Fort Myers Residents Should Not Tolerate Rodents: Here's Why!

Rodents in Fort Myers, Florida: Why You Should Act Fast to Get Rid of Them

Rodents are a persistent problem for homeowners and business owners alike, especially in warm, humid climates like Fort Myers, Florida. Whether it's the middle of summer or winter, rodents like rats, mice, and squirrels find ways to make themselves at home in our homes, offices, and buildings. While these creatures might seem harmless at first glance, their presence can lead to a range of problems—from health risks to structural damage.

In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll dive deep into the issues surrounding rodents in Fort Myers, Florida, and why it’s crucial to get rid of them as soon as possible. We’ll also explore the various types of rodents you might encounter, the health risks they pose, and the potential damage they can cause to your property.

Types of Rodents in Fort Myers

Florida’s warm climate makes it an ideal environment for rodents, which thrive in the humid weather and abundant food sources. In Fort Myers, there are several common rodent species that homeowners and businesses must be vigilant about.

1. Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

One of the most common rodent species in Fort Myers is the Norway rat. These rats are typically larger than other types of rodents and are known for their aggressive behavior. Norway rats are great climbers, swimmers, and burrowers, and they often take up residence in basements, crawlspaces, and attics. They can also be found in sewers and other hidden locations around your property.

Characteristics:

• Size: Can grow up to 16 inches in length (including the tail).

• Color: Brown or gray with a white or light-colored belly.

• Behavior: Active at night, typically living in burrows or tunnels beneath buildings.

  
  

2. Roof Rats (Rattus rattus)

Roof rats are another common rodent species found in Fort Myers. They are more agile than Norway rats and are often found in high places such as attics, rooftops, and trees. These rats are smaller in size compared to Norway rats, but they can still cause significant damage if left unchecked.

Characteristics:

• Size: Typically 12 to 14 inches long, including the tail.

• Color: Black or dark brown with a lighter underside.

• Behavior: Active during the night and are adept climbers.

  
  

3. House Mice (Mus musculus)

The house mouse is the smallest of the rodents that infest Fort Myers homes and businesses. These mice can squeeze through incredibly tiny gaps in doors, windows, and walls, making them difficult to detect. They tend to be very sneaky and can reproduce rapidly, meaning a small problem can quickly turn into a large infestation if not dealt with.

Characteristics:

• Size: About 2.5 to 4 inches long, with a tail of the same length.

• Color: Gray or light brown with a lighter belly.

• Behavior: Active during the night, often hiding in walls, attics, and behind appliances.

  
  

4. Squirrels (Sciuridae)

While squirrels are typically associated with trees, they can also become an issue for homeowners in Fort Myers. Tree squirrels and ground squirrels can invade attics, insulation, and walls in search of shelter and food. Squirrels are known to cause extensive damage to homes by chewing through wires, insulation, and even roofing material.

Characteristics:

• Size: Typically 16 to 20 inches long, including their tail.

• Color: Gray, black, or brown.

• Behavior: Active during the day, usually found in trees or attics.

  
  

Why Should You Get Rid of Rodents in Fort Myers?

Now that we’ve covered the types of rodents you might encounter in Fort Myers, let’s dive into the critical reasons why it’s so important to remove these pests from your property as soon as possible.

1. Health Risks: Rodents as Disease Carriers

Rodents are infamous for being carriers of a wide range of diseases. They can transmit illnesses directly through their urine, feces, saliva, or bites. Even worse, many of these diseases can be transferred to humans and pets.

Here are just a few diseases that rodents are known to carry:

• Leptospirosis: This bacterial disease is commonly spread through rodent urine. If a person comes into contact with water or soil contaminated with rodent urine, they can become infected. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, and in severe cases, liver damage and kidney failure.

• Hantavirus: A viral disease that can cause severe respiratory illness. People can contract Hantavirus by inhaling dust particles contaminated with rodent urine or feces. Early symptoms resemble the flu but can quickly escalate into a life-threatening condition.

• Salmonella: Rodents can carry salmonella bacteria, which can be transmitted to humans through their droppings. This bacterium can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.

• Rat-Bite Fever: This disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected rodent or through direct contact with their saliva. It can cause fever, vomiting, rash, and joint pain.

• Plague: Though rare in the modern world, rodents (specifically fleas on rats) are still responsible for carrying the bacteria that causes the plague, which can be fatal if left untreated.

Given these health risks, it’s essential to keep rodents away from your home and business in Fort Myers to prevent the spread of disease.

2. Property Damage: Rodents Love to Chew

Rodents, especially rats and mice, are notorious for chewing through materials in your home. They have constantly growing teeth, so they need to chew on things to wear them down. This behavior can lead to significant property damage, including:

• Electrical wiring: Rodents are known to chew through electrical wires, which can cause short circuits or even house fires.

• Wood and drywall: Mice and rats often chew through wood beams and drywall, compromising the structural integrity of your home.

• Insulation: Squirrels, rats, and mice often damage insulation in attics, making homes less energy-efficient and leading to higher utility bills.

• Furniture and belongings: Rodents will chew through furniture, books, personal items, and anything else that’s within reach.

This damage can be costly to repair and potentially dangerous to your health and safety.

3. Reproductive Power: Rodents Multiply Quickly

Rodents are incredibly prolific breeders. A single pair of mice, for example, can produce up to 10 litters per year, with each litter containing 5 to 12 baby mice. This means that in just a few months, the number of rodents in your home or business can skyrocket. Similarly, rats can reproduce rapidly, making infestations extremely hard to control without professional help.

This rapid reproduction can quickly turn a small problem into a large-scale infestation, making it all the more important to act quickly when you notice signs of rodents in your home.

4. Allergies and Asthma

Rodents not only pose a risk through their droppings and urine, but they can also affect people with allergies or asthma. When rodents infest an area, their droppings, urine, and shed fur can trigger allergic reactions or asthma attacks. This is especially concerning for households with children or elderly family members who may be more vulnerable to these conditions.

How to Protect Your Home from Rodents in Fort Myers

While the best way to deal with a rodent problem is to call a professional pest control service like Hills Pest Control, there are several steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of rodents invading your home:

1. Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for holes or cracks in walls, doors, windows, and around plumbing. Rodents can squeeze through very small gaps, so be sure to seal up any potential entry points.

2. Eliminate Food Sources: Keep food stored in airtight containers, clean up crumbs and spills promptly, and avoid leaving pet food out overnight. Rodents are attracted to food sources, and eliminating them can make your home less inviting.

3. Keep Your Yard Tidy: Trim back bushes, trees, and vines near your home, as rodents often use these as pathways to enter your home. Also, eliminate standing water in birdbaths and gutters to prevent attracting pests.

4. Set Traps: If you suspect that you have a rodent problem, set traps in high-traffic areas, like along walls and behind appliances. While traps can help control the population, they are not a long-term solution.

5. Call a Professional: If you notice signs of rodents, it’s best to call a professional pest control service immediately. Experts like Hills Pest Control can assess the situation, eliminate the infestation, and offer advice on how to prevent future problems.

   
   

Conclusion

Rodents are more than just an annoyance—they pose significant risks to your health, safety, and property in Fort Myers, Florida. Whether it’s the diseases they carry, the damage they cause to your home, or their rapid reproduction rates, getting rid of rodents quickly is essential to maintaining a safe and healthy living environment.

By understanding the risks associated with rodent infestations and taking proactive measures to prevent them, you can protect your home and family from the potential dangers these pests bring. If you suspect you have a rodent problem, don’t wait—contact Hills Pest Control today for a comprehensive inspection and professional rodent control services. Don’t let rodents take over your home—act now!