Staying healthy during winter is no small feat, especially with the flu and cold season in full swing. On top of that, rodents pose an additional threat to both health and property during the colder months. It’s estimated that 21 million homes across the U.S. deal with rodent infestations each winter, creating problems far beyond a simple nuisance. As temperatures plummet, rodents seek warmth, food, and shelter indoors, often entering through tiny openings. The real dangers, however, are the potential for disease spread and serious damage to your property.
To protect your home and health, it’s crucial to contact a professional rodent exterminator at the first sign of an infestation.
Specific Illnesses Caused by Rats and Mice
Mice and rat feces can accumulate, spreading bacteria, contaminating food supplies, and causing allergic reactions in people. When the droppings dry, they pose an inhalation risk, making them even more dangerous. These droppings are capable of spreading various diseases and viruses, such as the ones below:
- Hantavirus: Hantavirus (HPS) is a potentially fatal respiratory illness caused by inhaling dust contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents, especially deer mice. Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, progressing to severe breathing difficulties as the lungs fill with fluid.
- Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection spread through water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, including rats. It can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches, and muscle pain, but in severe cases, it can lead to kidney or liver damage, meningitis, or respiratory distress.
- Salmonellosis: Rats and mice can spread salmonellosis by contaminating food or water with their feces. This bacterial infection causes gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, which can lead to dehydration, especially in young children or the elderly.
- Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis: Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCMV) is transmitted through exposure to the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents, particularly house mice. It can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, headaches, and muscle aches, and in more severe cases, it may lead to meningitis or encephalitis.
- Rat-Bite Fever: Rat-Bite Fever (RBF) is a bacterial disease transmitted through bites or scratches from infected rats or through contact with contaminated surfaces. Symptoms include fever, rash, vomiting, and joint pain. If left untreated, it can result in serious complications such as infections of the heart or brain.
- Plague: While rare today, rats (and their fleas) can still spread the plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. The plague can manifest in different forms, such as bubonic or pneumonic, with symptoms including fever, swollen lymph nodes, and severe respiratory problems.
Property Damage Caused by Rats and Mice
Rodents not only threaten health but also property, as they tend to destroy attic insulation and gnaw through walls, cardboard, wood, and even electrical wiring. This behavior is linked to up to 25 percent of house fires annually in the U.S. Given their rapid reproduction, a small rodent problem can quickly turn into a major infestation. Homeowners should prioritize prevention to keep these pests at bay. Warning signs include hearing scampering noises overhead, discovering droppings in unused areas, or finding gnawed food in the kitchen.
If you suspect an infestation, reach out to World Pest Control for expert treatment and reliable solutions.
Dangers of Rodents in Kansas Serving Sylvan Grove, KS
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