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Rodents are considered one of the most dangerous pests to your health because of their ability to transmit potentially deadly diseases to humans and other animals. Some of these diseases are spread through direct contact with rodents or their urine, droppings, or saliva. Others are transmitted indirectly through parasites like fleas and ticks that infest rodents.
Rodent infestations aren’t just about the noise or mess they create. Mice and rats can pose a significant public health threat due to the diseases they carry. Rodents often leave droppings, urine, and saliva as they travel through your home or property, contaminating food, surfaces, and nesting materials. Direct contact with these contaminated areas or rodents can expose you to dangerous illnesses.
In addition, rodents can introduce parasites like fleas and ticks into your home, spreading other infectious diseases. It’s not just a matter of bites or scratches—rodents and their waste can expose you to harmful bacteria and viruses simply by being present in your space.
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Rodents can spread diseases to humans in several ways, making infestations a serious health concern. One common transmission method is direct contact. Touching rodent urine, feces, saliva, or even their nesting materials can expose you to harmful pathogens, leading to infection.
Another way diseases are spread is through contaminated food and surfaces. Rodents often leave droppings, urine, or saliva as they move around, and if this contamination reaches your food or surfaces, it can easily lead to illness if ingested. Rarely, rodent bites can transmit diseases like rat-bite fever.
In addition to direct contact and bites, rodents often carry parasites like fleas, mites, and ticks. These parasites can spread serious diseases, including typhus, plague, and tularemia. Finally, diseases can also be transmitted through airborne particles. Inhaling dust contaminated by rodent droppings or urine can lead to infections like hantavirus, a potentially deadly illness.
Though rats and mice can spread all sorts of bacteria. Each is dangerous to your health, especially without prompt medical attention. Here are the common rodent-related diseases in Georgia and their associated symptoms:
Hantavirus is a severe illness that spreads through contact with rodent urine, droppings,or saliva, particularly from deer mice. When these rodents infest homes or buildings, they leave behind contaminated waste that can become airborne when disturbed, such as during cleaning or construction. This airborne exposure can result in Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe and often life-threatening respiratory illness. Early symptoms of HPS include fever, chills, muscle aches, and fatigue, which can easily be mistaken for the flu.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by the Leptospira bacterium. It commonly spreads through contact with the urine of infected rodents, mainly rats. This bacterium can contaminate water, soil, or food and survive in wet environments. People are typically exposed through contaminated water or soil, especially through cuts or abrasions or by consuming or coming into contact with the bacteria. Early symptoms include fever, muscle pain, and headaches, often resembling the flu.
In more severe cases, leptospirosis can lead to serious complications like kidney damage, liver failure, or meningitis. Preventive measures include avoiding contact with potentially contaminated water or soil, wearing protective gear in high-risk areas, and maintaining good sanitation.
Salmonella is a bacterial infection commonly associated with contaminated food and water, but rodents are also known carriers of this dangerous bacterium. Rodents can harbor salmonella in their digestive systems, and as they move through your home, they spread the bacteria through their feces, contaminating surfaces, food, and even water sources. If someone ingests food or comes into contact with surfaces contaminated by rodent feces, they can develop salmonellosis, the illness caused by salmonella. Common symptoms of this infection include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and vomiting, which usually appear within 6 to 72 hours after exposure. While many cases resolve on their own, more severe infections may require medical intervention, especially in vulnerable individuals like the elderly, young children, or those with weakened immune systems. Maintaining a clean home and adequately storing food in airtight containers can significantly reduce the risk of salmonella contamination from rodents.
House mice primarily carry Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV), although other rodents can transmit it. Humans typically become infected through direct contact with rodent urine, feces, or nesting materials or by inhaling particles contaminated by these substances. LCMV infection often starts with flu-like symptoms like fever, headache, and nausea In more severe cases, it can lead to neurological issues like meningitis (inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord) or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Pregnant women who contract LCMV can face serious risks, including miscarriage or birth defects. While some cases are mild and resolve independently, severe infections require medical attention to prevent long-term complications.
Though often associated with the historical outbreaks of the Middle Ages, the plague still exists in some parts of the world today, and infected rats primarily spread it through their fleas. The plague manifests in different forms, the most common being bubonic, which causes swollen and painful lymph nodes, fever, and chills. Another form, the pneumonic plague, is a severe respiratory infection that can be transmitted from person to person and is often fatal if not treated quickly.
Tularemia, also known as “rabbit fever,” is a bacterial infection that can be spread through contact with rodents or bites from infected ticks, mites, or fleas. People can also contract the disease by handling infected animals or inhaling dust from contaminated areas. Tularemia symptoms vary depending on how the bacteria enter the body, but common signs include fever, ulcers at the site of infection, and swollen lymph nodes. In more serious cases, it can lead to respiratory issues, and if left untreated, tularemia can become life-threatening.
If you’ve recently come into contact with a rodent or their droppings and experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
To reduce the risk of rodent-borne diseases, proactive measures must be taken to manage potential infestations and maintain a clean, safe environment.
Maintaining cleanliness is the first line of defense against rodent infestations. Rodents are drawn to accessible food and water sources. Keeping your home free of crumbs, spilled food, and garbage can help deter them. Clean countertops, store food in airtight containers, and regularly sweep or vacuum to remove food sources that might attract rodents.
Mice and rats can squeeze through even the most minor cracks and holes. Regularly inspect your home for potential entry points, including gaps around doors, windows, vents, and utility pipes. Seal these openings with durable materials like steel wool or caulk to prevent rodents from entering.
Proper waste management is critical in keeping rodents away. Ensure that trash is sealed in tightly covered bins and that waste is regularly removed from your property. Compost piles and yard debris should be kept away from your home, as these areas can provide shelter and food for wild rodents.
For those looking to learn more about protecting their homes, we offer helpful resources such as our rodent identification guides, rodent prevention guides, and rodent treatment guides. These guides can provide valuable knowledge to further your understanding of rodent control.
Whether you have an infestation or you want to protect your property from getting rodents in the first place, the team at Active Pest Control is here to help with our professional rodent pest control solutions. Our professionals can thoroughly inspect your property to identify entry points, nesting areas, and the extent of the infestation to create a custom treatment plan. With our tools and experience, we’ll quickly and safely eliminate your rodent problem, so you don’t have to worry. Call us today to schedule your appointment!
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