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The Health Hazards That Come with Rodents

Rodents can carry harmful diseases. Read to learn about what health hazards to be cautious of in rodents, and contact Clegg’s to schedule service!

A rat eating food from a dirty plate near a sink

In North America, the black rat, the brown rat, and the house mouse are the most serious of the disease-carrying rodents that are able to infect humans. Approximately two-fifths of mammals are rodents, and these pests represent real health hazards to humans. Rodents are unique in that they have a pair of constantly growing incisors in both the upper and lower jaws. To maintain their ability to open and close their mouths, rodents must continually gnaw on hard surfaces, food sources and to burrow out shelters in the ground or housing foundations.

How Rodents Spread Disease

According to the Center for Disease Control, there are more than three dozen human diseases attributable to rats, mice, and the ticks, fleas, and mites that live on or have fed on the rodents. Diseases are spread to humans by the handling of rodents without protective gloves and masks. Humans can also contract ailments by direct handling of or breathing in of rodent saliva, urine, and excrement. Other health hazards include: breathing in airborne dust that has been contaminated by rodents; eating or drinking contaminated food or water; and through the skin by the use of contaminated liquids. Infections can also result from direct rodent bites or scratches.

Types of Rodent Health Hazards

Some rodent-transmitted health hazards are more serious in nature and may result in permanent disabilities or even death. Below are a few of the most dangerous rodent and rodent parasite-transmitted ailments.

  • Bubonic Plague
  • Colorado Tick Fever
  • Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
  • Lyme Disease
  • Lymphocytic Chorio-Meningitis
  • Murine Typhus
  • Rat Bite Fever
  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
  • Salmonellosis

How to Prevent Rodent Health Hazards

The first method of defense in preventing rodent health hazards is to secure your property from potential infestations. Some easy strategies include sealing off outside entryways that rodents may find inviting, placing traps in rodent desirable areas, and using masks and gloves when cleaning up rodent droppings, urine, or bodies. Thoroughly wash your hands and clothes after contact with rodents or their remains.

Get Professional Assistance

The best protection against rodent problems for yourself, your family and your property is to call a pest control professional. Don’t wait for a problem to develop when you can be proactive. Contact Clegg’s online or via phone at 888-672-5344.

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Clegg's Locations

Asheville
276-B Haywood Rd.
Asheville, NC 28806
Charlotte
1520 Industrial Center Cir.
Charlotte, NC 28213
Clinton
205 Wall St.
Clinton, NC 28328
Durham
2401 Reichard St.
Durham, NC 27705
Fayetteville
500 S. Eastern Blvd.
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Greenville
864 Rivit St.
Greenville, NC 27834
Kernersville
740 Indeneer Dr.
Kernersville, NC 27284
Morehead City
2700 Bridges St.
Morehead City, NC 28557
New Bern
218 Kale Rd.
New Bern, NC 28562
Raleigh
3751 Bastion Ln.
Raleigh, NC 27604
Smithfield
1520 S. Brightleaf Blvd.
Smithfield, NC 27577
Southport
4075 Old Bridge Rd. SE
Southport, NC 28461
Wilmington
3417 Enterprise Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28405

Protection on all fronts

From the couch to the cubicle.

Do you think you may have an infestation?  Don’t waste any more time.  We need to fortify your defenses against an array of formidable foes.  We offer a wide array of residential as well as commercial grade services throughout North Carolina.

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Initial General Pest Control Service

Residential and new customers only. Must sign up for pest control maintenance plan. Must be 18 or older to redeem. Some restrictions may apply and cannot be combined with any other offers. Limit one per household. Call your local branch for more details.

$100 OFF

New Initial Termite Services

Some restrictions may apply and cannot be combined with any other offers. Limit one per household. Applies to new initial termite services only. Does not include termite reports for closings or termite pretreatment services. No cash value. Must be 18 or older to redeem

15% OFF

Initial Bed Bug Control Services

Residential and New Customers Only. Call your local branch for details! Excludes Bedding Encasements. Some restrictions may apply and cannot be combined with any other offers. Limit one per household.

15% OFF

Clegg's Military Discount

Are you a current or former member of our nation’s military? We would like to show our thanks and appreciation for your service in the form of a special discount on Clegg’s Pest Control services. Some restrictions may apply. Limit one per household.

$100 OFF

Initial Moisture Control Services

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All Locations

Click on a location below to learn more about services, solutions, and pests in your area.

276-B Haywood Rd.
Asheville, NC 28806
1520 Industrial Center Cir.
Charlotte, NC 28213
205 Wall St.
Clinton, NC 28328
2401 Reichard St.
Durham, NC 27705
500 S. Eastern Blvd.
Fayetteville, NC 28301
864 Rivit St.
Greenville, NC 27834
740 Indeneer Dr.
Kernersville, NC 27284
2700 Bridges St.
Morehead City, NC 28557
218 Kale Rd.
New Bern, NC 28562
3751 Bastion Ln.
Raleigh, NC 27604
1520 S. Brightleaf Blvd.
Smithfield, NC 27577
4075 Old Bridge Rd. SE
Southport, NC 28461
3417 Enterprise Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28405

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