Rodent Awareness: The Danger
Last week, we examined the red flags and prevention techniques to avoid a rodent infestation in our blog Rodent Awareness Week: Red Flag and Prevention Techniques. This week we are examining why being vigilant against an infestation is a smart idea. The health and safety of the people living in your home is vitally important. Let's examine the danger of having these pests living in the same space as humans. The Risks Rodents pose a number of health risks to you and your family. Our nation currently faces a growing level of mice and rat infestations in our cities and towns. More than 1/3 of American homeowners (37%) have seen a rodent in their home in the past year. Rats and mice are known to spread more than 35 diseases. These diseases can be spread to humans directly, through handling of live or dead rodents, through contact with rodent feces, urine, or saliva, and through rodent bites. In addition to contracting diseases from touching or living around these rodents, diseases can be spread from the mites, ticks, and bugs that feast on rats and mice. The most common danger of having a rodent infestation is the spread of food-borne illnesses like Salmonella, as rodents contaminate surfaces throughout the house and will look to get into your kitchen cabinets and food prep areas. Other diseases include:
- hantavirus,
- salmonella,
- allergies & asthma,
- tularemia,
- plague,
- rat bite fever,
- lymphocytic choriomeningitis
- leptospirosis
These diseases put you and your family at serious risk for falling ill. Along with this worry, rodents can track in other pests from outside like fleas and ticks. This opens up your family to a variety of other disease and risk factors. Needless to say, rodents are dangerous to your home and your loved ones, and should be handled by professionals. If you suspect a rodent infestation, call Pest-End Exterminators at 1-800-287-4321, 603-382-9644, or 978-794-4321.
