Every winter, rodents get into about 21 million homes in the United States, which can be a bigger problem than just an annoyance. Keeping healthy in the winter is difficult because of the widespread viruses like the flu and the common cold. At this time of year, though, not many people think about the health and property risks that rodents pose.
Mice and rats, among others, seek out the warmth, food, and shelter of our homes throughout the winter months, and they often find their way through the tiniest of openings. The true danger, however, lies in the fact that these pests, once inside, can spread diseases and cause significant property damage.
Dry feces pose health risks to anyone who inhales them. Mice and rat waste can cause an outbreak of disease, pollute food supplies, and set off allergic reactions in humans. In addition, the illnesses and viruses listed below can be transmitted by rat and mouse droppings.
Health Risks with Mice
Hantavirus
Rodents, most frequently the white-footed deer mouse, are responsible for the fatal disease hantavirus. The chance of contracting an infection increases if a person is close to a rodent’s active living area and comes into contact with or breathes in infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that the first signs of the disease are tiredness, fever, and sore muscles.
Other adverse effects include gastrointestinal problems, colds, headaches, and vertigo. Last year, ten people became ill, three died after sleeping in tent cabins in Yosemite National Park and being exposed to the Hantavirus from infected deer mice.
Bubonic Plague
During the Middle Ages, the plague, also called the “Black Death,” killed one-third of Europe’s population. The plague was a highly contagious illness that sometimes killed people. The plague is spread when an infected flea bites a rat or mouse. It causes fever, headaches, and lymph nodes that are very big. In 2012, a young Colorado woman who was camping caught the virus.
Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis is caused by a bacterium that is usually found in the poop of rodents and can be caught by eating raw or undercooked food. According to WebMD, there are roughly 40,000 cases of Salmonella annually in the country. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain.
Rat-Bite Fever
Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a dangerous infection that can be spread by biting infected rats or mice or eating food contaminated by rodent waste. The CDC states that in 3–10 days following contact with an infected source, symptoms like fever, vomiting, headaches, rash, and muscle pain usually manifest.
Rats and mice can eat through attic insulation, wallboard, cardboard, wood, and even electrical wiring, which seriously threatens people’s health and property. According to estimates, rodents cause 25% of all home fires in the United States.
Rats have a high rate of reproduction, which means they can quickly go from being a minor annoyance to a serious issue. The best defense against these pests is prevention, so homeowners should prioritize it.
Working with mice exterminators
Exterminators won’t go up in a Ghostbusters suit and vaporize every mouse in the vicinity; instead, they’ll take the mice out of your house. That would merely serve as a band-aid solution. A certified exterminator will inspect your home for potential pest access points. Cracks and fissures allow pests like mice and rats entrance to your house.
They start by looking for any signs of damage on the house’s façade. Any gap that mice can use to enter your home through the exterior is a free pass. Another typical problem for rat control toronto is the interior gaps around windows. They will also examine the doors. Certainly, a mouse may get inside your house. Only if there is a break in it does this apply. Exterminators seal these entry points to keep mice from returning to their homes after being killed.
Mice removal secrets
There is no justification for delaying celebrations because rat traps are widely available. Professional mice exterminator toronto won’t leave your home looking like a battlefield. They use planned strategies to lure and kill mice. Exterminators use mouse and rat traps that are strategically placed throughout the home. Traps should never be near where people eat or assemble.
Mice often stay near where they entered and exited. These areas likely have baited traps and poison. Use rodenticides outside to eliminate mice. Even though traps can help, rodenticides should be used strategically. Follow up regularly. Pest control should be done once a month or more often as needed. If you want to keep mice and other rodents out of your home, a professional exterminator can help.
Conclusion
Droppings in unexpected locations, the smell of rotten food, and the sound of scrambling above their heads are further indications of rats that homeowners should watch out for. If you think there might be an infestation, a pest control expert can help you figure out what to do.
