2 Serious Illnesses Rodents Can Spread When They Enter A Home

Blog

Seeing a mouse scurry across your floor can be a frightening experience for many people, but having mice in your house poses more risks than just being scared. Mice can carry many types of diseases, and some of these diseases can spread to the people living in your house. If you have any type of rodent problem, get help from a professional exterminator fast so that you can avoid catching these two diseases carried by many types of rodents.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is something that is spread from ticks, and it can be deadly if left untreated. Lyme disease often begins with flu-like symptoms, but it can progressively worsen and lead to other health problems too, including nerve disorders.

With mice in your house, you are at risk for getting Lyme disease because ticks often attach themselves to mice. If a mouse carrying a tick comes into your home and the tick falls off the mouse, the tick could find its way to you or one of your family members. If this tick is carrying Lyme disease, it could transfer this disease to anyone in your home.

Salmonella

Salmonella is a dangerous form of food poisoning, and you might not realize that rodents can spread this disease to the people in your home. This disease is often spread from pet rodents, but wild rodents are also prone to carrying salmonella.

Salmonella causes diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever. It is often confused with the flu because the symptoms are similar, but it can lead to further problems if it is not treated properly.

Wild mice that carry salmonella can easily spread it through their feces and urine. If a mouse is carrying salmonella and it leaves droppings on your food, you could end up getting salmonella if you consume the infected food.

Mouse droppings and urine can also contain other illnesses and diseases. If you find mouse droppings in your home, you must clean the areas thoroughly to reduce your chances of contracting an illness from the rodents.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend doing the following things to keep your family safe after finding signs of rodent infestation:

1. Remove the droppings – make sure you remove all droppings and urine found in your home.
2. Sanitize the area – using bleach or any type of disinfectant on the areas will kill the germs present.
3. Discard any contaminated items – if you are not sure what items the mice were in, throw them all away, especially if these items are food.

Having mice inside your home is scary and disturbing, but it can also be dangerous for your health. If you need help getting rid of the rodents, call an exterminator today.

30 October 2014