No pest infestation is pleasant, but some are worse than others. While some household pests don't spread diseases, the same is not true for mice. House mice can give you and your family a wide variety of very dangerous diseases, so it's important to get rid of the infestation as quickly as possible. Here are three diseases you can get from a house-mice infestation and how to protect yourself.
Hantavirus
Hantavirus is a well-known disease that is spread by mice. Its causes flu-like symptoms at first, but it can also lead to severe breathing problems that can kill you. The bacteria that causes this disease can be found in droppings or urine, but it can also be found in nesting materials like chewed up paper.
The risk of getting hantavirus is greatest when you're in an enclosed area where mice have been active. For example, if you are cleaning out your garage and mice are nesting in the walls or roof, you can get sick.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is another serious disease that you could get from your unwanted houseguests. Leptospirosis causes flu-like symptoms, but sometimes it can lead to more serious problems like liver or kidney failure. It can also lead to miscarriages in pregnant women. Since this disease is spread by urine from infected mice, you're at risk if your house is infested with mice.
Mice do not urinate in a toilet like humans do; instead, they urinate indiscriminately and will contaminate many surfaces in your home. For example, they may urinate on your kitchen counter, and if you then prepare food on your counter, you could get sick.
Plague
Plague is often thought of as a medieval disease, but it still exists today, and it can be spread by house mice. House mice attract fleas, and when these fleas feed on infected mice, they become infected themselves. These fleas may then feed on you or one of your family members, and then you can get sick as well.
There are a few different types of plague, but they're all very serious and can even kill you. In the modern era, treatments are available, but it's best to avoid getting sick in the first place by getting rid of your mouse infestation. A pest-control company can also help you get rid of the fleas that were attracted by the mice.
Protection
As soon as you notice a mouse inside your house, you need to call a pest-control company. There is no such thing as a house with just one mouse, so if you see one, assume that their large family is somewhere nearby. Mice like to hide in places where you can't easily see them, like inside your walls or in your attic, so by the time you see one out in the open, you should assume that all of the hidden areas of your home are already full of mice.
While your home is undergoing treatment for the infestation, make sure to clean exposed surfaces regularly, especially before you prepare food or eat. You may not notice that surfaces have been contaminated with urine, so wipe down kitchen counters, tables, and other similar surfaces frequently.
Once the pest-control company has gotten rid of the mice, there is still a lot of work to do. All of those mice leave feces and urine all over the house, and since this waste carries bacteria, it needs to be cleaned up promptly. When you're cleaning, make sure to protect yourself with gloves, goggles, a respirator, rubber boots, and disposable clothing.
If you've spotted a mouse inside your house, call a pest-control company right away to protect your health. Click here for info about pest-control companies.
