Sharing your home with rodents, like mice and rats, is far from ideal. Not only are these animals unwanted, but they can be a health hazard to people inside the home. If you’re not sure if you need to take pest control measures to rid your home of rodents or prevent them from coming indoors, consider the following diseases they can carry.

What Diseases Are Transmitted From Rodents?

1. Hantavirus

As a life-threatening disease, hantavirus is one of the primary health concerns when a home is infested with outdoor mice. Infection occurs when people inhale or are exposed to saliva, urine, or droppings from white-footed deer mice.

The chances of exposure are significantly higher when people are around areas where the mice live. They can make nests indoors, but they are often found in outdoor storage sheds. Hantavirus symptoms can include dizziness, abdominal problems, and muscle aches.

2. Salmonellosis

Pest control measures are crucial for kitchens and food preparation areas because rodents can give people food poisoning. Salmonellosis is an illness that causes stomach aches and gastrointestinal problems.

Infection occurs when food is contaminated by mouse feces or urine. Though the food itself doesn’t have to come into direct contact with the rodent’s droppings, you can still get sick from unsanitized countertops and dishware.

3. Bubonic Plague

Most people think of the bubonic plague as a deadly disease from the Middle Ages, but it has not been completely eradicated. Though it is not a common illness, mice that have been bitten by an infected flea can transmit it to humans. Symptoms include headache, swollen and painful lymph nodes, and fever. 

Don’t risk your health if you have rodents in your home. Reach out to Bruce Terminix Service, the pest control company you can trust. For over 45 years, this pest control service has served clients throughout the St. Charles, MO, area. They offer a variety of affordable services, including bed bug treatment, mosquito control, and termite extermination. Their highly trained technicians will examine every inch of your property to ensure all pest problems are addressed. To schedule an appointment, call (636) 947-1452 or visit them online for more details.