Rodents have lived alongside humans since the earliest days of civilization, and they continue to be a significant pest. Rats and mice eat human food and contaminate the house with their droppings. They are also very destructive and can chew through nearly anything, including a house’s walls and foundation. Although rodents are found anywhere humans live, a few places have had historically awful infestations. Here are some of the worst rodent infestations in history:
Medieval Europe
During the Crusades, Asian black rats began migrating into Europe in ever-increasing numbers. They brought along the fleas that carried the bubonic plague, which devastated Europe. Their numbers became so overwhelming that the profession of rat-catching had to be invented to deal with them.
Australia
When explorers began traveling to Australia, they inadvertently brought mice on their ships. The mice, facing few natural predators and plenty of easy food, began to reproduce rapidly, and to this day, they are found in tremendous swarms. Mice are responsible for millions of dollars in lost crops each year.
The Aleutian Islands
Like Australia, the Aleutian Islands were quickly infested by invasive rodents brought there by travelers in the 1780s. They wreaked havoc on the local ecology for centuries before eradicating it in 2010.
Orlando, Florida
The recent recession caused a wave of foreclosures, and rodents were happy to move into empty homes. Moreover, Orlando is home to many creeks, rivers, and ponds. These two factors have led to widespread infestation problems across Central Florida.
New York City
Few cities in the country are as well known for their rat populations as New York. These rodents dwell in the sewer systems, subway tunnels, city streets, residential areas, fast food diners, and anywhere else where food is easy to come by.
Deshnoke, India
A temple in the city of Deshnoke is home to 20,000 rats. However, unlike the other places on this list, the residents welcome these rodents and even worship them. This may be the only place in the world where having a rat nibble on your lunch is considered good luck.
If you’re looking for rat and mouse exterminators in Orlando, contact us today for a free quote. Acting now will save your home from meeting the fate of the places above.