This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Rodents Like Your House As Much As You Do

Rodents can carry deadly diseases. If you suspect rodent infestation in your house, or you are buying a house, you should have a licensed pest inspection company check it out.

Rats and mice are a fact of life in San Diego County. They are found everywhere: from downtown and rural areas, to poor and rich neighborhoods alike. But you should not put up with rats or mice living in your house. Rodents can carry disease and you do not have to come in contact with them to be affected. 

Hantavirus can be contracted by breathing in dust contaminated by rodent feces and it can be deadly. Other diseases can be spread from bites, or fleas that bite the rodents and then bite you. Rodents can also chew through the insulation on wires causing a fire hazard if there is a spark. They nest in heating ducts, in your walls, and even in your cupboards.

When you are buying a house, you need to be aware that a traditional "pest inspection" does not report on rodent infestation. The "pest" inspection performed during a transaction is called a WDO or "wood destroying organism" inspection. They inspect for termites, carpenter ants, dry rot, fungus - anything that will destroy wood. Rats and mice are not included as a "wood destroying organism."

Find out what's happening in Ramonawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Reporting on rodent infestation is outside the scope of a home inspection. Most home inspectors are not licensed pest inspectors. Pest inspectors are required to be licensed by the State of California. In the interest of your health and safety, a home inspector will recommend additional investigation if he sees evidence of an infestation. This includes piles of poop, strong urine odor or numerous traps in an attic. But you should include a rodent inspection by a pest control company.

San Diego County Vector Control is responsible for controlling any source of disease that can be transmitted by animals or insects. This includes rats, mice, mosquitos, etc. They have put together this video which illustrates how rats affect a house, and what you can do about it. To keep rats out of your home, follow these steps. You may even be able to get a free inspection.

Find out what's happening in Ramonawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If you have a heavy infestation you may have to have your attic sanitized. This can be costly. All of the insulation has to be removed if it is saturated with urine and feces, all of the waste must be carefully removed, and insulation must then be replaced. If you are concerned about a rodent infestation, you may need an additional inspection from an exterminator.

About the author: Philippe Heller is the president of The San Diego Real Estate Inspection Co, one of the largest private home inspection companies in San Diego. 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?