Mice pose various risks to a homeowner’s property because they are notorious for chewing through insulation, furniture, and even electrical wires, which can lead to fires. But some people wonder, “Do mice carry diseases?” and if so, what diseases do mice carry?
Unfortunately, yes, mice cause significant risks to human health because of the feces, urine, and saliva they leave behind in a home. Mice commonly contaminate food, water, and the air, making you sick and exacerbating existing health conditions, like asthma.
Here is a discussion of how diseases from mice to humans spread and how to prevent contracting diseases from mice.
What Diseases Do Mice Carry?
One of the most common diseases transmitted by mice is hantavirus, which can lead to lung failure and death. Humans contract this disease by inhaling air contaminated by rodents, eating contaminated food, or being bitten or scratched by a mouse.
Other common diseases caused by mice include leptospirosis, a bacterial infection, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis, a viral infection. Throughout history, mice have spread plague, a bacterial infection, and salmonella, a type of food-poisoning bacteria.
It is possible to get tapeworm and ringworm from mice. They can also spread fleas and ticks that carry Lyme disease and tularemia.
How to Avoid Diseases from Mice
The best way to avoid worrying about what diseases mice carry is to prevent them from taking up residence in your home. Make sure that your home is free from food crumbs and that food is stored in airtight containers. Promptly clean up spills and ensure proper ventilation in attics and basements where mice activity is common.
If you discover mice nests or evidence of droppings, clean them up carefully using gloves and bleach to prevent the spread of potential viruses and bacteria. It is highly recommended that you contact a professional extermination company like Precise Termite and Pest Control to handle the mouse infestation so that you don’t put your health at risk.
Are You at Risk of Diseases from Mice to Humans?
A significant difference exists between having just a mouse or two around the house and living with a full-blown infestation. Mice tend to stay hidden during the day and become active at night. Yet signs of a large mice infestation include loud scratching noises, extensive nesting materials, and many droppings. If you notice many items chewed throughout your house, such as packaged food boxes and electrical wires, you are at a heightened risk of disease.
Professional Help with Disease-Carrying Mice
Fortunately, Precise Termite & Pest Control is skilled and experienced in handling mice problems of all types and sizes. We offer prompt, effective, and affordable mice control solutions that keep you and your family safe from health risks. Mice are disease-carrying rodents that require professional help to address the root cause of the infestation and a multi-pronged strategy to prevent their return.
For your free mice inspection, please contact us online or call us at 866-971-2847.
Before your extermination appointment, you can prepare by clearing household items away from areas with rodent activity, patching noticeable holes and cracks, and preparing a list of questions for your extermination professional. We look forward to helping you stay safe and healthy in your home by getting rid of existing mice and preventing future mice issues.