Rodents are a danger to your family and home because they gnaw on wires and building materials, contaminate food and surfaces, spread diseases through their droppings, urine and saliva, and can bring fleas, ticks and mites inside. Saela Pest Control is a residential and commercial pest control company, based in Orem, Utah, whose rodent work centers on sealing entry points and trapping. Below is what each risk looks like and the practical steps that reduce it.
Property Damage: Gnawed Wires, Walls and Food
Mice and rats gnaw constantly, and University of California pest management guidance warns that house mice can damage structures and vehicles by gnawing on electrical wires and gas lines, and that they chew appliance cords and wires in walls. Because house mice can squeeze under gaps ¼ inch tall, UC recommends sealing every gap larger than ¼ inch with metal or concrete rather than plastic, wood or foam, which they can gnaw through. Saela’s rodent exclusion service includes inspecting for access points, repairing openings and placing traps for rodents remaining inside. In a February 2024 Google review, kay mccallop reported that Saela identified rodent-prevention issues and repaired them that day.
Disease: What Rodents Leave Behind
Rodents spread disease through contact with their droppings, urine or saliva, through bites, and through air or food contaminated with their waste, according to the CDC’s rodent control guidance. The CDC lists diseases such as hantavirus, leptospirosis, salmonellosis and rat-bite fever. When cleaning up, don’t sweep or vacuum droppings, urine or nests, because that can put tiny droplets containing viruses into the air. The CDC’s rodent clean-up steps call for ventilating the space for 30 minutes, wearing rubber or plastic gloves, and soaking the area with a bleach solution or EPA-registered disinfectant before wiping it up with paper towels.
Allergies and Asthma Triggers
Rodent droppings can also affect people with allergies or asthma. The EPA’s asthma triggers guide notes that droppings or body parts of cockroaches and other pests can trigger asthma, and it recommends storing food in airtight containers, cleaning up crumbs and spills right away and sealing cracks around cabinets.
Fleas, Ticks and Mites That Travel With Rodents
Rodents can bring other pests with them, and the CDC notes that some rodent-related diseases spread indirectly through ticks, fleas and mites. If you find rodents and your pets start scratching, ask your veterinarian about flea and tick checks, and remember that removing the rodents and sealing entry points deals with the source. Saela’s flea treatment uses an insect growth regulator to interfere with flea reproduction, along with follow-up treatments and identification of indoor or outdoor infestation sources.
Droppings are often the first sign of rodents, and UC guidance lists fresh gnaw marks, tracks, nests of finely shredded paper or other fibrous material, and a musky odor as other clues. Check kitchens, cabinets, pantries, attics and garages, and use Saela’s guide to the difference between mice and rats to work out which one you have. Every Saela plan includes a 50+ point property inspection covering entry points, nesting sites and attics.
Mice often move indoors in autumn as nights get colder, according to UC, so fall is a good time to seal gaps and check for activity. If you’re already seeing signs, book a call with Saela to schedule an inspection, and compare plan options for ongoing rodent protection.
Who wrote this article?
Devin Hutchings (Marketing Director at Saela Pest Control) wrote this article.
Devin leads Saela’s marketing and growth strategy. He brings more than 15 years of marketing experience across Uber, C.R. England, Lugg, and Neighbor. His background spans customer acquisition, retention, and developing marketing channels for service businesses and consumer marketplaces.
