They cause damage to our buildings by their need to constantly gnaw to keep their incisor teeth from growing too long which would cause the rodent great discomfort. Rodents will gnaw through many types of material in order to reach a location including lead piping, brick, aluminium and even concrete. Hygiene is the first line of defence. You usually don't have an abundance of rodents without enough food and shelter provided. All bins should have a tight fitting cover.
Rodents can live on the spilled and surplus food from bird feeders and dog and cat food.
It is difficult to completely eliminate all food and shelter sources for mice because of their small size and small food requirements. They are instinctively wary of traps and bait. As if that weren't bad enough, they colonise in attics, burrows, under concrete, in walls and other hard to reach places. Other Rat Nasties Rats carry the deadly Weils Disease bacteria in their urine and can introduce parasites such as fleas, lice and ticks into the home. Rats continue to be important food items in many countries and the large grass cutter rat is caught and raised for market sale in some African countries.