How are rats harmful? - briefly
Rats spread pathogens—including leptospirosis, hantavirus, and salmonellosis—through urine, feces, and bites, creating significant public‑health threats. Their constant gnawing damages electrical wiring, structural insulation, and stored food supplies, leading to fire hazards and economic loss.
How are rats harmful? - in detail
Rats transmit a wide range of pathogens that cause serious illnesses in humans and livestock. Commonly associated diseases include:
- Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread through contaminated urine.
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, transmitted by inhalation of aerosolized droppings.
- Salmonellosis, resulting from ingestion of food contaminated with feces.
- Plague, caused by Yersinia pestis carried by fleas that infest the rodents.
- Rat‑bite fever, a bacterial infection entering through bite wounds.
Beyond health hazards, the animals inflict structural damage. Their incisors continuously grow, prompting persistent gnawing of wood, plastic, and insulation. This activity compromises building integrity, creates entry points for other pests, and may expose wiring, increasing the risk of electrical fires.
Food supplies suffer contamination when rats infiltrate storage areas. Their urine and feces introduce toxins and microbes, rendering produce, grain, and processed goods unsafe for consumption. The presence of droppings also attracts insects that further degrade food quality.
Economic losses arise from the combined effect of disease outbreaks, repair costs, and product spoilage. Industries such as agriculture, food processing, and public health allocate substantial resources to control measures, monitoring, and remediation following infestations.