Mice Are So Little Yet So Dangerous To Your Health

How can such a small critter be such a big threat? One reason is that mice leave their feces everywhere they go. They'll leave them behind your kitchen cabinets, in the backs of your cabinet drawers, in the cabinet under your kitchen sink, on shelves in your pantry and more. Mice also leave feces where they nest. If a nest is created in your ventilation ducts, it can cause contaminants to become airborne and lead to respiratory illness. When they leave their feces in your food or on your dishes, it can lead to stomach illness. There are many ways mice feces can cause sickness and this ability to cause sickness can remain in your home even after you have trapped and removed mice. This is why it is so important to invest in professional rodent control. When you have a trusted pest management professional deal with your mouse problem, areas of contamination are tracked down and dealt with appropriately. And a pest management professional will also deal with the other health threats associated with a mouse infestation. Here's what you need to know.

Urine

Mice don't just cause contamination with their feces. Their urine can cause contamination. This is slightly more insidious because rodents can have urine on their fur. When they crawl over a cutting board, some silverware or a dish, they can leave invisible, disease-causing organisms. Since mice urinate where they sleep, the potential for urine contamination through contact with fur is a strong possibility.

Bacteria

Mice get into some pretty disgusting places. They'll crawl around in a dumpster, trash can, trash pile, sewer, compost heap, the dead carcass of an animal and more. When they do, they pick up harmful bacteria which can cling to their fur or become ingested when the mouse grooms itself. The frequent grooming of mice is one of the reasons their feces and urine are such a source of contamination.

Parasites

Mice don't come into your home alone; they bring parasites with them, such as tick, fleas, lice, mites and worms. This creates the potential for secondary disease threats such as Lyme diseases, meat allergy, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, tularemia, dysentery, leptospirosis and many more.

Mold

When mice chew holes in and out of your home, they can make a channel for rainwater to get in and cause wood rot. This can lead to an increase in pest activity but it also sets up the conditions for mold to take root. This can release molds spores into your home and lead to severe respiratory illness.

Fire

This is a threat that often gets overlooked. It is easy to understand that mice can cause bodily harm by spreading bacteria and pathogens but one of the greatest threats they present is their ability to cause a house fire. Mice chew a lot, and studies have shown that they chew through wires. If they severe a live wire, it can cause a spark and, where there is a spark, there can be a fire. If a fire breaks out in the middle of the night, it can lead to a loss of life.

Quick Guide for Rodent Control

Since mice can be so dangerous, it is important to learn about what types of rodents are common in South Carolina, learn how to recognize the warning signs of a mouse infestation inside your South Carolina home and become familiar with how to get rid of mice.

• There are many species of rodent in South Carolina. The three that give us the most trouble are common house mice, field mice, Norway rats and roof rats. These rodents have different behaviors, food preferences and harborage preferences. It is important to get to know them if you want to safeguard your home from infestation.
• When rodents get in, you may hear them scratching or chewing in your wall or vents. You may notice droppings or smell urine. You may see chew holes in walls or food packages. You may notice grease streaks on baseboards. And, if mice are your problem, you may see their tiny little footprints in dust or food particles on pantry shelves.
• The most effective way to get rid of rodents is with traps but keep in mind that trapping rodents is very difficult and removing rodents is only the beginning of dealing with this problem.

For comprehensive rodent control in Lexington and the surrounding South Carolina area, call the Original Bugman Pest Elimination Inc. Our expertly-trained pest control professionals know what is required to protect you and your family from the threat of mice and rats.