Everyone knows rats can be pesky creatures, but not everyone is aware of the health hazards they can bring. A rat infestation on your property or in your home can lead to a number of diseases, some of which are serious and even life-threatening. It’s important to know more about these health risks so you can take steps to protect yourself and your family. With San Francisco taking the #5 spot on Orkin’s most rattiest cities list in 2022, et’s take a closer look at what you need to know.
Diseases Carried by Rats
Rats carry a variety of diseases that humans can contract through direct contact with their fur or feces, as well as through airborne particles from an infestation area. Some of the most common diseases associated with rats include salmonellosis, leptospirosis, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, and rat bite fever. Salmonellosis is an infection that causes gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps; leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that affects the liver and kidneys; hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare respiratory illness; and rat bite fever is an infection caused by rat bites or scratches that can spread via contact with saliva from an infected animal.
How to Protect Yourself
If you find evidence that there are rats on your property or in your home, it’s important to take precautionary measures immediately. These include sealing any cracks or holes in the walls or foundation that could be used as entry points for rats; eliminating any food sources they may have access to such as pet food or open garbage cans; keeping all areas clean and free of clutter; and setting up traps around any potential nesting sites. It is also important to avoid direct contact with rodents as much as possible since many diseases can be contracted through physical contact with them. View the list of the top 25 rattiest cities in 2022 on our sister site, The Leader News, here.
