Mice and rats can be a real nuisance in the home. Not only are they creepy, but they can also cause extensive damage with their gnawing.
They contaminate food, spread diseases, and cause extensive damage by gnawing through pipes and air ducts.
But what many people don’t realize is that these pests can also pose a serious threat to both our health and property.
Businesses should take measures to prevent rodents from entering their buildings, and homeowners should take steps to seal off any entry points that rodents may use to get into their homes.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the negative effects of rodents and what we can do to prevent them from causing any harm.
What kind of rodents enter and damage the pipes?
There are a few different types of rodents that can enter and damage the pipes in your home or business.
Some of the most common offenders are mice and rats, but other types of rodents, such as squirrels and raccoons, can also cause problems.
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Rats
They are the biggest threat, as they can gnaw through wires and pipes, causing extensive damage. Also rats are the biggest and most destructive of the three, as they can chew through wires and insulation, and even damage structural beams
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Mice
They are also a threat, as they can contaminate food with their droppings and spread diseases.
Mice are a bit smaller, but can still do a lot of damage, especially if they’re in large numbers.
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Squirrels
They may not be as big of a threat as rats and mice, but they can still cause damage by gnawing through pipes.
Squirrels are the least destructive of the three, but they can still cause problems by getting into areas where they don’t belong and making a mess.
How do rats and mice get into air ducts and pipes?
Mice and rats can get into air ducts and pipes in a number of ways:
- They may climb up through the ducts from the outdoors, or enter through cracks or holes in the piping.
- Rats and mice can also swim through small openings to reach areas they wouldn’t be able to otherwise.
- They can also enter through the grilles on the vents or through any openings around the edges of the ducts.
- They can also get in through the gaps around your doors and windows.
Once they’re in your home, they can quickly move through the ventilation system and into your pipe, also can cause a lot of damage by chewing on wires and other materials.
What are the negative effects of rodents in pipes and air ducts
Mice have a bad habit of chewing. They can get into your furnace cabinet and gnaw through the insulation on the wires that link the various components.
Component failures are probable when these wires are exposed. This is also true of components outside of your house.
Also this can lead to electrical fires, water damage, and even mold growth.
Rodents might take up residence in your air conditioning. Exposed wires on an air conditioner are major causes of electrical problems, and unexpected guests are frequently the perpetrators.
Insulation in the attic and ducts becomes a popular choice for nesting.
So a rodent can start to disrupt the airflow of your air ducts as well as the odor in your home.
Rodents may harm almost any material, but some are more vulnerable than others.
Ductwork constructed of materials other than metal, such as fiberglass duct board or even covered cardboard, can be seen in some residences. These materials could readily become nesting material and cause air duct leaks.
They can also contaminate food with their droppings and spread diseases like salmonella, leptospirosis, and hantavirus.
That’s why it is important to get rid of these rodents by contacting professional exterminators.
How to get rid of rats and mice in pipes or air ducts?
If you have rodents in your pipes or air ducts, there are a few things that you can do to get them out. The first thing is to identify where the rodents are entering the system.
Once you have identified the entry points, you can seal them off to prevent the rodents from getting in.
You can also use traps or baits to catch and remove the rodents from the system.
The best option to get rid of these animals in the pipes and air ducts of your home is to hire an extermination company.
Rodent Exterminator will not only control and exterminate rats and mice, but they will also clean and decontaminate the spaces where they have been. Call at 213-431-0890
How to keep your air ducts and pipes free of rats and mice
There are a few things that you can do to help keep rodents out of your air ducts and pipes:
- The most important thing is to seal off any entrance points that they may use to get into your home or business.
- Install metal screens over the vents, and by sealing any cracks or holes in the ductwork with caulk or foam.
- Use a metal mesh to cover the opening around the edges of the ducts.
- Make sure that you keep the area around your home or business clean and free of debris, which can provide rodents with a place to hide.
