Rodents
Reproduction
Rodents have enormous reproductive potential and can bear young as frequently as every four weeks.
During their average life span of one year or less, rodents may wean about 20 young each. Breeding peaks for rodents often occur in the spring and fall. Rodents reach sexual maturity two to three months after birth.
Disease
Rodents and their fleas are capable of transmitting a variety of human diseases. Bubonic plague is the most serious of these maladies, and the potential of an outbreak could increase if rat populations are allowed to rise. Some of the diseases that are known to be found in rodents are:
Salmonellosis:
A bacterial food poisoning that may be transmitted when rodents contaminate food by contact with their feces or urine.
Leptospirosis:
A bacterial disease that may be contracted through contact of water or ingestion of food that has been contaminated with infected rodents and/or their urine.
Hantavirus:
A viral disease that may be contracted through the direct contact with or inhalation of aerosolized infected rodent urine, saliva or droppings.
Arenavirus:
A viral disease that may be contracted through the direct contact with or inhalation of aerosolized infected rodent urine, saliva or droppings.