After rats, the common house mouse is the second most destructive vertebrate in the world. Rodents spread a wide variety of serious diseases, including salmonellosis, plague, leptospirosis, hantaviruses and rickettsial pox. Rodents consume and contaminate significant percentages of the world's food supply every year. Rodents carry fleas and other parasites into buildings. Rodents cause a great deal of anxiety for occupants of infested buildings.
Rodents cause extensive economic damage by gnawing on structures and wiring, causing fires.
Look for these common signs. They may indicate an infestation of rodents. Droppings and urine are left wherever rodents travel or rest, especially in corners. Dark smears or rub marks are left on surfaces, caused by oil from rodents' hair as they move throughout their territories. Footprints and tail drags may be seen in dusty locations.