are unsure in any way, always contact a professional pest controller.
Property Damage
Another danger emanating from the presence of rats is the damage they can inflict on property.
Rats will chew or ‘gnaw’ on almost anything they can get access to (not just food or other edible goods). This can cause structural damage which is exemplified if the pests have decided to chew on elements such as pipes or electrical wiring which can cause flooding and electrical fires respectively.
It is also prudent to note that rats aren’t fussy about the location where they ‘gnaw’, meaning that they could be damaging anything in homes, cars, garages or businesses.
Personal/Business Impacts
In addition to the above, rats can have a detrimental impact on the wellbeing or reputation of individuals. If they are evidently visible in sensitive areas such as homes or gardens, they can cause anxiety and worry to the homeowner.
They may also have a negative impact on the reputation of the individual, especially if rats have been evidenced in or around their business. This is particularly so when the business in question is one that serves the public food or drink, such as restaurants, takeaways and cafes.
Conclusion
The presence of rats can have wide ranging implications, such as direct risks to mental and physical health, property damage and reputational damage.
So, how worried should you be? The answer is that although you should be concerned if there is evidence of rat infestations, don’t panic. With proper hygiene and safety measures, along with a plan to control the rodents, you can rest assured that the problem can be tackled! What is crucial is that you look to resolve the problem at the earliest opportunity.
It is also important to note that you are not alone in facing the problem. Rats are common throughout the UK which means it can be hard to avoid the dangers they pose, but there are plenty of options for tackling theses nuisances.
Here at The Pest Collective, we provide a range of DIY solutions for controlling infestations including poisons and traps. However, if you are unsure on how to implement these effectively and safely, it is always best to contact a professional pest control services firm.
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