Rodents

We do not carry a Wildlife Management License, thus the only rodents we are able to take care of is mice and rats only, no armadillos, groundhogs, raccoons, skunks or squirrels. 

In the home rat infestation is usually not a problem but can be. In mills and processing plant and on farms they can become a big problem if left unchecked.

Mice on the other hand can be a big problem in the home. Not only do they get into your food, they can also get into any area of the house such as dressers, closets, crawlspaces, the attic and furniture. They chew up cloth (clothes in dressers or in closets) or paper products (books, magazines or paper towels) to make their nest. They also chew up wood (to open up existing holes), sheetrock and plastic on wiring (mainly on cars & trucks). They also leave their fecal material behind wherever they feel the urge. If unattended the population of the nest or colony can become quite large (several hundred) and thus you have odor and possible disease.

Rodents also carry organisms that can cause disease in humans and pets.  One of the viruses that which carried by rodents, most generally the deer mice, is the Hantavirus, which is the cause of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in people.  Most cases of this disease have been reported in the Southwest states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada.  This disease is contracted mainly through inhalation of airborne particles from an infected rodent’s droppings, urine or saliva as well as direct contact with the infected rodent.  Although this disease is rare, there is no treatment for the Hantavirus.  Thus it is important to take precautions when cleaning a rodent infested area and to seek control of this pest in and around the home as a primary means of prevention against infection. There have been no cases of Hantavirus in Missouri at this time (2006).

Disease Associated With Urban Rodents